Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy

What is the mortality rate associated with the condition discussed?

Chemotherapy patients should always be screened for sepsis using the NEWS2 tool.

What common side effect might a patient experience after receiving radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy works by damaging the DNA of the ______.

Match the following symptoms to their corresponding treatments or actions:

Which type of cancer primarily affects blood cells?

1 in 2 people will get cancer.

What is one common side effect of chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is used to treat and kill __________ cells.

Match the following types of cancer with their descriptions:

Which of the following is a potential complication of chemotherapy?

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy cannot be combined in treatment.

Name one side effect associated with chemotherapy related to the immune system.

Understanding Cancer

Over 200 different types of cancer exist.
Approximately 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.

Main Types of Cancer

Carcinomas: Affect skin or tissues lining organs.
Lymphomas: Involve immune system cells.
Leukaemia: Affects blood cells.
Brain Tumours: Impacts the Central Nervous System.
Sarcomas: Involve connective tissues such as bones and muscles.

Chemotherapy Treatment

Chemotherapy aims to kill cancer cells or prevent their spread.
Often used in conjunction with radiotherapy.

Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Common side effects include:
- Persistent fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Hair loss
- Increased infection risk due to lowered immune response
- Sore mouth
- Dry or itchy skin
- Gastrointestinal issues (diarrhoea or constipation)

Neutropenic Sepsis

A potentially fatal complication post-chemotherapy.
Has a mortality rate up to 21%.
Important to suspect in patients with recent chemotherapy (within 6 weeks) and presenting with illness.

Management of Neutropenic Sepsis

Utilize the LAS sepsis screening and NEWS2 tools.
Notify receiving hospital for potential patient isolation needs.

Radiotherapy

Involves the use of radiation, typically X-rays.
About 50% of cancer patients will receive radiotherapy as part of their treatment.
Works by damaging DNA in both cancer and normal cells.

Side Effects of Radiotherapy

Common side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Skin irritation (soreness, redness, or darker skin)

Management of Symptoms

Manage side effects through symptom relief strategies.
Maintain open communication with the care team for ongoing support.

This quiz covers key components of cancer treatment, focusing on chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Understand the common types of cancer, treatment methodologies, potential side effects, and management considerations, including neutropenic sepsis. This comprehensive review helps assess your knowledge of oncological care.