Cancer Flashcards
Cancer
diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues & can spread through the bloodstream & lymphatic system to other parts of the body. (National Cancer Institute)
Loss of hair
can result from disease &/ or treatments.
Alopecia
Loss of appetite.
Anorexia
Antiemetic
medicine that prevents or controls vomiting or nausea
The cutting out of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination;
only way to definiatively dx cancer
Biopsy
small cancer that has not spread and is located on the surface of a tissue.
Cancer In Situ
originates in the skin or membranes lining the interior of hollow organs, such as the lungs, intestines, uterus, breasts, etc.
Carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
Cancer of glandular cells of the body
• 3000 BC
Ancient Egypt prescribed pills & pigs ears for cancer
Hippocrates
first to clarify neoplasms; 500 BC
Galen
described cancer as ‘crab-like’; 500 BC
most common type of skin cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma
originating in the lungs or bronchi
Bronchogenic Carcinoma
Cancer of the cervix or neck of the uterus
Cervical Carcinoma
Endometrial Carcinoma
Cancer of the lining of the uterus
type of bronchogenic carcinoma
Large Cell Carcinoma
Incidence
of newly diagnosed cases of cancer observed within given population within specified time frame. (new cases)
Morbidity
total number of cases of a specific disease (cancer) in a specified period of time (usually one year) per unit of population alive.
(illness rate)
Mortality
total # of deaths from specific disease (cancer).
death rate
Oat Cell/ Small Cell Carcinoma
Another type of bronchogenic carcinoma
Cancer arising from the skin or the surfaces of other structures, such as the mouth, uterus, or bronchi.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Adjuvant Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy used in conjunction with surgery, radiation therapy or both to destroy cancer cells that may be otherwise unaffected.
Combination Chemotherapy
Simultaneous use of several drugs to tx cancer
Cytology
studie of cells (under microscope)
Pap smear
Guaiac Test
chemical test to detect blood in the stool
used to screen for possible cancer of the colon or rectum.
Environmental carcinogens
3 types
Chemical, Physical, Viral
carcinogenesis
Oncogenesis
process by which neoplasms are produced: new growths
Hyperplasia
abnormal increase in number of cells ® increased tissue mass; not cancerous
Metaplasia
benign change of adult cells from one type to another
reversible
Dysplasia
benign change of cells resulting from chronic irritation - may reverse or progress to cancer
malignant, irreversible change of cells which regress to more primitive level (fetal)
Anaplasia
cells with recognizable specialized structures and functions (well vs. poorly differentiated)
Differentiated
Undifferentiated
lost their capacity for specialized functions
Carcinogenesis
carcinogen causes the cell to mutate, mutated cell produces neoplastic cells with an accelerated growth pattern;
normal cell undergoes malignant transformation.
G0
Resting Phase – perform all cell functions except proliferation
Cancer cells cannot remain in G0 so they replicate continuously
G1
RNA & protein synthesis
S
DNA synthesis
G2
Additional RNA & DNA synthesis
M
Mitosis – cell division
Why classify cancer
- Form of communication
- effectiveness/ type of tx (evaluation tool)
- disease progression
- –> statistical information
Stage 0
cancer in situ
Stage I
localized
Stage II
limited local spread
Stage III
– regional spread
-Breast cancer in lymph; near by local structure; right breast to left to breast
Stage IV
metastasis
TNM Classification
Most Common
T= Tumor Size
N= Lymph nodes involved
M= Metastasis
Higher the number the worse the prognosis
Causes Bone Marrow Suppression
– Cancer
– Chemotherapy
– Radiation
– Combination
