Cancer Flashcards
Exam 2
Cancer- who does it effect?
Affects males and females
Affects all ages
Cancer- how is presentation?
Presentation varies from severe/acute to chronic
Cancer: What are clinical features?
Type
Staging
Molecular characteristics
Cancer Epidemiology: What is the leading cause of death worldwide?
Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide
Cancer EPIDEMIOLOGY: What are the most common types of cancer globally?
Most common types of cancer globally:
Lung,
Breast,
Colorectal,
Stomach
Prostate
Cancer EPIDEMIOLOGY: What can lead to cancer disease patterns?
Carcinogen exposure varies leading to different cancer disease patterns
Cancer prevalence in the US: What percent of cancers are diagnosed in 55+ adults?
What is the greatest incidence of cancers?
78% of all cancers diagnosed in older adults aged 55+ years
Greatest incidence are prostate, breast, and lung
Cancer Epidemiology:
Risk Factors of Cancer: What is the most common risk for cancer?
Most common risk factor for cancer is exposure to a carcinogen
Cancer Epidemiology:
Risk Factors of Cancer: What to know about carcinogens and risk of cancer?
Carcinogens alone are unlikely cancers triggers
Cancer Epidemiology:
What influences cancer development?
Environmental, hormonal, lifestyle factors; infectious disease; medications; immune status; and nutrition
Advanced age and genetic predisposition
Cancer pathophysiology:
Carcinogenesis: What does it begin with?
Begins with carcinogen exposure
Cancer Pathophysiology:
What does carcinogenesis trigger?
Subsequently triggers single or multiple gene mutations
Cancer Pathophysiology:
What happens with mutated cells?
Mutated cells are not detected by the immune system
Cancer Pathophysiology:
What happens with mutated cells that are not detected by the immune system?
Proliferate and progress into cancer
Cancer Pathophysiology:
What are the hallmark characteristics of cancer?
- Uncontrolled cell growth
- Alteration in cell differentiation
Two main categories that cancer cells are divided into:
- Solid Tumors
- Hematological malignancies
What is the reason why cancer cells are able to spread?
Because of the lymphatic system
Cancer: 3 Subcategories of hematological malignancies
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
How is cancer further classified by?
Further classified by organ/system of origin
Cancer STAGING: What is considered?
Considers the size of the tumor, burden of the disease, and extent of disease spread
Cancer STAGING: What is it used for?
Used to plan patient assessment, clinical management, and treatment strategies
Cancer Staging: How is Solid Maligancy Staging done?
Tumor size (T)
Number of lymph nodes involved (N)
Presence of metastases (M)
Cancer Staging: How is it staged?
Cancer generally staged along a continuum
Cancer Staging: What are the stages?
Stage I
Stage II
Stage III
Stage IV
Cancer Staging: Stage I
Stage I — Small tumor without obvious spread outside the organ
Cancer Staging: Stage II
Stage II — Invasion of tissues or involvement of local lymph nodes
Cancer Staging: Stage III
Stage III — Large or locally invasive tumors
Cancer Staging: Stage IV
Stage IV — cancers that have metastasized
Stages of Cancer Cell Metastasis:
What are the three types of symptoms:
- CAUTION symptoms
- Constitutional signs
- Malignancy-specific signs and symptoms
What are CAUTION symptoms?
Change in bowel or bladder habits
A sore that just won’t heal
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Thickening of lymph nodes in the breast or any other area
Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
Obvious changes in warts or moles
Nagging cough or hoarseness
What are constitutional signs/vague signs of cancer?
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Fever with cause unknown
Night sweats
Cancer Prevention:
Risk factor modification
Immunization
Chemoprevention
Cancer PREVENTION:
Secondary prevention
Noninvasive screening tests
Evaluation of family history for genetic syndromes
Cancer PREVENTION:
Tertiary prevention
Reducing morbidity and mortality
Treatment and management of side effects (after it has been diagnosed)
DIAGNOSING CANCER: What is done?
Laboratory tests
Imaging
Biopsy
Endoscopic procedures
DIAGNOSING CANCER:
Diagnostic evaluation dependent upon:
Suspected cancer subtype,
possible disease location, and
expected extensiveness of the disease
Cancer TREATMENT:
What does it vary by?
Varies according to cell type and stage of disease
Cancer TREATMENT:
If cancer is not curable, what should be the goal?
If not curable, goal may be to reduce tumor burden, or prevent progression
Cancer Treatment: What could be the three things done for non-curable cancer?
Remission
Oncogene
Palliation
What are PSA markers used for?
PSA is used to diagnose prostate cancer.
Three mainstream treatments for cancer?
- Surgical procedures
- Radiation therapies
- Medical treatments
Cancer Treatment: What is the primary treatment for a solid tumor?
Removing tumor is the primary treatment
Cancer Treatment: What kind of therapy is radiation therapy? What is it used to do?
Localized therapy
Destroy the DNA structures of cancer cells
Cancer Treatment: What type of person should NOT be taking care of a patient on radiation?
A pregnant person
Cancer Treatment: What should you NOT do to radiation site? What should you do?
You shouldn’t be rubbing any types of creams.
You should be checking for skin integrity before and after they go to, any type of radiation treatment.
Cancer Treatment: How is oral chemotherapy given?
It is a two nurse sign off
You double glove and you wear special gloves when you give any type of chemotherapy
Make sure consent is signed
Make sure there is an order in the chart
NURSING MANAGEMENT: What are the three medications you give to someone before they are leaving to have therapy?
- Fluids
- Benadryl
- Anti-nausea medication
