Cancer Flashcards
The number one non modifiable risk factor for cancer
Age
- Tends to affect the very young and 65 and older
The number one preventable carcinogen
Tobacco
- Use of tobacco both initiates and promotes cancer
How does cancer begin (cellular)
Begins when an abnormal cell is transformed by the genetic mutation of the cellular DNA. Cell forms a clone and begins to proliferate - ignores growth regulating signals and changes the surrounding tissue. These abnormal cells infiltrate and gain access to lymph nodes and blood vessels, which travel to other areas of the body.
Epidemiology of Cancer
- Tends to affects the very young and 65 and older
- Affects more men than women
- Increased incidence of those who work in industrialized sectors
What is a primary tumor?
Original tumor site
Parent Tissue
Cells identified from which it came from
Metastasis
Primary tumors first extend into the surrounding tissues –> tumor cells secrete enzymes, causing pressure –> cause size increase –> forced cells to invade new territory
- Blood borne metastasis is most common cause of metastasis disease
Three interacting factors influence cancer development
- Exposure to carcinogen
- Genetic predisposition
- Immune function
- These account for variation in cancer development from one person to another - even if exposed to the same hazard
Viral Causes of Cancer
Difficult to evaluate due to their difficulty to isolate. Thought to incorporate themselves in the genetic structure of the cell
Examples of Viral Causes of Cancer
- Epstein-Barr = primary liver cancer
- Hepatitis B = primary liver cancer
- HPV = cervical, vulvar, and other genital carcinomas
Examples of Bacterial Causes of Cancer
Helicobacter pylori = gastric malignancy
Can alcohol cause cancer?
Increases cancer risk of mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, colorectal, and breast
- No more than two drinks per day for men
- One beverage per day for women
Etiology of Cancer: Hormonal Agents
- Breast, prostate, and uterus believed to rely on endogenous hormonal levels for growth
- OCPs and prolonged estrogen therapy associated with hepatocellular, endometrial, and breast cancer
- Menarche of < 12 years, delayed onset of menopause, etc. increase risk of cancer of breast
- Increased number of pregnancies associated with breast endometrial and ovarian
Primary Prevention of Cancer
- Avoidance of known or potential carcinogens
- Modifying associated factors
- Removal of “at risk” tissues
- Chemoprevention
- Vaccination
Chemoprevention
Used for primary prevention of cancer
- Using ASA and Celecoxib to decrease risk of colon cancer
- Vitamin D and Tamoxifen to decrease risk of breast cancer
- Lycopene to reduce risk of prostate cancer
Secondary Prevention of Cancer
- Yearly mammogram for women > 40 years of age
- Clinical breast exam for women > 40 years of age every 3 years
- Colonoscopy at age 50 and then every 10 years
- Yearly fecal occult blood for adults of all ages
- Yearly prostate specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal exam (DRE) for men older than 50
Seven Warning Signs of Cancer
C = change in bowel/bladder habits A = a sore that doesn't heal U = unusual bleeding or discharge T = thickening or lump in breast/elsewhere I = indigestion or difficulty in swallowing O = obvious change in wart or mole N = nagging cough or hoarseness
Three types of cancer staging
- Clinical
- Surgical
- Pathologic
Clinical Staging
Assesses the patient’s clinical manifestations and evaluates clinical signs for tumor size and possible spread
Surgical Staging
Assesses the patient’s clinical manifestations and evaluates clinical signs for tumor size and possible metastatic disease
Pathologic Staging
Most Definitive Type in determining tumor size, number sites, and spread by pathologic examination of tissues obtained at surgery
Duke’s Staging
Stages colon and rectal cancer
Clark’s Staging
Stages skin cancer
Three Forms of Cancer Treatment
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
Prophylactic Surgery
Removal of “at risk” tissue
- removal of mole from a site where there is constant irritation
Diagnostic Surgery
Removal of part or all of a suspected lesion
- provides proof of the presence of cancer
Curative Surgery
Removal of the entire neoplasm
- Prostatectomy
Cytoreductive Surgery
Known as “cancer control”; removing part of the tumor and leaving a known amount of gross tumor
- known as “debulking”; reduces the number of cancer cells and increases the chances that other therapies can be successful
Palliative Surgery
Focus is to improve the quality of one’s life - not focused on a cure
- Removal of tumor that is causing pain or causing obstruction
Second Look Surgery
This is a “rediagnosis” surgery after the patient has went through some type of treatment, such as radiation or chemo
- most common type of surgery used with ovarian cancer
Reconstructive or Rehabilitative Surgery
Enhances appearance, function of area, or both
- breast reconstruction after mastectomy
Types of Radiation Therapy
- Teletherapy
2. Brachytherapy
Teletherapy
A “distant” type of treatment - radiation source is external to patient
- Because this source is external, the patient is not radioactive and is not a hazardous threat to others
Brachytherapy
Is a “close” or “short” therapy - the radiation source comes into direct and continuous contact with the tumor tissues for a specific amount of time
- It produces a high amount of radiation to the tumor with limited amount around surrounding tissue
- Patient emits radiation and is a hazard to others
Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
- Skin changes and hair loss
- Altered taste sensation
- Fatigue
- Tissue fibrosis and scarring
Nursing Considerations for Patient on Teletherapy
- Wash the irritated area gently with either water or a mild soap and water as ordered
- Use your hand rather than a washcloth to provide gentle care to skin
- Rinse soap thoroughly and pat skin dry with a clean, soft towel
- If there are ink and dye marks, be careful not to remove them, as this indicates the exact area where the beam of radiation is to be focused
- No powders, ointments, lotions, or creams at the radiation site, unless prescribed
- Wear soft clothing over the radiation site, avoid wearing belts, buckles, straps or any type of clothing that binds or rubs the skin at the site.
- Avoid exposure of the area to the sun, avoid tense sunrays—plan outdoor activities early in the morning or late in the evening
- Avoid heat exposure
Nursing Considerations for Patient on Brachytherapy
- Assign private room with a private bathroom
- Door of patient’s room needs a “Caution: Radioactive Material” sign
- If portable lead shields are used, place between patient and door
- Keep patient’s room door closed as much as possible
- Wear a dosimeter film badge at all times during the patient’s care. While badge offers no protection, it does measure the exposure to radiation. Do not ever share badge—should only be used by who it is assigned to.
- Wear lead apron while providing care. Apron should always be facing the source of radiation (never turn your back toward the patient)
- Pregnant nurses should not be assigned to these patients. Pregnant women or those <16yrs of age should not visit.
- Visiting hours should be limited to 30 minutes per day. Visitors should remain at least 6 feet away from the source.
- Do not touch the source with bare hands. If source becomes dislodged, use long-handled forceps to retrieve it. Dispose the radioactive source in a lead container that is kept in the room.
- Save all dressings and bed linens until after the radioactive source is removed. (Other equipment can be removed from the room at any time without special precautions and does not pose a hazard to other people)
How is dosage determined for chemotherapy?
Dosage is determined by the patient’s total body surface area, previous response to chemo or radiation therapy, and function of major organ systems. When receiving chemo, weight needs to be done prior to administration
Extravasation
Antineoplastic chemo agents are additionally classified by their potential to damage soft tissue if they inadvertently leak from a vein (extravasation). If extravasation is suspected, the medication is stopped immediately, and dependent on the drug, an attempt is made to aspirate any remaining drug from the site through the existing needle.
Vesicants
These are agents that if deposited into the subcutaneous tissue, cause tissue necrosis and damage to the underlying tendons, nerves, and blood tissues. It may take weeks before damage is apparent. Damage can be so severe that area may require skin graft(s).
Chemotherapeutic Agents
- Alkylating Agents
- Antimetabolites
- Antitumor Antibiotics
- Antimitotics or Antimicrotubules
- Topoisomerase Inhibitors