Chapter 1: Cancer & Nutrition-Significance & Background Flashcards
5 most common types of cancer in the US for men
Prostate Lung Colorectal Urinary Bladder Melanoma
What fraction of cancer deaths are related to obesity, physical activity and poor nutrition?
1/3
Which 2 nutrients play a role in DNA repair?
Selenium and Folate
T or F: TNM Classification for tumor staging refers to — Tumor Nodes Mass
False
“Apoptosis” refers to
Programmed Cell Death - “a programmed sequence of events leads to the elimination of cells”
One of the most widely used tumor staging tools is known as:
TNM - The Tumor, lymph Nodes, and Metastasis classification system
Grade G2 is associated with what type of differentiation?
Intermediate Grade
T of F: A palpable tumor can still be classified as T1 Disease?
False - T1 is defined as “not palpable or visible by imaging”
73 year old male diagnosed with T3N2Mx Squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx. Summarize the primary tumor via the TNM system
Tumor extends to the neighboring tissue
Food components such as Curcumin may play a role in carcinogenesis by inducing apoptosis and by inhibiting angiogenesis. What food product should be recommended to increase intake of Curcumin?
Tumeric
There is evidence that nutrients may play a protective role in carcinogenesis. What nutrient can be both protective of carcinogenesis and alternatively accelerate cancer cell proliferation, depending on the stage of carcinogenesis the cell is in?
Folate - adequate folate has been shown to be associated with lower cancer risk however, once carcinogenesis has begun folate can accelerate it
Which nutrient in the form of calcium leucovorin may be used to “rescue” patients from methotrexate toxicity or alternatively enhance the effectiveness of drugs such as 5-fluorouracil?
Folate
A new oncology fellow asks you how you can help a cancer patient using nutrition. You tell her that nutrition intervention during cancer treatment is associated with:
Fewer side effects, fewer hospitalizations, and better quality of life
The cause of most cancers can be attributed to?
Internal factors - like hormones and immune system
External factors - like infection, environmental toxins, and behaviors like smoking, sunlight exposure and unhealthy diet
A 55 year old woman diagnosed with cancer. What nutrition issue may she encounter in the early post-treatment time?
What long term side effects might effect her cancer survivorship?
Early post-treatment: Fatigue, Endocrine disorders, and Cognitive deficits
Long term post treatment: Weight Changes, cognitive deficits, and endocrine disorders
Supplementation of this nutrient is suspected of increasing rate of colorectal cancer?
Folate
What does the TNM stand for when used for staging?
T: size and/or extent of the tumor
N: extent of spread to local lymph nodes
M: presence of distant metastasis
What is the term for the process by which normal cells transform into cancer cells, usually as a result of accumulating genetic damage?
Carcinogenesis
Which nutrient can help prevent methotrexate toxicity? In what form?
Folate — in the form of calcium leucovorin
It is also used to enhance the effectiveness of drugs that target enzymes that use folate as a cofactor such as 5-fluorouracil.
What are the 5 most common cancer types in the U.S for women?
breast lung colorectal uterine thyroid
What nutrients may have an effect during cell cycle arrest and aptosis?
selenium and curcumin
Food components that have protective effects in carcinogenesis. What mechanism of action is found for the following components?
Folate
Curcumin
Indole-3-Carbinol
Selenium
Folate - DNA synthesis and DNA repair
Curcumin - Induce apoptosis and inhibit angiogenesis
Indole-3-Carbinol - Influence estrogen regulation and induce cell cycle arrest
Selenium - Alter hormone regulation
What are potential nutritions issue during initial cancer treatment?
Anorexia Taste changes GI symptoms (i.e. N/V/D)
Name different types of cancer screening methods and give examples
physical examination: breast/testicle self exams, skin exam looking for pigmentation
blood tests: PSA
imaging: mammograms, colonoscopies
molecular tests: genotyping
Explain the different grades of the Tumor part of TNM
Tx=cannot be evaluated T0=no evidence of tumor Tis=in situ, abnormal cells that have not spread, possibly precancerous T1=not palpable or visible by imaging T2=confined to primary cancer site T3=extends to neighboring tissue T4=metastatic disease
Explain the different grades of the Lymph Nodes part of TNM
Nx=regional lymph nodes cannot be evaluated
N0=no regional lymph node involvement
N1, 2, 3=involvement of regional lymph nodes (number/extent of spread)
Explain the different grades of the Metastasis part of TNM
Mx=distant metastasis cannot be evaluated
M0=no distant metastasis
M1=distant metastasis present
Explain the Histological Cancer Tumor Grading System
Gx - undetermined/can't be assessed G1 - well-differentiated (low grade) G2 - moderately differentiated (intermediate grade) G3 - poorly differentiated (high grade) G4 - undifferentiated (high grade)
Potential Nutrition Issues - Cancer Prevention
Obesity, body fatness Energy-dense food intake Excessive micro nutrient intake from dietary supplements food contaminants (toxins, chemicals)
Potential Nutrition Issues - Initial Treatment
Side Effects of Treatment Fatigue Pain Anorexia Treatment-related cachexia Immuno-suppression Weight/body composition changes Drug-nutrition interactions
Potential Nutrition Issues - Early Post Treatment
Fatigue Pain Endocrine disorders Weight / body composition changes cognitive deficits dental caries/complications
Potential Nutrition Issues - Long term Cancer Survivorship
weight changes osteoporosis endocrine disorders cardiovascular complications cognitive deficits dental caries/complications
