Download Drugs Affecting Neoplasms Teresa Peck BSN, RN October 2007

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Drugs Affecting
Neoplasms
Teresa Peck BSN, RN
October 2007
Cancer
Disorder of cellular growth, life span and death
Abnormal cells multiply, lose ability to function normally
Abnormal cells invade tissue and develop growths
Treatments for Cancer
Combinations of:
SURGERY
RADIATION
CHEMOTHERAPY
IMMUNOTHERAPY
The Cell Cycle
Antineoplastic Drugs
Also called Chemotherapuetic agents, or Anticancer drugs
Admistered for cure, control or palliation
GOALS
 Dosing large enough to be cytotoxic, tolerable for normal cells
 Control of the disease
Antineoplastic Drugs cont….
Chemotherapy most effective when___________.
Type of drug based on type cancer, size staging-BIOPSIES
Cell Cycle Specific Drugs
Drug is toxic in a specific phase of cell growth
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Best response in fast growing cancers
Cell Cycle-nonspecific Drugs
Drugs active throughout cell life cycle
Are dose dependent
Work best on slow-growing cancers
Combination Therapy
Utilizes cell cycle-specific and cell cycle-nonspecific agents together
Most effective
HOW CHEMOTHERAPY GIVEN
Intravenous-usually ports
Orally
Implanted
Intramuscularly
Major Groups Chemotherapuetic
Agents
Alkylating Agents
Antimetabolites
Natural Products
Antineoplastic Antibiotics
Hormones
Major Groups Chemotherapuetic
Agents
Targeted Anticancer agents
Chemoprotective Agents
Bone Marrow Stimulants
Nurses and Chemotherapy Drugs
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Avoid inhalation of aerosols
Chemo gloves
Disposal of all waste into appropriate containers (yellow)
Universal Precautions
ALKYLATING AGENTS
Largest group of anticancer drugs
Cell cycle-nonspecific
Affect all phases of the cell cycle
Side effects
Uses
PAGE 717-718
Antimetabolites
Oldest group of anticancer drugs
Cell Cycle-specific
Uses
See Table 44-1
Side effects
ANTINEOPLASTIC ANTIBIOTICS
Cell Cycle-nonspecific
Inhibits protein and RNA synthesis and binds DNA
Uses
Side effects
See Page 719-720
HORMONES
Groups
Corticosteroids
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Estrogens
Progestins
Androgens
Uses
Reduce edema
Leukemia, lymphomas
Palliative
Cancer of sexual organs
Natural Products
Cell Cycle-specific
Block the formation of the MITOTIC SPINDLE during mitosis, thus preventing cell division
Side effects
Chemoprotective Agents
Bone Marrow Stimulants
Used to enhance body’s immune system
See Table 44-3, 44-4
KNOW Procrit, Epogen-RBC
Neupogen-WBC
Review Questions
Why do we give Procrit to cancer patients receiving chemotherapy?
Tell me the goals of chemotherapy.
Alkylating agents are Cell Cycle-________________.
Review Drug Tables in book