Cancer (C) Flashcards
What is the second leading cause of death in the US?
Cancer
What is a neoplasm/neoplasia?
A tumor/cancer
What does it mean for cancer to metastasize?
To spread through the blood
What is a carcinoma?
Tumor of the epithelial (lining) cells: outer skin, digestive lining, bladder, womb, or a tube/duct
What is a sarcoma?
Tumor of the soft tissues (uncommon). Muscle, fat, nerves, tendons, lymph vessels, and bones in the legs
What is a lymphoma?
Tumor of the lymph tissue: nodes, bone marrow, spleen, and thymus gland
What is leukemia?
Cancer of the WBCs or bone marrow or spleen
What are the three types of skin cancer?
Basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma
What is the most common form of skin cancer?
Basal cell (outer layer of skin from sunlight exposure)
Who is at risk for basal cell carcinoma?
Those with light features
Where does squamous cell carcinoma occur?
In the upper layers of skin exposed to chronic sunlight or injury sites
Which form of skin cancer is the deadliest but 100% curable if diagnosed early?
Melanoma
Where does melanoma occur?
In cells producing melanin (usually dark, but sometimes pink or purple)
How often should a dermatologist screen for skin cancer?
Yearly
What viruses are linked to cancer?
Epstein-Barr, hepatitis B, HIV, herpes, retrovirus and HPV
AIDS/HIV is associated with what cancer?
Kaposi’s sarcoma of the connective tissue
How many cancer cases are linked to excess body fat?
117,000
Obesity increases the risk of developing how many cancers?
Seven: colorectal, post menopausal breast, kidney, pancreatic, endometrium, gallbladder, and esophageal (adeno-carcinoma).
Sitting how many hours a day elevates cancer risk?
6+ hours
What cancers are associated with nitrites?
Stomach, esophagus, and colorectal
What cancer is associated with red meat?
Colorectal
What cancers are associated with high-fat diets?
Uterus, breast, prostate, and colon
What cancer is associated with high consumption of salty foods?
Stomach
What cancers are associated with alcohol intake?
Colon, rectum, breast, esophagus, mouth, and liver
Red meat should be limited to how many ounces per week to reduce cancer risk?
Under 18oz
What is one drink of alcohol equivalent to?
12oz beer, 1.5oz spirits, or 5oz wine
What is the typical first indication of cancer?
Weight loss
Anorexia occurs in what percent of cancer patients at diagnosis?
15-25%
What are the effects of cancer?
Hypoalbuminemia and anemia, early satiety due to decreased secretions, decreased taste acuity, and hyperglycemia
Decreased salivary secretions during cancer can lead to what?
Xerostomia (dry mouth), dysphagia, and tooth decay
Decreased small intestine cell regeneration during cancer can lead to what?
Hemorrhagic colitis
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea during cancer can lead to what?
Electrolyte imbalances and fluid retention
Possible steroid weight gain may occur with which cancer?
Breast
Chemotherapy should be withheld until how many hours before and after meals?
2-3 hours
How often should comfort foods be included in a cancer patient’s diet?
Liberally
How should diarrhea during cancer be addressed in the diet?
A low-residue diet
Cancer causes what metabolic state?
Hyper metabolic state
How should the hyper metabolic state in cancer be addressed through diet (calories and protein)?
High protein, cal, and nutrient. 30-35 calories and 1.0-1.2g protein per kg of body weight. (1.3-2.0 protein if malnourished.)
Supplements that contain more than 100% DRI for which vitamins should be avoided during cancer treatment?
Antioxidants
Why are fluids important in the diet of a cancer patient?
To eliminate waste
