Cancer Flashcards
Cancer- define
A disease that occurs when abnormal or mutated cells form in the body and grow in an uncontrollable way
This results in an abnormal growth, or tumour, developing which causes damage by:
- pressing on or invading healthy body tissues and organs
- interrupting normal biological processes and functioning of body systems.
Benign tumours: Non-cancerous. grow slowly and do not invade local tissues or spread to other organs. e.g. Warts, moles and fibroids are examples of benign growths.
Malignant tumours: Cancerous. grow rapidly, invade nearby tissues and can spread to other organs within the body.
Cancer- classifications
Carcinoma (most prevalent type)
– cancer which originates from epithelial cells from the skin, gut or the lining of internal organs.
Sarcoma (rarest type)
– originates in the bone, muscle or fat
Melanoma
– originates in the cells (melanocytes) in the skin.
examples:
- Basel cell carcinoma- found I skin
- Adenocarcinoma – adeno means gland
- Squamous cell carcinoma – many areas in our body including skin and G tract
- Myeloma originates in the plasma cells (B cells).
- Leukaemia Group of blood cancers which originate in the bone marrow.
- Lymphomas originates in the cells of the lymphatic system
Cancer- risk factors
- tobacco smoking
alcohol consumption - diets
- overweight or obesity
- physical
- excessive exposure to UV radiation (tanning, sun)
- viral infections (e.g. HPV, hep B or C)
- environmental exposure to agents (e.g. pollution)
- Occupational exposure to agents (e.g. chemicals, radiation)
- family history or genetics
- age (older people)
Cancer- investigations and diagnostic work ups
- physical exam
- lab tests
- imaging tests
- endoscopy, bronchoscopy, colonoscopy
- molecular testing
- biopsy (required for a definitive diagnosis of cancer)
free screening in NZ:
Cervical smear: 25 - 69 year, Every 3 years
Breast mammography: 45 - 69 years, Every 2 years
Bowel screening FIT test: 60 - 74 year, Every 2 years
Cancer- measurement/staging of cancer
Tumour Node Metastasis: tumour size, node involvement/status, metastasis
FIGO- cervical cancer
Dukes system- colorectal cancer
Cancer treatments
- surgery
- radiation therapy: ;
- antineoplastic drug therapies- chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy
- cellular and biological therapies
RADIATION THERAPY side effects
Acute: early effects which start presenting during or within the first few weeks of treatment (e.g. radiation induced skin reactions)
Sub acute: effects which start presenting weeks after radiation therapy is complete (eg radiation-induced pneumonitis)
Late: effects which start presenting months or years after radiation therapy is complete (e.g. cataracts following irradiation to the head, neck or brain region)
CHEMOTHERAPY side effects (immediate, early, late, delayed)
Immediate: onset hours to days
- nausea and vomiting
- taste/smell alteration
- facial flushing
- diarrhea
- infusion-related reaction
Early: onset days to weeks
- oral mucositis
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- neutropenia (low levels of neutrophils in blood= risk of infection)
- thrombocytopenia (reduced levels of platelets in blood)
- arthralgia and myalgia (joint/muscle pain/stiffness)
- peripheral neuropathy
- skin rash
Late: onset weeks to months
- anaemia
- alopecia
- nail changes
Delayed: onset months to years
- fertility issues
- cardiotoxicity
- pulmonary toxicity
IMMUNOTHERAPIES adverse side effects
the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors increases immune activity.
side effects:
- loss of immune self-tolerance
- auto-immune reactions
immune related side effects:
- affect any body system
- present at any time during or after treatment
- escalate quickly
- life threatening
CHEMOTHERAPY define, process, goals, FORMS
- Involves the administration of agents or drugs that kill or control cancer cells.
- cytotoxic
- damage DNA, interrupts cell division
Goals:
- Eradication of disease (Curative)
- Management of symptoms (Palliative)
- Preventing or slowing growth (Control)
Forms:
IM, IV, subcut, ORAL, INTRA-THECAL
RADIATION THERAPY define, goals
Radiation therapy or radiotherapy is the treatment of cancer with ionising radiation.
Goals:
- Curative intent: Eradicate disease.
- Prophylactic intent: Eradicate subclinical disease in order to prevent or delay spread.
- Palliative intent: Control symptoms, slow tumour growth and improve quality of life.
- Emergency intent: Treat complications of tumours which may be life threatening or cause permanent disability.
