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Antitumor medications can significantly impact what organs through toxicity?

a) Skin and hair
b) Heart and lungs
c) Liver and kidneys
d) Brain and nervous system

User Phuthib
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Antitumor medications, particularly chemotherapy drugs, can impact the liver and kidneys (option c) through toxicity, as these organs are involved in the metabolism and excretion of various substances.

Step-by-step explanation:

Antitumor medications, especially chemotherapy drugs, can significantly impact various organs through toxicity. These drugs target rapidly dividing cells and are known to affect cells that have a high replacement rate, such as hair follicles, the lining of the digestive system, and taste buds.

However, the question is specific about organ toxicity. The options include skin and hair (a), heart and lungs (b), liver and kidneys (c), and brain and nervous system (d). Based on the information, the organs most impacted in terms of toxicity by chemotherapy drugs would be the liver and kidneys (option c). These organs play critical roles in metabolizing and excreting various substances from the body, including chemotherapy agents.

While the immediate side effects of chemotherapy are often noticed in the skin, hair, and digestive system lining due to the high turnover of cells, the liver and kidneys are essential for drug metabolism and clearance, thus making them highly susceptible to damage from drug toxicity. Over time, the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs can cause various levels of damage to these organs, which may lead to functional impairment or long-term health issues.

User Richard Vivian
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