Chemotherapy PDF

CHEMOTHERAPY JOEM O. GREGORIO, RN, MN What is chemotherapy? Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment. It uses drugs to destroy cancer cells and prevent tumor growth. It may be paired with other cancer treatments such as radiation therapy or surgery. Chemotherapy is usually given intr...

CHEMOTHERAPY JOEM O. GREGORIO, RN, MN What is chemotherapy? Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment. It uses drugs to destroy cancer cells and prevent tumor growth. It may be paired with other cancer treatments such as radiation therapy or surgery. Chemotherapy is usually given intravenously (through a vein). It’s an effective treatment but can cause side effects. How does chemotherapy work? Cancer cells grow and divide uncontrollably. Chemotherapy destroys the cancer cells and prevents them from multiplying. Chemotherapy can be use in different ways: Adjuvant therapy: Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells after surgery or radiation therapy. Curative therapy: Chemotherapy (which may also include radiation and/or surgery) eliminates the cancer, and it doesn’t return. Neoadjuvant therapy: Chemotherapy shrinks a tumor before surgery or radiation therapy. Palliative therapy: Chemotherapy shrinks tumors and lessens symptoms but doesn’t cure the cancer. Site for Chemotherapy Treatment Intravenously (IV), or through a vein as an “infusion.” Most people receive chemo through an IV. As an injection, or a shot. Orally, as a pill or liquid that you swallow. Topically, as a cream that you rub into your skin. Specific Delivery of Chemotherapy Intra-arterial chemotherapy: Goes into a single artery that supplies blood to a tumor. Intracavitary chemotherapy: Goes directly into a body cavity, such as your bladder or belly. One form is hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy It puts heated chemotherapy in your abdomen after surgery. Intrathecal chemotherapy: Goes into the area between your brain and spinal cord. Intravenous Chemotherapy Needle: Usually in your arm. Catheter: A thin, flexible tube attached to a vein (usually in your chest). Port: A small disc inserted under the skin. A catheter attaches to the port to deliver chemotherapy. Port placement requires minor surgery. Pump: A device that attaches to a catheter or port that controls the amount of the chemotherapy drug you receive Side effect of Chemotherapy Anemia Bleeding. Constipation Diarrhea Fatigue Hair Loss Infection. Loss of appetite. Nausea and Vomiting Late effects of chemotherapy Cognitive (memory and thinking) issues, also called “chemo brain.” Early Menopause Cardiotoxicity, or heart problems caused by cancer treatment. Neuropathy, or symptoms of nerve damage. Infertility. TYPES OF CHEMOTHERAPY Alkylating agents. These drugs damage cell DNA, which is genetic material in charge of growth and development. This prevents cancer cells from multiplying. Alkylating agents are the oldest and most common type of chemotherapy. Example Altretamine, Bendamustine, Busulfan, Carboplatin, Chlorambucil, Cisplatin, Cyclophosphamide, Dacarbazine, Ifosfamide, Mechlorethamine, Melphalan, Oxaliplatin, Procarbazine, Temozolomide, Thiotepa, Trabectedin  Nitrosoureas are a special kind of alkylating agent. They can enter your brain and attack tumors there. This makes them effective for treating some brain cancers. Examples include: Carmustine Lomustine Streptozocin Antimetabolites. These stop cells from making DNA for new cancer cells. Common antimetabolites include: Example: 5-fluorouracil, 6-mercaptopurine, Azacitidine, Capecitabine, Cladribine, Clofarabine, Cytarabine, Decitabine, Floxuridine, Fludarabine, Gemcitabine, Hydroxyurea, Methotrexate, Nelarabine, Pemetrexed, Pentostatin, Pralatrexate, Thioguanine, Trifluridine/tipiracil combination Topoisomerase inhibitors. This kind of chemotherapy drug stops a protein called topoisomerase from working. Topoisomerase helps cells copy their DNA, allowing them to multiply into new cells. If topoisomerase doesn’t work, cancer cells can’t multiply. Common ones include: Example: Etoposide Irinotecan Irinotecan liposomal Mitoxantrone Teniposide Topotecan  Antitumor antibiotics. This kind of chemotherapy drug stops cells from copying their DNA, so they can't multiply. Some drugs also damage DNA. Example: Bleomycin Dactinomycin Daunorubicin Doxorubicin Doxorubicin liposomal Epirubicin Idarubicin Mitomycin-C Mitoxantrone Valrubicin REFERENCES: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16859- chemotherapy https://www.webmd.com/cancer/chemotherapy-what-to- expect