Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy L3 PDF

Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy – Component 5 © Department of Clinical Education & 1 Standards Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy - Component 5 Objective Have an understanding of common types of cancer Have an...

Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy – Component 5 © Department of Clinical Education & 1 Standards Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy - Component 5 Objective Have an understanding of common types of cancer Have an understanding of radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment Potential side effects following treatment Be aware of neutropenic sepsis Management considerations © Department of Clinical Education & 2 Standards Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy - Component 5 Cancer 200 different types of cancer 1 in 2 people will get cancer © Department of Clinical Education & 3 Standards Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy - Component 5 Main types Carcinomas - Skin or tissues that line organs Lymphomas - Cells of the immune system Leukaemia - Blood Brain Tumours - Central Nervous System Sarcomas - Connective or supportive tissues such as bone, cartilage, fat and muscles © Department of Clinical Education & 4 Standards Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy - Component 5 Chemotherapy Treatment Chemotherapy is used to treat and kill the cancer cells or to stop these cells from spreading further throughout the body. Can be combined with radiotherapy. © Department of Clinical Education & 5 Standards Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy - Component 5 Side effects Feeling tired most of the time. Feeling sick or vomiting. Hair loss. Increased risk of infections due to lower immune system. Sore mouth Dry or itchy skin. Diarrhoea or constipation © Department of Clinical Education & 6 Standards Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy - Component 5 Neutropenic Sepsis Potentially fatal complication of cancer treatment such as chemotherapy. Carries a mortality rate as high as 21% Always suspect this when going to an unwell patient who has had chemotherapy within the last 6 weeks. © Department of Clinical Education & 7 Standards Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy - Component 5 Management Follow the LAS sepsis screening and NEWS2 tool Inform the receiving hospital as they may need to put patient into isolation. © Department of Clinical Education & 8 Standards Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy - Component 5 Radiotherapy Use of radiation usually X-rays 50% of people with have radiotherapy at some point during their treatment. Works by damaging the DNA of the cells but also affects normal cells. © Department of Clinical Education & 9 Standards Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy - Component 5 Side effects Tiredness Sore, red or darker than normal skin © Department of Clinical Education & 10 Standards Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy - Component 5 Management Manage their symptoms Talk to their care team Convey if needed © Department of Clinical Education & 11 Standards Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy - Component 5 Questions? © Department of Clinical Education & 12 Standards