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
,✔✔ 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
,✔✔ 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
3
, 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
4
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
,✔✔ 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
,✔✔ 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
3
, 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
4
