Explain how cytotoxic agents are used to treat cancer
What will be an ideal response?
The general idea of chemotherapy is to kill the tumor or the malignant cells without causing more damage than necessary to the patient's healthy cells. There is no cure for cancer, yet treatment with potent medications such as cytotoxic agents and antineoplastics can often suppress symptoms and provide better quality of life for the patient. Chemotherapy drugs are extremely toxic to cells and specific drugs are indicated for specific tumors or cells. Unfortunately, chemotherapeutic agents cannot tell the difference between a healthy cell and a sick cell. This is why some patients succeed in eliminating the cancer but also have unwanted side effects such as hair loss.
There are two classes of cytotoxic agents. Cycle-phase-nonspecific agents work on a cell at any time during the cell's cycle. Cycle-phase-specific agents work on a cell during a specific cycle (most are nonresting). These agents are indicated for rapidly growing tumors where there is a high growth period.
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You are transporting a 54-year-old man who was working in his yard spraying a pesticide called Parathion. Although he was using a particulate respirator, he suddenly started experiencing dizziness, severe abdominal cramps, and vomiting. What is MOST likely route of toxic exposure?
A) Absorption B) Injection C) Inhalation D) Ingestion
Where are enclosure notations, if applicable, keyed in a letter?
a. Three lines above the reference initials b. One line above the reference initials c. One or two lines below the reference initials d. Three lines below the reference initials