Cancer Flashcards
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What is the single most important nonmodifiable risk factor for cancer?
Age over 50
What family history factors increase cancer risk?
Diagnosis of cancer in two or more family members, especially under age 50.
Which ethnicity has a higher incidence and mortality from cancer?
African Americans
What modifiable factors increase the risk of cancer?
Increased BMI, low vegetable diet, high animal fat, alcohol, tobacco, drug use, etc.
How does exposure to radiation and chemicals contribute to cancer risk?
Increased risk due to environmental and occupational factors.
What dietary behaviors are linked to cancer risk?
High intake of animal fats and low intake of vegetables.
What factors increase the risk of cancer recurrence?
- age
- positive lymph nodes
- tumor size > 2 cm
- high histopathologic grade
What is the most common types of cancer, and where do they originate?
- (1) Carcinoma, originating in epithelial tissue
- (2) Sarcoma, connective tissue
- (3) Blood borne cancers
What is a sarcoma?
A tumor of connective tissue (bone, cartilage, muscle, etc.).
What are blood-borne cancers?
Myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma (affecting blood cells and lymphatics).
What is the common method of metastasis for blood-borne cancers?
Via the blood and lymphatic system.
Which cancer types most commonly metastasize to bone, lungs, and liver?
Carcinoma and blood-borne cancers.
What are the most common clinical manifestations of cancer that a PT might see?
- integumentary
- pulmonary
- neurologic
- skeletal
- hepatic manifestations
What is a key early sign of malignancy related to pain?
Night pain > 7/10
What is a red flag related to weight loss for malignancy?
Unintentional weight loss > 10% in two weeks.
What proximal muscle weakness signs could indicate malignancy?
- difficulty with sit-to-stand or climbing stairs
- (+) Trendelenberg sign
What integumentary symptoms should raise concern for cancer?
Lesions that have changed over six weeks, not examined by a physician.
What pulmonary symptoms might suggest cancer?
- pleural pain
- dyspnea
- productive cough with abnormal sputum color
What neurologic manifestations may indicate cancer?
CNS involvement like
- Spinal cord pain
- sensory changes
- weakness and fatigue
- atrophy
- Brain
- headaches
- personality changes
- nausea & vomiting
- Cauda equina syndrome
- saddle anesthesia
- bowel & bladder changes
- Paraneoplastic syndromes
What is unique about the spine cord, back pain, and cancer involvement?
- pain at the level of lesion
- 70% of cases affect the thoracic spine
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What are common early warning signs of cancer metastasis?
- night pain
- unexplained weight loss
- proximal muscle weakness
What skeletal signs are associated with cancer metastasis?
Deep, intractable bone pain, worse with weight-bearing and at night.
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What are common pulmonary signs of cancer?
- new onset wheezing
- dyspnea
- pleural pain
What age group is most commonly affected by testicular cancer?
Ages 20–40.
At what age is breast cancer most common?
Age 45 and older.
What is the common age range for ovarian cancer?
55 years and older.
What cancers are more common in childhood?
Ewing sarcoma, acute leukemia, Wilm’s tumor, retinoblastoma.
What age group has the highest incidence and mortality of cancer overall?
Age 65 and older.
What are the five most common sites for cancer metastasis?
- bone
- lymph nodes
- lung
- liver
- brain
What symptom might suggest metastasis to the brain?
Headaches that worsen with straining or position changes, especially in the morning.
What are the ABCDEs of melanoma?
- Asymmetry = uneven edges, lopsided
- Border = irregular edges
- Color = back, brown, red
- Diameter = larger than a pencil eraser
- Evolving = one mole changes while others stay the same
What is the “ugly duckling” sign for melanoma?
Moles that look different from others (size, color, shape).
What are common risk factors for skin cancer?
Fair skin, history of blistering sunburns, tanning bed use.
What is the survival rate for localized melanoma?
92% five-year survival rate if found early.
What is the most common bone cancer?
Osteosarcoma
What are risk factors for osteosarcoma?
- age 10-30
- males
- rapid bone growth
What age group is affected by Ewing sarcoma?
Ages 5-16, with boys more commonly affected
What is a common malignant cartilage tumor?
Chondrosarcoma, affecting the pelvic or shoulder girdles.
What are clinical signs of CNS tumors?
Headaches, vomiting, vision changes, gait disturbances, personality changes.
What are the signs and symptoms of spinal cord tumors?
- pain (thoracolumbar)
- decreased sensation
- muscle weakness
- atrophy
What symptom is common in osteoid osteoma?
- night pain
- pain decreases with aspirin
What are risk factors for leukemia?
- bimodal age distribution (2-4 years and 65+ years)
- radiation
- genetic syndromes
What are key signs of leukemia?
Bone marrow failure, leading to low WBC, platelets, and RBC counts.
What is the primary difference between Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Hodgkin’s presents with predictable progression, while non-Hodgkin’s is less predictable.
What is a common sign of multiple myeloma?
- bone pain with movement
- radiculopathy
- back pain
