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Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer
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Page 1: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Chapter 40

Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer

Page 2: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

40 - 2

Cancer

Broad term A group of diseases characterized by

uncontrolled cellular growth Invasion into surrounding tissue

Metastasis Cancer spreads to other areas in the body

Page 3: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

40 - 3

Etiology of Cancer

Remains a mystery Could be:

Environment Lifestyle Occupation Genetic and ethnic factors

Age- and sex-related differences

Page 4: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

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Cell Growth Cycle

Normal cells and cancer cells go through five distinct growth phase cycles

1. Go, resting phase

2. G1, first growth

3. S, DNA synthesis phase

4. G2, second growth phase

5. M, mitosis phase Cancer cells divide rapidly.

Page 5: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

40 - 5

Treatment Considerations

Growth fraction The fraction of cells that are in active

phases Mitotic index

Percentage of cells undergoing mitosis Antineoplastics most effective when the

growth fraction and mitotic index are high

(continues)

Page 6: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

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Treatment Considerations

Cancer stage when it is discovered Efficacy of the cancer treatment Development of drug resistance General health of the client

(continued)

Page 7: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

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Antineoplastics

Divided into two groups1. Cell cycle nonspecific (CCNS)2. Cell cycle specific (CCS)

CCNS effective against slow-growing cancer cells

CCS effective against fast-growing cancer cells

Page 8: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

40 - 8

Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer

Alkylating agents Antimetabolites Mitotic inhibitors Antibiotics Hormones

(continues)

Page 9: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

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Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer

Radioactive drugs Biologic-response modifiers Miscellaneous agents Combination therapy Adjuvant agents

(continues)

(continued)

Page 10: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

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Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer

Alkylating agents: cell cycle nonspecific Antimetabolites: cell cycle specific in the

S phase Mitotic inhibitors: cell cycle specific in

the M phase

(continued)

Page 11: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

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Antineoplastic Agents

Affect all cells, both healthy and sick Dose-limiting effects

Hair falls out Cells in the gastrointestinal tract die Nausea and vomiting occur; emetic

potential Myleosuppression

Nadir: lowest point for the bone marrow cells

Page 12: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

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Antineoplastics: Adverse/Side Effects

Common Fever, chills, headache, nausea, and

vomiting Serious

Bronchospasm, dyspnea, hypotension, and angioedema

Page 13: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

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Combination Therapy

Use of several antineoplastic agents at the same time

Proven effectiveness Rationale of using combination therapy

Have a more beneficial effect than when used alone

Each agent exhibits different actions and toxicities

Page 14: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

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Adjuvant Agents

Antiemetics Ondansetron HCl (Zofran)

Rescue agents Mesna Leucovorin

Blood-forming agents Epoetin alfa (Procrit)

Page 15: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

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Nursing Implications

During administration of the antineoplastic:

Provide significant hydration to prevent nephrotoxicity

Provide periodic monitoring of heart and lung function

Page 16: Chapter 40 Agents Used in the Treatment of Cancer.

Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

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Legal and Ethical Principles

To avoid errors Standardized, preprinted order forms

Nurses Physicians Pharmacists