cancer Flashcards
What is cancer staging?
The process to assess the extent to which the tumour has developed
What is the criteria used in staging
Extent of tumour growth
How it has extended into local tissues
Where lymph nodes are involved- location and number
Has it spread to distant sites
what is TMN
internationally recognized cancer staging system
what does TMN stand for
Tumour
lymph Node involvement
Metastasis
What is metastasis?
it is a measure of the spread of the cancer.
describe In situ in relation to the staging of cancer
Abnormal cells are present and have not spread to nearby tissue
describe localised in relation to the staging of cancer
cancer is limited to the place where it started, has no sign of spreading
describe Distant in relation to the staging of cancer
cancer has spread to distant parts of the body
describe Unknown in relation to the staging of cancer
not enough information to figure out the stage
what are the 2 pathways to a cancerous cell?
Epigenetic alterations
Genetic alterations
what are epigenetic alterations?
changes in DNA methylation or acetylation and gene expression
What are genetic alterations?
DNA mutation and faulty protein formation.
the impact of cell division
Name some mutations that affect genes and whole chromosomes
Frame-shift, nonsense, mis-sense
translocation
Inversion
Insertion
Deletion
Amplifications
what are the 4 hallmarks of cancer
continuous replication and increase in cell numbers
creation of tumour microenvironment
ability to metastasise
Genome instability leading to intertumoral hetrogeneity
5 main routes of cancer metastases
local invasion
Lymphatic system
cardiovascular system (CCC)
perineural via nerve bundles
Peritoneal fluid
name some causes of cancer metastases
DNA Mutation of certain genes
changes in methylation patterns
epithelial to mesenchymal transition caused by microenvironment
treatment options for cancer
surgery
radiotherapy
cytotoxic chemo
angiogenesis inhibitors
hormone therapy
what is chemotherapy?
treatment that involves using drugs to kill cancer cells.
what drugs are used in chemotherapy and why?
Cytotoxic drugs - because they are toxic to cells especially fast growing cells
which route are these drugs administered through?
IV or orally
what factors must be considered before beginning chemotherapy
stage of cancer
overall health
treatment goals
why would cytotoxic chemotherapy be chosen as a form of treatment?
it’s designed to target and destroy rapidly dividing cells.
these drugs interfere with the multiplying of cancerous cells
this stops the spread and shrinks the tumour.
contraindications of this treatment
chemo affects healthy cells in your body too such as bone marrow, hair follicles and digestive system
what is the role of the nurse when their patient undergoes chemotherapy?
educate
monitor
manage pain
assess
administer
support
