Cancer Flashcards
Define Cancer
Uncontrolled, unregulated cell growth and division with the resultant tissue termed a neoplasm.
What is proliferation?
Cell division that replaces old cells/forms new cells
What is differentiation?
New cells develop the structure and function of the cell they are replacing
What is defective apoptosis?
Defective cell death - major cause of the development and progression of cancer.
What is a benign neoplasm?
Well differentiated, lost the genetic signals to stop proliferation
(new cells take up the structure and function of host cell and keep multiplying)
What is a malignant neoplasm?
New cells are different from the host cells and they have no control over proliferation and differentiation.
They grow rapidly and invade other cells
What is metastasis?
Cancer ensuring its own survival -
Development of a secondary tumour which retains the characteristics of the primary tumour but in another area of the body
How is cancer classified?
By the cell type affected
What are the classifications of cancer and what cells do they affect?
Lymphoma = immune cells Sarcoma = bone and connective tissue cells Leukemia = blood cells Carcinoma = epithelial cells CNS cancers = neural tissue
How can cancer develop?
Exposure to carcinogenic agents
High BMI and T2DM
Diet (high levels of processed meat, charcoal on food)
Age
Gender - Male more common due to fat mass
Family History
Late onset of menopause and age at first birth
Demographics in NZ:
- Slightly more common in men
- Higher in Maori
- Most common type was colorectal and prostate, followed by breast and melanoma
Demographics in US:
- Breast cancer number 1 cause of death and mortality in women
- Colorectal second most frequent
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
- Breast examination and family history
- Imaging
- Biopsy
How are the stages of breast cancer determine?
Using the TNM system -
T = tumor size
N = Node
M = metastesis
Stage 1 = Local or Early
Stage 4 = Advanced
How is breast cancer graded?
Depends on how abnormal cells are to normal cells (Extent of differentiation)
Describe 3 main types of breast cancer:
Ductal carcinoma in situ: - non invasive confined to the ducts Lobular carcinoma in situ: - non invasive confined to the lobules Invasive carcinoma - spreads locally and can metastasise
How is colorectal cancer diagnosed?
- Clinical examination
- Family History
- Blood Tests
- Colonoscopy
- Biopsy
- Imaging (CT, ultrasound, MRI)
Give two examples of local cancer treatment:
Surgery and Radiotherapy
Give two examples of systemic cancer treatment:
Chemotherapy and Hormonal therapy
Describe the effect of cancer treatment on physical function
Treatment can cause :
- reduced CV, immune and pulmonary function
- muscle weakness
- fatigue
- decreased bone mineral density
What are two main ways of breast reconstruction?
Implant or Tissue Flap
Side effects of breast cancer treatment?
Fatigue, decreased ROM in upper extremities, lung fibrosis, lymphedema
Side effects of Colorectal cancer?
deconditiong, diarrhea, fatigue, pelvic pain, nausea, mouth ulcers
Aerobic Exercise recommendations in cancer patients:
- Do as much as they can
- Interval training
- slow progression
Resistance Exercise recommendations in cancer patients:
- Do as much as they can avoid exhaustion
- Functional
- Specific
- Flexibility to promote ROM
Contraindications to exercise:
- Acute illness
- Fever
- Pain
- Low blood count
Responses to Exercise:
Improve / Regain
- physical function
- aerobic capacity
- lean tissue
- flexibility
- strength
- QOL
- mood
- social interaction
Reduce
- fat mass
- pain and nausea
- cancer related fatigue
Considerations for cancer patients as a CEP:
Educate clients on psychological benefits
Make prescription enjoyable, engaging and challenging
Tend to barriers
Document everything with cancer patients!!
