Cancer Final Flashcards
the major difference between benign and malignant
neoplasms
The ability of cells to invade and metastasize
Cancer is characterized by
Dysfunction in cellular proliferation
Dysfunction in cellular differentiation
Two major categories of cancer
- Solid tumors are associated with the organs from
which they develop - Hematologic cancers originate from blood cell-
forming tissues
define Carcinoma
Originate from embryonal ectoderm (skin and
glands) and endoderm (mucous membrane linings
of respiratory tract, GI tract, GU tract)
define Sarcoma
Originate from embryonal mesoderm (connective
tissue, muscle, bon, and fat)
define Lymphomas
Originate from hematopoietic system
describe Histologic
Grading
Appearance of cells
and degree of
differentiation categorized by grades 1-4
g1
mild dysplasia, well differentiated
g2
moderate dysplasia, moderately differentiated
g3
severe dysplasia, poorly differentiated
g4
cells are immature/primative (anaplasia) and undifferentiated. Cell of origin is difficult to determine
grade x
cannot be assessed
describe the 4 stages of cancer
Stage 0: Cancer in situ
* Stage I: Tumor limited to
tissue of origin; localized tumor
growth
* Stage II: Limited local spread
* Stage III: Extensive local and
regional spread
* Stage IV: Metastasis
Describe TNM Classification
Only used for solid tumors
- Tumor size and invasiveness (T)
- Presence or absence of regional
spread to lymph nodes (N) - Metastasis to distant organs (M)
The ONLY DEFINITIVE DIAGNOSIS of
malignancy
Biopsy
7 Warning Signs of Cancer:
- Change in bowel or bladder habits
- Any sore that does not heal
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Thickening or lump in breast or
elsewhere - Indigestion
- Obvious change of wart or mole
- Nagging cough or hoarseness
3 Goals of cancer treatment
- Cure
- Control
- Palliation
4 different types of cancer surgery
- Curative
- Palliative
- Reconstructive
- Preventative
how does Chemotherapy work
Kills or inhibits the reproduction of neoplastic
cells (cells that rapidly reproduce)
how does Radiation Therapy work
- Involves therapeutic application
of high-energy rays to tumors - Damage to normal cells is the
primary cause of side effects
and toxicity
Describe Neutropenia
Neutropenia occurs when the
Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
drops below 1,000.
The risk of infection is much higher
when the ANC < 500.
A healthy person has an ANC
between 2,500 and 6,000
how to calculate ANC
50% of WBC
a cancer pt NEEDS BLOOD, don’t just give erythropoietin IF ______
Hgb of 6.0 or below AND SYMPTOMATIC
spontaneous bleeding happens when thromb is ______ and below
20k. Should be above 50k
