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Basic Principles of Cancer Chemotherapy and Anticancer Drugs EAQ Questions and Answers Latest Version Already Passed
What is the main goal of cancer chemotherapy?✔✔ To destroy or inhibit the growth of rapidly dividing cancer cells
How do anticancer drugs typically work?✔✔ They interfere with cell division and DNA replication in cancer cells
Why are chemotherapy drugs often given in cycles?✔✔ To allow healthy cells time to recover between treatments
What is the purpose of combination chemotherapy?✔✔ To use multiple drugs with different mechanisms to improve effectiveness and reduce resistance
Why are rapidly dividing cells more affected by chemotherapy? 1 / 4
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✔✔ Chemotherapy targets cells that multiply quickly, which includes both cancer cells and some normal cells
Which healthy body systems are often affected by chemotherapy?✔✔ Bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and hair follicles
Why does chemotherapy often cause hair loss?✔✔ Hair follicle cells divide quickly and are targeted by chemotherapy
How does chemotherapy affect the immune system?✔✔ It can suppress bone marrow, leading to reduced white blood cell counts and increased infection risk
Why is nausea a common side effect of chemotherapy?✔✔ Chemotherapy irritates the lining of the stomach and stimulates the vomiting center in the brain
What is neutropenia in chemotherapy patients? 2 / 4
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✔✔ A dangerously low level of neutrophils, increasing infection risk
What is the role of antiemetics in chemotherapy?✔✔ They help prevent or control nausea and vomiting caused by treatment
Why is hydration important during chemotherapy?✔✔ It helps flush toxic substances and reduces kidney damage risk
How does targeted therapy differ from traditional chemotherapy?✔✔ Targeted therapy blocks specific molecules involved in cancer growth, sparing most normal cells
What is the benefit of using monoclonal antibodies in cancer treatment?✔✔ They bind to specific cancer cell markers and help the immune system attack those cells
How does the cell cycle relate to chemotherapy drug effectiveness?✔✔ Some drugs are most effective at specific phases of the cell cycle
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Why might chemotherapy be used before surgery?✔✔ To shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove
Why might chemotherapy be given after surgery?✔✔ To destroy any remaining cancer cells and reduce recurrence risk
What is bone marrow suppression in chemotherapy?✔✔ A decrease in red cells, white cells, and platelets due to drug effects on the bone marrow
What is anemia and why might it occur during chemotherapy?✔✔ Anemia is a low red blood cell count caused by bone marrow suppression from treatment
Why is patient monitoring essential during chemotherapy?✔✔ To detect adverse effects early and adjust treatment as needed
What is the role of growth factors like filgrastim during chemotherapy?✔✔ They stimulate white blood cell production to reduce infection risk
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