Master Cisplatin with Picmonic for Medicine

This med is used to treat solid malignancies and works against various cancers. Most notably, cisplatin is used to treat carcinomas, although it can sometimes be used to treat sarcomas.

Cisplatin is used to treat ovarian carcinoma, however treatment is dependent on the histology of the cancer. Often, cisplatin therapy is combined with surgery or radiation therapy.

Cisplatin is indicated to treat bladder carcinoma.

Cisplatin is used in lung carcinomas, most notably small cell carcinoma. It is typically combined with radiation therapy.

Cisplatin is also indicated for treating testicular carcinomas. It can be used as adjuvant therapy after surgery, to treat malignant spread and recurring malignancy.

This drug interferes with cell mitosis, crosslinking DNA. These crosslinked DNA are unable to be replicated and are considered damaged. The DNA is irreparable, activating apoptosis (cell death).

Ototoxicity is a known side effect of cisplatin therapy, and occurs due to acoustic nerve damage. Cisplatin may lead to reactive oxygen species that damage the stria vascularis of the inner ear. This drug is never combined with aminoglycosides, which also lead to this side effect.

A known side effect and major concern of cisplatin chemotherapy is nephrotoxicity. This drug creates reactive oxygen species, which damage the kidney. You should be aware of the patient's creatinine clearance, and decrease the dose as needed.

Nephrotoxicity is prevented by using amifostine, which scavenges free radicals and neutralizes them, along with chloride diuresis.