Terminology Adjuvant therapy - given in addition to standard therapy Consolidation therapy - given after induction therapy with multidrug regimens to further reduce tumor burden Induction therapy - initial dose of treatment to rapidly kill tumor cells and send the patient into remission Maintenance therapy - given after induction and consolidation therapies or after the initial standard therapy to kill any residual tumor cells and keep the patient in remission Neoadjuvant therapy - given before the standard therapy for a particular disease Remission - less than 5% tumor burden Salvage therapy - given when standard therapy fails Adjuvant therapies in various cancers Metastasis to bone - bisphosphonates (e.g. zoledronic acid) are given to prevent lytic lesions and pathologic fractures as well as malignant hypercalcemia. Bisphosphonates work by inhibiting osteoclasts and thereby preventing bone breakdown. Breast cancer Tamoxifen , a selective estrogen recep
Presentation Acute cases present with garlic breath, vomiting, watery diarrhea, and QTc prolongation. If severe, there can be pancytopenia and hepatitis. Chronic cases present with: sensorimotor neuropathy -- stocking glove distribution with burning sensation, distal weakness, hyporeflexia skin changes -- 1. first there is a change in skin color (hypo/hyperpigmentaiton), 2. later hyperkeratosis (scaling of palms/ soles), 3. Mees lines (horizontal lines on fingernails) Pathology Arsenic binds to sulfhydryl groups and disrupts cellular respiration and gluconeogenesis. Sources of arsenic include pesiticides/ insecticides, contaminated water (e.g. well water), and pressure treated wood (e.g. antique furniture). Diagnosis Urine arsenic levels Treatment Chelation therapy with: Dimercaprol (British anti-Lewisite, BAL) DMSA (meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid, succimer) Relevant Images Dimercaprol has sulfhydryl groups and arsenic binds to