Eduardo Roma, a 67-year-old patient, has arrived at the oncology outpatient clinic to receive a dose of chemotherapy for bladder cancer. This is the second time he has received the antineoplastic agent, 5-fluorouracil, and he is complaining of “ulcers in his mouth.” The health care provider checks Eduardo’s blood work from the previous day. She then prepares to administer his chemotherapy. Which type of cells are particularly susceptible to the actions of 5-fluorouracil and related antineoplastics? a. Cells that reproduce very rapidly. b. Only malignant cells. c. Cells that lack mitochondria. d. Cells with high rates of cellular metabolism.
