Radiation &
Chemotherapy
Mechanism of action
Side Effects
Drug Examples
100
Used to interrupt cancer's cellular growth causing cells to either die or be unable to divide

What is Radiation Therapy?

100

This group interferes with cell division - mitosis

What is the mechanism of action of Mitotic inhibitors?

100

Feminine and masculinizing effects

What are major side-effects of Hormone Manipulation medications (Agonists, Antagonists, Inhibitors)?

100

Methotrexate (Mexate), Floxuridine (FUDR)

What are examples of Antimetabolites? 

200

Systemic treatment that damages DNA and interferes with cell division and cellular regulation.

What is Chemotherapy? 

200

Damages the cell's DNA and interrupts DNA &/or RNA synthesis

What is the mechanism of action of Antineoplastic Antibiotics?

200

Cholinergic Diarrhea

What is a major side-effect of Topoisomerase Inhibitors? 

200

Mesna (Mesnex), Filgrastim (Neupogen), Epoetin (Procrit)

What are examples of Biological Response Modifiers? 

300

Alopecia, altered taste, anorexia, inflammatory & reproductive changes, bone marrow suppression.

What are side effects of Radiation therapy? 

300

Creates a counterfeit metabolite that tricks the cancer cell into using it for cellular division, because it is a counterfeit, it prevents synthesis from occurring.

What is the method of action of Antimetabolites? 

300

Ototoxicity

What is a major side-effect of Antineoplastic Antibiotics?

300

Cyclophosphamide, Cisplatin, Busulfan

What are examples of Alkylating agents?

400

No pregnant caregivers, limit number of client's one RN takes care of daily, limit amount of time in client's room, do not touch radioactive isotropes

What are important nursing precautions when caring for a client receiving internal radiation?

400

Disrupt enzyme needed for DNA synthesis & cell division causing DNA to break and cell death

What is the mechanism of action of Topoisomerase Inhibitors? 

400

Peripheral neuropathy

What is a major side-effect of Mitotic Inhibitors?

400

Megestrol (Megace), Testolactone (Teslac)

What are examples of Hormone Agonists? 

500

I am the preferred route for intravenous infusion of chemotherapy.

What is a Central line?

500

Work against the hormone causing the cancer and binds with specific hormone receptors inhibiting the ability to bind to the true hormone receptor

What is the mechanism of action of Hormone Antagonists? 

500

Hemorrhagic Cystitis

What is the major side effect of Alkylating Agents?

500

Vinblastine (Velban), Vincristine (Oncovin)

What are examples of Mitotic Inhibitors? 

600

Implantation or insertion of radioactive material directly into tumor or in close proximity

What is Brachytherapy

600

Produced by B lymphocytes and bind to specific target antigens making it non-functional

What is the mechanism of action of Monoclonal antibodies?

600

Chills, fever, malaise, HA, N/V, confusion, poor concentration, dizziness

What are major side-effects of Interferons?

600

Tamoxifen (Nolvadex), Flutamide (Eulexin)

What are examples of Hormone Antaganists?