University of Cebu Lapulapu and Mandaue

College of Nursing

Name: ___________________________________________________ Section: ________

Problems in Cellular Aberration, Acute and Chronic

Module 2. Cancer Treatments
Duration: 8 hours

Module Content Summary

This module contains basic concepts of the different cancer treatments available. This includes concepts in
surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This module also discusses the different chemotherapy
protocols and the side effects associated to the different kind of chemotherapeutic agents.

Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module, the student will be able to:
1. Identify the different available cancer treatments.
2. Familiarize the different chemotherapy protocols.
3. Identify the specific nursing responsibilities depending on the chemotherapeutic drug.
4. Enumerate the different side effects associated with chemotherapy.
5. Create a care plan specific to patients receiving chemotherapeutic agents.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Surgery remains the foundation of cancer treatment. It

focuses on removing the organ or part of the body affected
by the cancer cells. It is often paired in combination with
other treatments, such as:
• Hormone Therapy,
• Chemotherapy,
• Targeted Therapy,
• Radiation Therapy, and
• Immunotherapy.

Also, surgery can be performed prior to diagnosis of cancer to prevent cancer growth which is commonly
performed by high-risk patients who prone to develop cancer. In addition, this procedure is done to
diagnose, stage and determine the type of combination therapy needed. There are several surgical methods
available to treat cancer and precancerous conditions. These are Cryosurgery, Electrosurgery, Laser
surgery, Mohs surgery, Laparoscopic surgery, Robotic surgery and Natural orifice surgery.

Another common approach to combat cancer is through chemotherapy. It can either be a neoadjuvant or
adjuvant type of chemotherapy. The first refers to chemotherapy given prior to surgery with the goal to
shrink tumors while the latter refers to chemotherapy given after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells
and to prevent recurrence.

Chemotherapy can be administered in different type of routes. It can be given topically, orally,
intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, Intrathecally, intraperitoneally and Intra-arterially (IA). In
addition, chemotherapy is usually given in combination to combat cancer cells in different phases of cell
cycle. The recommended treatment protocol depends on the stage and grading of cancer cell.
Activity 1. Chemotherapy Protocols

There are different chemotherapy protocols available depending on the stage, grade and type of cancer. In
this activity, you will complete the table provided. Identify the drugs included in the chemotherapy protocol
provided. Once you correctly identify the drug, determine the drug classification and cell-cycle specificity.
The medications for the first type of cancer, Breast cancer, is provided below as a bonus. Finally, determine
if there are food restrictions, laboratory requirement and special instruction linked to the chemotherapeutic
agent.

Chemotherapy
Type of cancer Drug Data Nursing Responsibilities
Protocol
Trastuzumab Food Restrictions
Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
Available Route/s:

Docetaxel Food Restrictions

Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Breast Cancer TCH Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
Available Route/s:

Carboplatin Food Restrictions

Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
Available Route/s:

_______________ Food Restrictions

Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
Available Route/s:

_______________ Food Restrictions

Drug Classification:
Colon Cancer FOLFIRI
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
Available Route/s:

_______________ Food Restrictions

Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
 Available Route/s: Special Instructions

_______________ Food Restrictions

Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
Available Route/s:

_______________ Food Restrictions

Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
Available Route/s:
Ovarian Cancer PC
_______________ Food Restrictions
Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
Available Route/s:

_______________ Food Restrictions

Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
Available Route/s:

_______________ Food Restrictions

Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
Hodgkin’s Available Route/s:
ABVD
Lymphoma
_______________ Food Restrictions
Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
Available Route/s:

_______________ Food Restrictions

Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
 Available Route/s:

_______________ Food Restrictions

Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
Available Route/s:

_______________ Food Restrictions

Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
Available Route/s:

_______________ Food Restrictions

Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Non-Hodgkin’s
R-CHOP Cell-cycle specificity:
Lymphoma
Special Instructions
Available Route/s:

_______________ Food Restrictions

Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
Available Route/s:

_______________ Food Restrictions

Drug Classification:
Laboratory Requirement
Cell-cycle specificity:
Special Instructions
Available Route/s:

Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Since chemotherapy not only affects the cancer cells but also the healthy cells, unpleasant side effects are
expected but can be prevented. Some of these are temporary and will disappear after the treatment. This
includes the following:
• Tiredness.
• Hair loss.
• Infections.
• Bleeding.
• Sore mouth.
• Loss of appetite.
Activity II. Make three (3) nursing care plan for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Follow institutional
format.