Cancer Lecture Flashcards
what is cancer?
group of disorders known as “malignancy”
abnormal cell proliferation –> mass (solid tumor) or invading hematologic system (liquid tumor)
- acquired thru genetic mutation, can destroy surrounding tissue, occurs anywhere
what is a benign tumor?
dont spead but can increase in size, presses on local structures (NOT cancerous/malignant)
what is carcinogenesis?
malignant transformation of normal cells –> cancer cells
what is dysplasia?
“precancerous with risk of becoming cancerous
most common cancers in males?
- prostate (29%)
- lung/bronchus (12%)
- urinary bladder (8%)
- melanoma
most common cancers in females?
- breast (31%)
- lung (13%)
- colon/rectum (8%)
cancer that causes most deaths?
- lung (male/female - 21%)
- prostate (11%)
- breast (female - 15%)
what are risk factors for developing cancer? (17)
**tobacco/smoking - leading cause of lung cancer
- diet/obesity/lack of physical activity - high fat/calorie/meats
- genetics
- occupational/environmental - asbestos, pesticides, formaldehydes, arsenic, soot, tar
- infectious agents - ebstein-barr, hep B, HPB, HIV
- age
- gender
- race
- sunlight
- immune function
- chronic irritation/tissue trauma
- alcohol
- sexual lifestyle
- socioeconomic
- geographic location
- hormones
CAUTION (major warning signs)
C - changes in bowel/bladder
A - a sore that doesn’t heal
U - unusual bleeding/discharge
T - thickening/lump
I - indigestion/difficulty swallowing
O - obvious change in wart/mole
N - nagging cough/hoarseness
signs/symptoms of cancer
General: night sweats, fever, weight loss, fatigue, weakness, cachexia
Neuro: unrelenting HA, vision changes, paresthesia, slurred speech, seizures
Pain: unrelenting/worsening
New lumps/bumps
Lung: new/worsening SOB, hemoptysis
GI: loss of appetite, B/V, abdominal distention
GU: enlarged prostate s/s (slow stream, diffic
signs/symptoms of cancer
General: night sweats, fever, weight loss, fatigue, weakness, cachexia
Neuro: unrelenting HA, vision changes, paresthesia, slurred speech, seizures
Pain: unrelenting/worsening
New lumps/bumps
Lung: new/worsening SOB, hemoptysis
GI: loss of appetite, B/V, abdominal distention
GU: enlarged prostate s/s (slow stream, difficulty, stream stops/starts
Heme: bruising/bleeding, new DVT/PE
what is the breast cancer screening?
mammogram (self breast exam)
starts age 40; earlier if high risk
cervical cancer screening
pap test, +/- HPV DNA
starts at 21
what is the colorectal cancer screening?
starts at 45
flexible sigmoidoscopy
colonoscopy
gFOBT or FIT
multi-targeted stool DNA test (MT-SDNA)
what is the lung cancer screening?
low dose CT scan annually
current/former smokers (quit within past 15 years, ages 55-74, 30 pack year or more)
what is the prostate cancer screening?
digital rectal exam (DRE) and PSA (prostate specific antigen)
starts at 50, age 45 for African American males
purpose of imaging studies?
detects tumor, lymph nodes, metastases
used for staging
typically multiple scans (mammogram, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, bone scan, PET/CT scan
what is the purpose of a biopsy/types?
*tissue needed to tell tumor type/confirm if malignant
needle biopsy
fine needle aspirate (FNA): cells ONLY
core needle: “core” tissue; includes bone marrow biopsy
excisional: used for small accessible tumor (palpable lymph node)
what is the nurse role in pre-biopsy?
patient/family education on procedure
- NPO, restrict fluids, light breakfast
- hold blood thinners
- meds to hold/timing
- manage pt/family anxiety
- provide teaching hand outs
what is the nurse role day of the procedure? (biopsy)
admin pre-procedure meds
- positioning
- monitoring
- provide safe environment
- assist pt/fam anxiety
- post-procedure instructions
what is the nurse role in post procedure? (biopsy)
phone call follow up with pt
what are the stages of solid tumors?
- based on imaging/pathology results
T = tumor size, extent of local invasion
N = lymph node involvement
M = metastases
Stages:
o - carcinoma in situ (precancerous)
I - early stage
II
III
IV - metastatic
what is TNM staging?
T - extent of primary tumor
N - absence/presence + extent of regional lymph node metastasis
M - absence/presence of distant metastasis
what is primary tumor (T) staging?
Tx - primary tumor cant be assessed
T0 - no evidence of primary tumor
Tis - carcinoma in situ
T1, T2, T3, T4 - increasing size and/local extent of primary tumor