5 Things Emma and Lauren want you know about Cancer Flashcards
Mutation of cells
Solid tumors or hematologic (blood)
Classified by type of tissue originating from or primary site
How aggressive depends on outcome
Cellular aspects of the cancer are also important to consider
Staging done at diagnosis
What is cancer
Rapid growth
Can migrate or metastasize easily
Mutation of cells
TNM system (tumor; node; metastasis)
HCP - determine treatment and prognosis and how going do
Staging done at diagnosis
uncontrolled cell division
Division
formation of a lump (tumor) or large numbers of abnormal white cells in the blood
Growth
changes to how the cell is viewed by the immune system
Mutation
ability to move within the body and survive in another part
Spread
Moving from one part from another
Metastasis
The survival of the patient is determined by the
stage of the disease at diagnosis/onset
The earlier the detection or the smaller the tumor
the better the survival
Don’t smoke
Avoid exposure to know carcinogens
Eat a healthy diet
Be physically active
Vaccinate against or early detection of to prevent cancer causing infections
Have the right genes
**Sometimes there is no predisposing factor
Cancer prevention
Ex. UV light, asbestos
Avoid exposure to know carcinogens
Fruits and vegetables, limit alcohol; low fat diet
Eat a healthy diet
Ex. Hepatits B; Human Papilloma virus (HPV); H.Pylori
Vaccinate against or early detection of to prevent cancer causing infections
Certain genes have been isolated
Have the right genes
Can be prophylactic, diagnostic (biopsy to diagnosis), or curative (remove all cancer)
30% survival rate with surgery alone - often times if have surgery still following it have radiation/chemo
Remove tumor and lymph nodes around if invaded
Post op care
Surgical treatment
All traditional post op physical care - bleeding, infection, wound dehiscence
Need to address emotional and spiritual needs - changes in appearance/functionality; provide emotional support
Post op care
Destroys cancer cells but will also affect surrounding tissue
Typically given daily for a designated period of time
Can be external (teletherapy - not radioactive; temp ink marking) or implanted (brachytherapy - radioactive either while implanted/bodily fluids)
For external radiation patients will have markings for course of therapy
Side effects:
Radiation therapy
Fatigue
Hair loss - change in appearance
Skin changes - esp if doing in external: Skin care is very important
Altered taste - things not taste same/as good
Forever have Inflammation and scarring of surrounding tissue
Side effects: - Radiation therapy
Radiation delivered from a source outside of the patient
Delivered in small doses on a daily basis for a set time period
Patient is not radioactive
Teletherapy: - Radiation delivery types
Radiation source is within the patient
Sealed or Unsealed
In brachytherapy the patient emits radiation for a period of time and is a potential hazard to others
Sealed: patient emits radiation when implant in place; seeds
Unsealed: patient body fluids are radioactive and must be handled according to guidelines; IV/PO - need know for precautions
Brachytherapy: - Radiation delivery types
Portable shields used
Lead apron used when providing care
Keep all linens and equipment in room until source is removed
Limit caregivers
Limit or no visitors
No pregnant women or children under 16
Pregnant nurses or nurses (male or female) attempting to conceive should not take care for these patients
Private room/bath door closed with signage
Personnel should wear a dosimeter film badge (measures exposure) at all times
Keep soiled linen in room
Minimize care givers
Patient will emit radiation - Radiation therapy: brachytherapy
Explain the purpose and side effects of radiation therapy might experience
Good Skin care - might have some inflammation
Instruct the patient not to remove any temporary ink markings until the entire course of radiation therapy is completed - want go in same spot
Follow the department’s policy regarding the use and timing of skin care products
Radiation therapy: teletherapy
Using Cytotoxic agents
Used to cure and/or increase survival time - not curative tho; kill cancer and healthy cells
Target rapidly producing cells
Typically given IV but can also be PO
Administration requires special education - good IV imp; typ most have ports/PICC; if have peripheral IV make sure working good
Adhere to all “chemo precautions”
Side Effects caused by the damage of normal cells as well cancer cells
Nursing interventions:
Chemotherapy
**Infiltration of the medication can be a serious complication (see next slide)
Administration requires special education - good IV imp; typ most have ports/PICC; if have peripheral IV make sure working good - Chemotherapy
Special handling of medications (IV or PO)
Special handling of all bodily fluids
Double glove
Adhere to all “chemo precautions” - Chemotherapy
Anemia
Neutropenia
Thrombocytopenia
Nausea and vomiting
Mucositis - mouth sores
Hair loss
Skin changes
Chemo induced peripheral neuropathy - can last whole time have chemo and afterwards
Altered bowel elimination
Anxiety
Sleep disturbances - not being able sleep
Changes in cognition - chemo brain
Psychosocial concerns - bad AE hard on them and fam
Side Effects caused by the damage of normal cells as well cancer cells - Chemotherapy
Neutropenia
Anemia
Thrombocytopenia
Nausea and Vomiting
Mucositis
Chemo induced peripheral neuropathy
Nursing interventions: - Chemotherapy
Infection prevention is key
Avoid crowds and sick people
Isolation may be required
Hand hygiene
Report any signs of infection quickly to HCP
Monitor WBC and ANC (Absolute Neutrophil count) - CBC
Filgrastim (Neupogen) to treat to stim bone marrow to produce more WBC
Neutropenia - Nursing interventions: - Chemotherapy
Epogen and procrit to treat
Blood transfusion depending on how bad anemia
Anemia - Nursing interventions: - Chemotherapy
Platelet transfusion
Monitor for bleeding
Bleeding precautions
Thrombocytopenia - Nursing interventions: - Chemotherapy
Premedication is essential
Nausea and Vomiting - Nursing interventions: - Chemotherapy
Frequent oral care
Soft bristles tooth brush
Commercial mouth wash too tough for them
Watch for irritants in oral products
Mucositis - Nursing interventions: - Chemotherapy
Chronic for them
Prevent injury
Protect body areas where sensation is reduced
Well-fitting shoes and inspect feet daily
Avoid extremes of temperature (pot holders, test water)
Use gloves when washing dishes or gardening
Stand up slowly
Avoid area rugs
Use handrails when using stairs
Chemo induced peripheral neuropathy - Nursing interventions: - Chemotherapy
