11.1 Chemotherapy

Question 1

relevance of G0 to chemo agents

Answer 1

won’t work, as cell not actively dividing

Question 2

growth fraction

Answer 2

proportion of cells dividing at any given time

big= sensitive to chemo

Question 3

link tumour volume to growth fraction

Answer 3

small tumour = big growth fraction

Question 4

name 3 cytotoxic agents (chemo) and their action

Answer 4

1. antimetabolites- prevent DNA synthesis
2. alkylating agents- affect DNA by cross linking strands, so DNA cant replicate, single strand break then double then apoptosis
3. spindle poisons- affect mitosis

Question 5

how do platinum compounds act as chemo agents?

Answer 5

form inter and intra stand adducts so DNA synthesis inhibited

Question 6

5 fluorouracil is an antimetabolite, describe how it works

Answer 6

inhibits thymidylate synthase, so cant incorporate pyrimidines to DNA

Question 7

methotrexate is an antimetabolite, describe how it works

Answer 7

inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, cant form purines or amino acids

Question 8

spindle poison examples are vinca alkaloids and taxanes. how do each work

Answer 8

vinca- inhibit polymerisation so no formation of microtubules

taxanes- inhibit disassembly of microtubules

Question 9

which chemo drugs really cause hair loss?

Answer 9

doxorubicin, vinca alkaloids, taxains, cyclophosphamide

Question 10

which chemo drugs don’t cause much hair loss

Answer 10

platinum

Question 11

what method could help reduce scalp hair loss?

Answer 11

scalp cooling

Question 12

local results of chemo skin toxicity

Answer 12

thrombophelibiits
extrvasation

Question 13

general results of chemo skin toxicity

Answer 13

bleomycin
-hyperkeratosis
-hyperpigmentation
-ulcerated pressure sores

doxorubicin
-hyperpigmentation

Question 14

cardio toxicity of doxorubicin

Answer 14

cardiomyopathy
arrhythmias

Question 15

important to remember if patient has breathing difficulty on bleomycin for their testicular cancer

Answer 15

don’t give o2, as can worsen pulmonary fibrosis (collagen deposition)

Question 16

types of IV pump

Answer 16

peripheral inserted central line (PICC)

Hickman line

Question 17

why might ascites affect drug distribution (1) and protein binding (2)

Answer 17

1. chemo drug goes into fluid, not eliminated = toxicity
2. low albumin as patient feels full so won’t eat