How to treat cancers by knowing about their pathology Flashcards
give an example of a type of cancer that is malignant but does not metastasise
basal cell carcinoma
Does complete local excision of basal carcinoma = cure?
yes
What are some symptoms of leukaemia?
weight loss fever frequent infection SOB muscular weakness pain or tenderness in the points fatigue loss of appetite swelling of lymph nodes spline/hepatic enlargement night sweats easy bleeding and bruising purple patches/spots
How can carcinomas get to the bone?
through the blood
Which cancers commonly spread to bone?
kidney thyroid lung prostate breast
What methods can we use to find out more about a pt’s breast cancer?
biopsy using a core biopsy needle
ultrasound of axilla
PET scan
CT scan
How would we treat breast cancer that has spread to the axilla?
axillary lymph node clearance
How would we treat cancer that has spread to thereat of the body?
systemic (chemo) therapy
How would you treat cancer that has not spread to the rest of the body or the lymph nodes?
Surgery with or without axillary lymph node clearance
What is adjuvant therapy?
Extra treatment given after surgical excision
Give an example of adjuvant therapy
radiotherapy to breast after lumpectomy
Why is adjuvant therapy given after surgery?
Even if a tumour is completely excised, micromets could be present
Give to things which we can look for using immunohistochemistry
ER+/-
HER2 gene - whether it is amplified or not
Give two examples of adjuvant anti-oestrogen therapy
Tamoxifen
Anastrozole
Which drug do we give if there is HER2 gene amplification?
Trastuzumab
i.e. Herceptin (trade name)
