Cancer Flashcards
0
Q
the death of cells that occurs as a normal and controlled part of an organism’s growth or development.
A
Apoptosis
1
Q
What is a oncogene?
A
A gene that has the potential to cause cancer. In tumor cells, they are often mutated or expressed at high levels. Most of the normal cells undergo a programmed form of rapid cell death (apoptosis). Activated oncogenes can cause those cells designated for apoptosis to survive and proliferate instead.
2
Q
What happens in division
A
Uncontrolled cell division
3
Q
What are tumor suppressor genes?
A
A tumor suppressor gene, or antioncogene, is a gene that protects a cell from one step on the path to cancer. When this gene mutates to cause a loss or reduction in its function, the cell can progress to cancer, usually in combination with other genetic changes.
4
Q
What happens during growth
A
Formation of a lump (tumor) of large members of abnormal white cells in the blood
5
Q
What can happen with the tumor during growth
A
Pressure on nerves, blocking organs, stopping normal function, altering nerve signals, fungating
6
Q
What is fungating
A
Tumor erupts through skin
7
Q
What happens during mutation
A
There are changes to how the cell is viewed by the immune system
8
Q
Ability to move within the body and survive in another part
A
Spread
9
Q
What is metastasis
A
Spread of cancer, traveling
10
Q
the development of new blood vessels.
A
Angiogenesis
11
Q
Adeno-
A
Gland
12
Q
Chrondro-
A
Cartilage
13
Q
Erythro-
A
Red blood cell
14
Q
Hemangio-
A
Blood vessels
15
Q
Hepato-
A
Liver
16
Q
Lipo-
A
Fat
17
Q
Lympho-
A
Lymphocyte
18
Q
Melano-
A
Pigment cell
19
Q
Myelo-
A
Bone marrow
20
Q
Myo-
A
Muscle
21
Q
Osteo-
A
Bone
22
Q
What does benign mean
A
Not cancerous
23
Q
What is the single biggest cause of cancer
A
Smoking
24
What is the gene associated with breast cancer
BRCA 1&2
25
What are some physical causes of cancer
Ultraviolet radiation (sunlight and certain industrial sources) and radiation (radon and cancer treatment)
26
What are some consequences to obesity
Cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension
27
What do classifications of cancer do?
Provide a standardized way to communicate with health care system, prepare and evaluate treatment plan, determine prognosis, and compare groups statistically
28
What does in situ mean
Very localized in tissue
29
Do you want cancer to be in situ?
Yes because you can usually cut it out because it is very localized
30
How is anatomic site classification indentified?
By tissue of origin
31
Where do carcinogens originate from?
Embryonal ectoderm (skin, glands) or endoderm (mucous membrane of respiratory tract, GI and GU tracts)
32
Where do sarcomas originate from?
Embryonal mesoderm (connective tissue, muscle, bone, and fat)
33
Where do lymphomas and leukemias originate from?
Hematopoietic system
34
How can tumors be classified?
By anatomic site, histology (grading severity), and extent of disease (staging)
35
What is histological classification
Average of cells and degree of differentiation are evaluated to determine he closely cells resemble tissue if origin
36
How many grades of abnormal cells are there?
4
37
Cells differ slightly from normal cells and are well differentiated
Grade 1
38
Cells more abnormal and moderately differentiated
Grade 2
39
Cells very abnormal and poorly differentiated
Grade 3
40
Cells immature and primitive and undifferentiated. Cell of origin is difficult to determine
Grade 4
41
What are the clinical staging classifications
0: cancer is in situ
1: tumor limited to tissue or origin, localized tumor growth
2: limited local spread
3: extensive local and regional spread
4: metastasis
42
What are proto-oncogenes?
Are normal cell genes that regulate normal cell processes to keep them in their mature, functioning state
43
What are tumor-inducing genes called?
Oncogenes
44
When proto-oncogenes are mutated what can they begin functioning as?
Oncogenes (Tumor-inducing genes)
45
What types of tumors are well differentiated
Benign neoplasms
46
What are the most frequent sites of metastasis
Lungs, bone, brain, liver, and adrenal glands
47
What does TNM classification system mean
T- tumor size and invasiveness
N- spread to lymph nodes
M- metastasis
The TNM classification system is anatomical extent of disease based on those three parameters
48
Should you tell a patient "it's going to be ok"
No because that is giving false hope. Don't say that because you don't know that
49
What is the goal for palliative care
For them to be comfortable
50
What does adjuvant therapy mean
To be used with
51
What is debulking
Do surgery but it is for a different purpose
| removal of excess bulk of tissue from a lesion either to assist in healing or as an adjunct to chemotherapy.
52
What is the mainstay for most solid rumors and hematologic cancers?
Chemotherapy
53
When is radiation therapy typically delivered
Once a day for 5 days a week for 2-8 weeks
54
How can radiation be delivered
Internally or externally
55
What is the most common radiation treatment?
External radiation (teletherapy)
56
What is external radiation
Patient exposed to radiation from a megavolt machine
57
What is internal radiation
Implantation or insertion of radioactive materials into or close to tumor, minimal exposure to healthy tissue, used in combination with teletherapy
58
What is another name for external radiation
Teletherapy
59
What is another name for internal radiation
Brachytherapy
60
If a patient is receiving internal radiation what should you do as the nurse
Limit amount of time near patient being treated: organize care, shielding should be used, wear film badge to monitor exposure
61
What do you have to teach patients getting internal radiation
Patients should understand needs for time and distance restrictions on health care providers
62
What are common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation
Bone marrow suppression, fatigue, GI disturbances, integumentary and mucosal reactions, pulmonary effects, reproductive effects
63
What is the most common side effect of chemotherapy
Myelosuppression (bone marrow suppression)
64
What happens in myelosuppression?
bone marrow activity is decreased, resulting in fewer red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The treatment-induced reductions in RBC and WBC can result in infection, hemorrhage, and overwhelming fatigue
65
What is nadir
When counts are at low points
66
What kind of diet should patient be on
Nonirritating, low-fiber, high calorie, high protein diet
67
How do you monitor someone's protein?
Albumin or prealbumin
68
What should you do with a dry skin reaction
Lubricate with Nonirritating lotion or solution that contains no metal, alcohol, perfume, or additives
69
What should you do with a wet skin reaction
Keep clean and dry and protected from further damage
70
What is xerostomia
Dry mouth
71
Secondary malignancies are usually ______ to therapy
Resistant
72
What does targeted therapy do
Able to kill tumor cells without damaging normal cells. Alter cell receptors or pathways that are important for tumor growth
73
What to biologic response modifiers do?
Modify response between tumor and surrounding host tissue
-anti tumor effect, modulate immune response to tumor cells, interfere with the cells ability to metastasize and differentiate
74
What are side effects of biologic therapy?
Flu like symptoms
75
With malnutrition when are supplements needed
When 5% weight loss is noted
76
Biologic and targeted therapies cannot be administered _______
Orally
77
What test should you monitor with malnutrition
Albumin and prealbumin levels
78
What is normal prealbumin level
19-38 mg/dl
79
What is normal albumin level
3.4-5.4 g/dl
80
What is albumin
Protein status for a period of time (last month)
81
What is prealbumin
Protein status recently ( last few days)
82
What is the primary cause of death in cancer patients
Infection
83
What are some gerontologic considerations
Clinical manifestations may be mistaken for age related changes, more vulnerable to complications of cancer and cancer therapy, functional status should be considered when selecting a treatment plan
84
How can chemotherapy be administered
Oral or IV
85
Emission and distribution of energy through space or a material medium
Radiation
86
What are the two major dysfunctions in the process of cancer development
Defective cell proliferation (growth) and defective cell differentiation
87
What is contact inhibition?
Normal cells respect the boundaries and territories of cells surrounding them
88
Cell proliferation originates in ______ and begins with the ______ enters the _________
Cell proliferation originates in the stem cell and begins when the stem cell enters the cell cycle
89
What do tumor suppressor genes do
Function to regulate cell growth. They prevent cells from going through the cell cycle
90
The primary difference between benign and malignant neoplasms is the
Characteristic of tissue invasiveness
