Cancer Class 5 - Chemotherapy & Massage Therapy Flashcards
A form of cancer treatment in which chemical agents are being circulated in the systemic bloodstream in order to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
T/F - Every cell in the body will be exposed to the chemicals involved in chemotherapy.
True
Chemotherapy is extremely _____ and has long term effects on patients who undergo it.
Toxic
T/F - Chemotherapy does not interfere with DNA synthesis or scramble RNA like radiation therapy.
False - Chemotherapy DOES interfere with DNA synthesis AND scramble RNA like radiation therapy.
____________ agents may be delivered in a variety of ways:
- Orally
- Intramuscularly
- Subcutaneously
- Intravenously
- Intrathecally
Chemotherapy
T/F - The type of chemotherapy has nothing to do with the type of cancer the patient has.
False - The type of chemotherapy has EVERYTHING to do with the type of cancer the patient has.
_______ reproducing cells, such as epithelium, endothelium and mucus membranes, will be most effected by chemotherapy in the _____ term.
Rapidly
Short
T/F - Most chemotherapy drugs are general agents/broad spectrum drugs in combination.
True
Some uses of ____________ include:
- For metastatic cancer
- As a primary treatment
- For neoadjuvant/preoperative purposes
- For palliative reasons
Chemotherapy
__________ cancer has the ability to move from one place to another, therefore ____________ is likely used first for treatment.
Metastatic
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the _______ treatment for blood cancers, such as lymphoma.
Primary
___________ chemotherapy is used prior to surgery to reduce the size of tumours in the body.
Neoadjuvant
__________ chemotherapy can help make a patient’s life a little more comfortable.
Palliative
Since chemotherapy depletes the _____ and causes them to collapse and bruise, typically a 1 inch incision will be made just below the clavicle where a ____ can be inserted and connected to the subclavian vein.
Veins
Port
Chemotherapy _____ are button shaped and sit under the skin where they are completely concealed. It serves as a ______ receptacle for the chemotherapy drugs to be injected into.
Ports
Stable
A ________ will link the chemotherapy port to the venous system, leading to the heart.
Catheter
T/F - After implantation surgery of a port, massage therapists need to evaluate the incision and abide by the 4 inch avoidance rule.
True
After __ to ___ days post-surgery regarding chemotherapy ports, there are no specific local contraindications to treating this area.
7-10 days
Chemotherapy is usually given in ______, typically once every 3 weeks. The infusion site is at the ________ and it is recommended that the patient has a “chemo _____.”
Cycles
Hospital
Buddy
Administering chemo drugs can take from 5 minutes to __ or more hours.
8 or more hours
T/F - A nurse cannot delay chemotherapy or do a blood transfusion if the blood counts are poor prior to treatment because a strict schedule must be upheld.
False - A nurse CAN delay chemotherapy or do a blood transfusion if the blood counts are poor prior to treatment.
Nausea, debilitation, pain and fatigue are all potential side effects from ____________.
Chemotherapy
“____ stroke massage” is effective for patients who are feeling ________ and anxious as they anticipate their chemotherapy treatments.
Slow
Nauseous
Chemotherapy irritates the _______ lining and causes gastrointestinal issues, such as ________.
Stomach
Diarrhea
T/F - Drugs that diminish nausea cannot cause diarrhea in chemo patients.
False - Drugs that diminish nausea CAN cause diarrhea in chemo patients.
_______ is a very common side effect of chemotherapy resulting from anemia. Most people will have a poor ________, which contributes to lower energy levels.
Fatigue
Appetite
T/F - Chemotherapy drugs have no effect on the thermoregulatory system, as patients will never feel cold.
False - Chemotherapy drugs have AN EFFECT on the thermoregulatory system, as patients will OFTEN feel cold.
An unpleasant effect of chemotherapy would be the patient complaining of a ________ taste in their mouth.
Metallic
T/F - Anorexia and digestive distress are potential side effects of chemotherapy.
True
At least 50% of people going through the “cancer year” will experience symptoms of _______ and __________, even if they haven’t identified with it prior.
Anxiety
Depression
_______ anxiety and depression results from the direct effect of chemical agents on the brain’s cognition. Often referred to as “chemo brain.”
Primary
T/F - Primary anxiety and depression is irreversible.
False - Primary anxiety and depression is REVERSIBLE.
_________ anxiety and depression results from having to deal with the long process of chemotherapy.
Secondary
T/F - If someone has toxic elements/chemicals circulating in the bloodstream, it is not possible for the massage therapist to promote over metabolization and make the patient feel more sick.
False - If someone has toxic elements/chemicals circulating in the bloodstream, it IS possible for the massage therapist to promote over metabolization and make the patient feel more sick.
Massage therapists should wait 2 to 3 days after chemotherapy before considering any ___________ massage.
Circulatory
_________ of skin and blood vessels is heavily impacted by chemotherapy. Even though the skin can become very ____, massage is not fully contraindicated, but techniques should be modified.
Fragility
Thin
Tiny broken blood vessels that are not usually painful.
Petechiae
There is potential for altered ________ phenomena with chemotherapy, therefore it is important to ask about the risk of hemorrhage or thrombus.
Clotting
T/F - Chemotherapy patients can bruise a lot easier depending on the chemical mixture they are recieving.
True
With chemotherapy, there is a cycle of illness and ________. Typically the patient will feel worse after each round.
Recovery
The average life span of a ___ blood cell is 90 to 120 days. There will be a drop in blood cell count around the ______ time frame of chemotherapy treatments.
Red
Middle
Some symptoms of ______, associated with decreased RBCs include:
- Decreased BP
- Lethargy/fatigue
- Dyspnea (SOB)
- Weakness (muscle atrophy)
- Rapid HR (palpitations)
- Dizziness/lightheadedness (orthostatic hypotension)
- Headaches
- Tinnitus
- Decreased temperature regulation (feeling cold)
- Increased tissue fragility
- Poor tissue recovery
- Decreased perfusion
Anemia
Some clinical concerns with ______, associated with decreased RBCs include:
- Modify pressure (e.g. tissue fragility, poor perfusion)
- Blood pressure (e.g. get up slowly, positioning)
- Warmth (e.g. extra blanket, thermophore, warmer treatment environment)
Anemia
During chemotherapy, there is a decrease in white blood cells leading to impaired ______ response, vulnerability to common “bugs,” along with altered ____________ and repair responses.
Immune
Inflammatory
T/F - It is important for massage therapists to stay on top of blood work, health/hygiene practices, and be cautious when using tissue altering work.
True
Decreased _________ leads to thrombocytopenia.
Platelets
T/F - Chemotherapy can only cause short term stress to vital organ systems, such as the liver and heart.
False - Chemotherapy can cause BOTH short term AND LONG TERM stress to vital organ systems, such as the liver and heart.
Chemotherapy can contribute to ________ changes in the body, as it can effect the patient’s mood and even quality of sperm/ovum.
Hormonal
_________ changes are present with chemotherapy, as synovial joints become “little pockets of toxicity” overtime leading to inflammation, swelling and pain.
Arthritic
T/F - Chemotherapy affects the nervous system and typically nerve endings in the periphery become more sensitive.
True
