Cancers Flashcards
Types of Cancer
- Lung - Smoking
- Colorectal - Develops from inner lining of bowel
- Prostate - Develops when abnormal cells in prostate gland form malignant tumour
- Breast - the abnormal growth of cells lining in breast ducts
- Skin: Melanomas (metastasise) and Carcinomas (localised)
- Blood and Lymph: Leukaemia (blood and bone marrow), Lymphoma (lymphatic system) and Myeloma (plasma cells)
Role of Chemotherapy and Considerations
- Damages cellular DNA (disrupts cell cycle)
- PPE
- Ax for and manage side effects
- Education re care of access sites
- Increase fluid to flush out drugs
- Promote rest and re-cuperation
- Psychosocial support
National Cancer Prevention Policy - Role?
- Reduction of modifiable risk factors (smoking, diet, exposure to UV radiation)
- Regular screening for early detection
- Immunisations
Modalities of Treatment?
- Radiotherapy - Iodizing radiation that damages cell DNA
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy - Use of cytotoxic drugs to damage DNA of cells
- Hormone Therapy - Certain tumours can be stimulated by body’s own hormones
- Immunotherapy - Drug treatment focused on using immune system to attack cancer
Nursing Care
- Refer to specialists
- Provide ongoing supportive care
- Provide ongoing education
- Be empathetic, engaged and present
Stages of Lung Cancer
- Stage 1: Cx in lung tissues, but not lymph nodes
- Stage 2: Cx may spread to lymph nodes
- Stage 3: Cx metastasised to lymph nodes and middle of chest
- Stage 4: Cx spread widely around body (brain, bones)
Stages of Colorectal Cancer
- Stage 1: Cx formed in mucosa of colon wall, and spread to submucosa
- Stage 2: Cx spread through muscle layer of colon wall to serosa
- Stage 3: Cx has spread to nearby lymph nodes
- Stage 4: Cx has spread to organs (liver, lung)
Stages of Prostate Cancer
Stage 1: Cx is small, localised to prostate
Stage 2: Cx is larger, may be in both prostate lobes
Stage 3: Cx has spread to nearby lymph nodes
Stage 4: Cx has spread to other organs
Stages of Breast Cancer
Stage 1: Cx is small, localised to breast tissue
Stage 2: Cx is larger, and spread to nearby lymph nodes
Stage 3: Cx is larger, and spread to further lymph nodes
Stage 4: Cx has spread to other organs
Stages of Melanomas
Stage 1: Cx cells in dermis and epidermis
Stage 2: Tumour is thicker and ulcerated
Stage 3: Cx has spread to nearby lymph nodes
Stage 4: Cx has spread to other organs
Stages of Carcinomas
Stage 1: Cx is small, localised to epithelial tissue
Stage 2: Cx is larger, and spread to nearby lymph nodes
Stage 3: Cx is larger, and spread to further lymph nodes
Stage 4: Cx has spread to other organs
Stages of Leukemia
Stage 1: Swollen lymph nodes
Stage 2: Swollen spleen or liver
Stage 3: Low RBC count, swollen lymph nodes and spleen
Stage 4: Low platelets, low RBC count, swollen lymph nodes and spleen
Stages of Lymphoma
Stage 1: Localised, single lymph node or organ
Stage 2: 2+ lymph nodes on same side of diaphragm
Stage 3: 2+ lymph nodes above and below diaphragm
Stage 4: Widespread to other organs
Stages of Myeloma
Stage 1: Beta II Microglobulin <3.5mg/L, Albumin >3.5g/dL
Stage 2: Beta II Microglobulin 3.5-5.5 mg/L OR <3.5mg/L, Albumin <3.5 g/dL
Stage 3: Beta II Microglobulin >5.5 mg/L, high LDH lvls, high risk cytogenetics
Most Common Cancers?
- Prostate
- Colorectal
- Breast
- Melanoma
- Lung