Colorectal Cancer Flashcards
What is colorectal cancer?
Cancer which starts in colon or rectal
Is it present in men or women
Both (higher survival rates in women)
Risk factor for development?
• Smocking
• obesity
• chronhs and UC
• alcohol
What are the modifiable vs fixed risk factors
Modifiable
• alcohol
• smoking
• obesity
• processed and red meat
Fixed Factors:
• age
• male
• genetics
• IBS
• diabetic
Signs & Symptoms of colorectal cancer?
• blood in urine
• abdominal pain
• weight loss
• changes in bowel habits
• lump in back passage
Diagnosis & interventions?
• FBC
• renal and liver function tests
• examination
• colonoscopy
• chest X-ray
Screening for CR cancer?
• available for 60-74
• home kit test - fecal imunochemical test
• home kit - seny every 2 years
Staging cancer: what 3 methods are used
TNM: tumour, nodes, metastases
Number staging: 0-4
Dukes: A-D ( A- early stage & D- advanced stage
Treatment options - why may surgery be complicated?
• uncontrollable bladder
• sextual dysfunction is males
Medication options
• 5-FU + folinic acid !!
• 5-FU + oxalipalin
Monoclonal antibodies - cetuximab
Where is the vomiting centre and chemoreceptor triggering zone located?
Medulla Oblongata
VC - triggers vomiting when activity reaches threshold
CTZ - found around body & detects harmful toxins in blood
Causes of N+V?
• pregnancy (caused by surge in hormone levels)
• motion sickness
• migraines (headache & N+V treat separatel)
• appendicitis
• gastroenteritis (caused by bacteria or virus)
• peptic ulcers
Conditions to eliminate
• pregnancy
• excess alcohol consumption
• medicine induced
• infants (Hirschsprung disease)
Hirschsprung disease
• Congenital issue - missing nerve cells in muscles of colon
• affects colon - issues with passing stool
Medication which induces N&V
• opioids
• NSAIDs
• cytotoxic drugs
• iron
• antibiotics
• SSRI
• digoxin
Self care advise.
• eat cold or slightly warm food if smell makes you feel sick
• Adequate water intake
• Small regular meals
• Ginger products
• Sit in the front seat of a vehicle
OTC management? 
Domperidone
Prochloperazine
Motion sickness:
Antihistamine
Anticholinergic
Domperidone
• dopamine receptor Antagonist
• Does not cross BBB
lost licence
Prochlorperazine
• antipsychotic
• blocks dopamine receptor in the CTZ
• passes BBB
• > 18
• Buccal tablet
Antihistamines
Cyclizine, cinnarizine, promethizine
• first generation
• side effects : Dry mouth + sedation
• caution: prostate enlargement
Anticholinergics
Hyoscine & Scopolamine
(Kwells)
• affects inner ear and brain to control vomiting and relaxes muscles in the walls of stomach
• Side effects: Dry mouth + constipation
