Gonubie Round Table donates an incredible R20 000! - CHOC

CHOC Eastern Cape: Debbie Kleinenberg PO Box 2565 Beacon Bay 5241Contact Debbie on: 043 731 2759 Fax: 043 731 2272 Cell: 083 440 6848Merrifield learners visit the WardA group of Merrifield learners spent some time with thechildren of Ward C5 and kindly gave the children gifts.Your Medical FactsLEUKEMIA TREATMENTTreating leukemia is sometimes confusingand complicated. The common methods usedto kill blasts are chemotherapy and radiationtherapy. Blood transfusions don’t kill blasts,but are very important. Bone marrow transplantsand immunotherapy are also methodsof treatment.This month we give you information on:CHEMOTHERAPYHere are some of the drugs used during chemotherapy:Signs and symptoms of childhood cancer...Continued, unexplained weight lossHeadaches, often with early morning vomitingIncreased swelling or persistent pain in bones,joints, back, or legsLump or mass, especially in the abdomen, neck,chest, pelvis, or armpitsDevelopment of excessive bruising, bleeding, or rashConstant infectionsA whitish color behind the pupilNausea which persists or vomiting without nauseaConstant tiredness or noticeable palenessEye or vision changes which occur suddenlyRecurrent or persistent fevers of unknown origin- Vincristine: it comes from the periwinkleplant and acts on dividing cells and is giveninto a vein (IV).- Prednisone or Decadron: it is a hormoneand acts by killing lymphocytes. It comes inthe form of a pill.- L-Asparaginase: it is one of a group of drugscalled enzymes and acts by breaking up oneof the ingredients that blasts need to makeprotein, and blasts need protein to grow anddivide. This is given as a shot usually into amuscle.- Daunorubicin or Adriamycin: they are agroup of antibiotics and they stop cells frommaking RNA and DNA so that cells can’t growand divide. They are given as an IV shot.- Methotrexate: it is one of a group of drugscalled antimetabolites and acts by stoppingcells from making new DNA so they can’t divide.It is given as a spinal tap, as a pill, anIV or IM.- 6-Mercaptopurine: is also an antimetaboliteand is given either as a pill or as an IV shot- Cytosine arabinoside: it is another antimetaboliteand is given as a shot either IV orunder the skin.- 6-Thioguanine: is another antimetaboliteand comes as a pill.- 5-Azacytidineit acts by confusing a cell andit stops making protein and therefore doesn’tgrow anymore. It is given as an IV.- Cyclophosphamide: it is called an alkylatingagent it acts by changing the way importantmolecules are shaped. It is given as a pill oran IV shot.- Bis-chloroethyl-nitrosourea: it also changesthe way important molecules are shaped andis given as an IV shot.Page 2