After reading this chapter, the student should be able to:
- Explain differences between normal cells and cancer cells.
- Identify the primary causes of cancer.
- Describe how the probability of acquiring cancer can be reduced by adopting certain lifestyle changes.
- Differentiate among the terms neoplasm, benign, malignant, and carcinoma.
- Identify the three primary treatments for cancer.
- Explain why cancer is difficult to cure.
- Explain why multiple drugs and special dosing schedules increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
- Describe the general adverse effects of chemotherapeutic agents.
- For each of the following, explain the mechanisms of drug action, primary actions, and important adverse effects.
- alkylating agents
- antimetabolites
- antitumor antibiotics
- hormones and hormone antagonists
- plant extracts/natural products
- biologic response modifiers and miscellaneous drugs for cancer patients
- Categorize anticancer drugs based on their classifications and mechanisms of action.
