Cancer Flashcards
3 stages of carcinogenesis and what happens in each stage
- initiation: mutation of cellular DNA
- promotion: growth of altered cells
- progression: tumor growth rate increases, metastasis occurs
What happens in cancer cells?
stem cells differentiate and lose functionality
lack of contact inhibition (keep growing)
continuous proliferation (doubling time and pyramid effect)
no apoptosis
oncogenes
altered cellular appearance
pyramid effect
doubling time of cancer tumor
exponential growth
Cancer warning signs (CAUTION)
Change in bowel/bladder habits
A sore that does not heal
Unusual bleeding/discharge from body orifices
Thickening or a lump in the breast/anywhere else
Indigestion or trouble swallowing
Obvious change in wart or mole
Nagging cough or hoarseness
primary prevention
decrease/eliminate exposure to carcinogens
healthy diet
exercise
alcohol in moderation
limit uv exposure (sun/tanning beds)
secondary prevention
inspection
palpation
screening
treatment modalities
surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy
goals of treatment
cure, control, palliation
how do we determine extent of cancer
histologic grading
staging
histologic grading
how similar cancer cells looks to cell of origin
staging
how advanced cancer is
lung cancer risk factors
smoking
pollution
radiation exposure
asbestos exposure
exposure to industrial agents
genetics: EGFR gene
early lung cancer manifestations
persistent cough, blood tinged sputum, dyspnea, wheezing, chest pain
late lung cancer manifestations
anorexia, fatigue, weight loss, SVC syndrome, pericardial effusion, dysphagia,
lung cancer diagnostic tests
CXR
CT scan
biopsy (sputum cytology, pleural fluid)
MRI, PET, bone scan, CBC, CMP
lung cancer treatment
surgical resection
radiation
chemotherapy
targeted therapy
colorectal cancer risk factors
diet: processed foods and meats
lifestyle: alcohol, smoking, inactivity
history of IBD: damaged cells
heredity
colorectal cancer manifestations
anemia r/t bleeding
rectal bleeding
abdominal pain
change in bowel habits
tenesmus: feeling like you have to poop but nothing comes out
colorectal cancer diagnostic studies
flexible sigmoidoscopy
colonoscopy
CEA
FOBT: fecal occult blood test
colorectal cancer treatment
surgery: resection, excision, colectomy
chemotherapy
targeted therapy
radiation
breast cancer risk factors
increasing age
ethnicity: african-american
long hormonal cycle exposure: early menarche & late menopause
pregnancy history: nulliparity & first child after 30
HRT >10yrs
benign breast disease combined w/ family history
family history 15-20% genetic + environmental
genetics: BRCA1, BRCA2, p53 tumor suppressor gene
hx of mantle radiation for HL
alcohol consumption, an increased dietary fat
breast cancer
skin changes, lumps, nipple discharge
metastatic disease
dyspnea, pain in back, confusion/altered LOC
breast cancer diagnostic tests
mammography
ultrasound
biopsy
HER2/hormone receptor status
breast cancer treatment
surgery: lumpectomy, mastectomy
radiation: external beam, brachytherapy, palliative
chemotherapy
hormonal therapy
triple negative breast cancer
Endometrial cancer risk factors
unopposed estrogen
age
nulliparity
obesity
smoking
diabetes
endometrial cancer clinical manifestations
abnormal uterine bleeding
pain
endometrial cancer diagnostic tests
biopsy
hormone receptor status
ovarian cancer risk factors
BRCA gene
nulliparity
early menarche, late menopause
obesity
family history
age
ovarian cancer clinical manifestations
vague symptoms
abdominal pain or bloating
changes to bowel or bladder
early satiety
weight loss or weight gain
menstrual changes