Exam 4 - Breast Cancer/Lymphedema

Question 1

What is the key to successful disease management of breast cancer?

Answer 1

Early detection

Question 2

True/False: Breast cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in women?

Answer 2

FALSE! It is the most common cancer in women.

Question 3

What are some risk factors for breast cancer?

Answer 3

• age; over 40
• family history or genetic factor (BRCA1 or BRCA2)
• african american (highest risk, asian lowest)
• early menstruation and/or late menopause
• 1st baby after 30
• no children (risk doubles)
• hormone replacement therapy

Question 4

Do premenopausal women have more or less aggressive cancer?

Answer 4

More aggressive cancer

Question 5

List some surgical procedures for breast cancer:

Answer 5

• lumpectomy (breast conserving)
• modified radical mastectomy
• sentinel node biopsy

Question 6

Describe a lumpectomy:

Answer 6

• partial mastectomy
• removal of the entire tumor along with some surrounding tissue
• radiation therapy delivered to entire breast after surgery

Question 7

Describe modified radical mastectomy:

Answer 7

• removal of the breast and axillary lymph nodes
• pectoralis major is preserved
• for larger tumors or more extensive disease

Question 8

What is sentinel node biopsy?

Answer 8

• surgical procedure to detect if cancer spread to lymph nodes
• used to spare as many nodes as possible
• dye is injected to locate nodes
• a few nodes are removed, sent to the laboratory and detected for cancer
• if cancer is detected more lymph nodes will be removed
• if no cancer is detected lymph nodes are spared

Question 9

Radiation therapy:

Answer 9

• external or internal, pre or post operative
• an additional therapy for stages 1–2
• primary treatment for pt’s with poor surgical risk
• axillary radiation therapy for positive nodes

Question 10

Chemotherapy treatment:

Answer 10

• follows surgery with stages 1–2
• receptor positive tumors (tamoxophen for 5 years)
• stage 3 – high-dose chemo with surgery and RT
• stage 4 – chemotherapy
• role of hormonal status/therapy

Question 11

What are some ways to prevent lymphedema?

Answer 11

• no blood pressure readings, venipunctures or injections on the affected arm
• use of compression bandaging, compression sleeve
• elevation of the arm
• isometric exercises

Question 12

Who is most at risk for lymphedema?

Answer 12

• obese

- heavy lifting