How to treat cancer Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is radical treatment?
Treatment with curative intent that aims to eradicate a tumour
What is palliative treatment?
Non-curative treatment that aims to improve symptoms/quality of life and prolong life
What is adjuvant treatment?
Treatment given after surgery that aims to reduce the risk of recurrence
What is neo-adjuvant treatment?
Treatment given before surgery, usually to shrink a tumour before surgical removal
What is overall survival?
Time alive
What is disease free survival?
Time without any symptoms or signs of cancer
What is progression free survival?
Time living with cancer that is not getting worse
What is local control?
Time without recurrence or progression at a specific tumour site
What are the possible treatment end points?
Overall survival
Disease free survival
Progression free survival
Local control
What are the types of treatment?
Radical
Palliative
Adjuvant
Neo-adjuvant
What is the mechanism of action of chemotherapy drugs?
They stop cancer cells reproducing
What is the mechanism of action of alkylating agents?
Attach an alkyl group to DNA
What is the mechanism of action of platinum salts?
DNA cross-linking
What is the mechanism of action of anti-metabolites?
Interfere with DNA/RNA growth
What is the mechanism of action of taxanes?
Mitotic inhibitors
What is the mechanism of action of anthracyclines?
Interfere with enzymes for DNA copying
What is the mechanism of action of topoisomerase inhibitors?
Prevent DNA strands unwinding
What are side effects of chemotherapy?
General (malaise, fatigue, lethargy) Alopecia GI (diarrhoea, nausea, mucositis/mouth ulcers, altered taste) Haematological (neutropenia/low neutrophil count, thrombocytopenia/low platelets) Peripheral neuropathy Renal/liver impairment Nail changes Fertility changes, menopause
What is the mechanism of action of radiotherapy?
Causing a double-stranded break in DNA to prevent cells from dividing and cause cell death
What are acute radiotherapy side effects?
Fatigue
Erythema/desquamation (reddening and peeling of the skin)
Head and neck (mucositis, pain, odynophagia (pain when swallowing))
Pelvis (diarrhoea, cystitis (inflammation of the bladder))
Thorax/abdomen (oesophagi’s, nausea/vomiting)
What are late radiotherapy side effects?
Skin fibrosis/ulceration Dysphagia Bowel dysfunction Incontinence Bladder instability Pneumonitis (cough, dyspnoea) Menopause Infertility Secondary cancer
What is a radiotherapy prescription measured in?
Grays
