cancer Flashcards
what is neutropenia?
Low level of neutrophils (WBC) due to chemotherapy and cancer. Occurs in approx. half people who have cancer, and common with people who have leukemia. It is the most common cause of a weakened imune system in people getting cancer treatment
how do you prevent infection in neutropenic patients?
Avoid infection and treat quickly with antibiotics. Isolation methods, hand hygiene, PPE, limit visitors, avoid contact with others.
what is an oral yeast infection and how do you treat cancer patients who have it?
Weakened immune system can cause oral yeast infections. Nurses can treat this by encouraging pt to use lubricant for the lips, floss daily, rinse mouth out with saline. Avoid scrubbing tongue with hard toothbrush.
what is the most common cause of bleeding in cancer patients?
Radiation therapy and tumours can weaken blood vessels and result in sudden haemorrhage.
What is thrombocytopenia in cancer patients?
It is a common side effect of cancer treatment that occurs when chemotherapy damage bone marrow (where platelets are made).
What steps should you take for a patient with suppressed immune systems?
Put patient into protective isolation (this protects them from getting disease/infection), limit number of visitors.
What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
Fatigue, hair loss, bruising/bleeding, infection, anaemia, nausea/vomiting, appetite and weight changes, fertility problems, constipation.
How should nurses treat nausea in cancer patients?
Use anti-emetic drugs. Ondansetron is used in chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It is a serotonin receptor antagonist with low affinity for dopamine receptors.
what is benign tumours
cells that appear normal. The cell growth is typically self-limiting and the tumour is encapsulated. There is no spread to other tissues. The abnormal cell growth and additional cells themselves may not be a problem, but the size or location of the tumour may impact on nearby structures, thereby potentially impacting on normal body functions.
what is malignant tumours
they are cancerous, abnormal cells (cell contents are altered) that divide without control and invade nearby tissues, via the blood and (most commonly) the lymphatic system. They can break off and metastasise.
what is metastasise and what are the most common ways cells metastasise?
to spread to other sites in the body
they metastasise via lymph nodes through the lymphatic system.
risk factors for cancer
- immunity, inflammation and infection
- chemical exposure
- radiation
- dietary factors
how to detect cancer
- biopsy
- scans; X-ray, MRI, CT, PET
- tumour marker detection
what are some treatment of cancer
- surgery
- radiation
- chemotherapy
- immunotherapy
- hormone therapy
- gene therapy
what are cancer risk factors
- obesity
- UV exposure
- diet high in red and processed meats and fats
- certain infections
- certain air pollutants
- tobacco use
- chronic inflammation
