Lecture 12 - Oncology Flashcards
What are 5 ways to use surgery in cancer care?
Diagnostic, treatment, prophylactic, palliative and reconstructive
What is the goal of surgery as a primary treatment for cancer?
Remove the entire tumor, any involved surrounding tissue including regional lymph nodes if required
What is salvage surgery?
Extensive surgical approach to treat local recurrence of cancer after a conservative approach was used
What are some NOC’s of cancer surgery?
Participation in health care decisions, anxiety control, knowledge of post-op course and of disease, body image, sexual functioning, bowel elimination and urinary continence
What are some NIC’s of cancer care?
Decision making support, anxiety reduction, teaching post-op care, body image enhancement, sexual counselling, constipation management and urinary elimination management
What is radiation in cancer care?
Use of ionizing radiation to interrupt cell growth
What 4 purposes does radiation have?
Primary treatment, adjuvant treatment, local/symptom control and palliative care
What 4 purposes does radiation have?
Primary treatment, adjuvant treatment, local/symptom control and palliative care
What kind of planning must the patient undergo prior to radiation?
Go through stimulation training, know what body position they will be in, wear masks that are moulded to that position and to get tattoos to show where exactly the radiation will hit
When are cells most vulnerable to radiation?
During DNA synthesis and mitosis (early S, G2 and M phases)
Which tissues are most sensitive to radiation?
Tissues that undergo frequent cell division such as bone marrow, lymphatic, GI tract and gonads
What is a radiosensitive tumor?
Radiation destroys tissue but normal tissues can still regenerate
What are radiosensitizers?
Because tumors that are well oxygenated response well, certain chemotherapy drugs can sensitize more hypoxic tumors to effects of radiation
What is an issue males have with radiation?
They can become sterile due to having radiation around the pelvic region so refer them to a sperm bank or sexual counselling
What are some common skin adverse effects to radiation?
Erythema to dry skin to moist desquamation
What are some interventions to treat skin adverse effects to radiation?
Avoid constrictive clothes, deodorants, oil-based creams, perfumes and avoid heat, cold, sunlight. Keep skin dry and open to air
What are some common bone marrow adverse effects to radiation?
Risk of infections, bleeding, fatigue, weakness
What are some interventions to treat bone marrow adverse effects to radiation?
Monitor CBC, platelet, education regarding infection control and possibly transfusions
What are some common anorexia-related adverse effects to radiation?
Fatigue, nausea, tumor cell break down
What are some interventions to treat anorexia-related adverse effects to radiation?
Eat small, frequent and nutritionally dense meals
What are some reasons that may be causing fatigue related to radiation?
Tumor cell breakdown, travel to treatment, and length of treatment that goes on for weeks to months
What are some interventions related to fatigue for radiation?
Energy conservation, and identify community resources to assist with travel
What is an example of a dose-limiting side effect of radiation?
Skin burn
What are brain-specific adverse effects to radiation?
Cerebral edema - watch for ICP and seizures
What are head and neck-specific adverse effects to radiation?
Stomatitis, xerostomia, change/ loss of taste
What are chest area- specific adverse effects to radiation?
Esophagitis, radiation, pneumonitis, and pulmonary fibrosis
What are abdomen/pelvic area-specific adverse effects to radiation?
Fertility, sexuality, cystitis, diarrhea and nausea
What are abdomen/pelvic area-specific adverse effects to radiation?
Fertility, sexuality, cystitis, diarrhea and nausea
What are antineoplastics?
Primary mode of action involves interfering with supply & utilization of building blocks of nucleic acids. It also interferes with intact DNA and RNA molecules needed for cell growth and replication
What are antineoplastics?
Primary mode of action involves interfering with supply & utilization of building blocks of nucleic acids. It also interferes with intact DNA and RNA molecules needed for cell growth and replication
What are the 3 main goals of chemotherapy?
Cure, control, palliation
What are 5 different routes for administering chemotherapy?
PO, IV, intrathecal, intraperitoneal and intracavity
What does narrow therapeutic index mean for chemotherapy?
There is a fine balance between therapeutic effect of antineoplastic drugs and its toxicities
What are short term adverse effects of chemotherapy?
Decreased WBC, RBC, PLT, alopecia, N/V, mucositis, diarrhea, dehydration, fluid overload, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, constipation, allergic/ anaphylactic reactions, irritation of skin, progressing to tissue damage extravasation
What are long term adverse effects of chemotherapy
Neuropathy, pulmonary fibrosis, renal dysfunction, cardiac dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, cognitive changes, hypocalcemia, rash, nail changes, hyperpigmentation, sun sensitivity, secondary malignancy, thyroid problems
What is “chemo brain”?
Patients may have memory issues related to chemotherapy taking months to clear out of the brain
What is modified radical mastectomy?
Entire breast is removed and the lining over the pectoralis major muscle. Pectoralis minor may not be removed and axillary lymph node dissection is part of the surgery
What is total mastectomy?
All breast tissue is removed as well as the areolar and nipple. Does not include ALND
What is total mastectomy?
All breast tissue is removed as well as the areolar and nipple. Does not include ALND