Lung and Colorectal Cancer Flashcards
Cachexia
extreme body wasting and malnutrition; develops from an imbalance of food intake and energy use
Weight maintenance
diet high in protein and carbs
Purpose of cancer management
to prolong survival time or improve quality of life
Cancer therapy includes
radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal manipulation, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy
Prophylactic surgery
removes “at-risk” tissue; performed when a pt has an existing premalignant condition or a family history that predisposes the person to development of a specific cancer
Diagnostic surgery (biopsy)
removal of all or part of a suspected lesion for examination and testing; proof of presence
Curative surgery
removal of all cancer tissue
Cancer control/cytoreductive surgery
removes part of but not the entire tumor; aka “debulking” surgery; decreases the number of cancer cells
Palliative surgery
focuses on improving the quality of life during the survival time; does not focus on cure
Second-look surgery
“rediagnosis” after treatment; assess disease status in pts who have been treated
Reconstructive/Rehabilitative surgery
increases function, enhances appearance, or both
Pt centered collaborative care
Assess coping; support pt; encourage to express concerns; assist in helping accept changes in appearance or function; encourage pt to look at, touch surgical site, and participate in dressing changes; provide info regarding support groups; refer to mental health as needed
Radiation therapy
destroys cancer cells; minimal damaging effects on the surrounding normal cells; most is ionizing radiation; cells damaged either die outright or become unable to divide
Exposure
amount of radiation delivered to a tissue
Radiation dose
amount of radiation absorbed by the tissue
Rate of death with radiation therapy
a few cells die immediately; more die within the next 24 hrs as they attempt to divide
Radiation therapy administration
given as a series of divided doses; small doses given on a daily basis for a set time period
Teletherapy
radiation delivered from a source outside of the pt; the pt is not radioactive and is not hazardous to others
Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
type of teletherapy; breaks up the single beam into thousands of smaller beams that allow better focus on the tumor
Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)
type of teletherapy; uses 3-dimensional tumor imaging to identify the exact tumor location; delivered in one to five separate treatment sessions
Teletherapy notes
location is determined for therapy accuracy; pt must always be in the same position for each therapy session
Brachytherapy
“short” or “close” therapy; direct, continuous contact with tumor tissues for a specific time period; high does of radiation in tumor tissues; limited dose in surrounding normal tissues; uses radioactive isotopes; radiation source is inside pt; pt emits radiation for period of time and is hazard to others
Brachytherapy - unsealed isotopes
enter body fluids and are eliminated in waste products
Brachytherapy - sealed radiation
implanted within or near the tumor; deliver “low-dose rates”; pt is hospitalized for several days; also delivers “high-dose rate”; pt has therapy several days a week for 1 or so hrs; pt is only radioactive when implant is in place
Radiation side effects
skin changes, hair loss, altered taste sensations, fatigue
Care of pt with sealed radiation
private room/bath; “Caution: radioactive” sign on door; portable lead shields should be placed between the pt and the door; keep pts door closed; limit visitors to 30-minutes and remain 6 ft from pt; never touch source with bare hands; keep all dirty linens bagged in room until radioactive source is removed
Side effects of radiation therapy
skin changes, hair loss, altered taste sensations, fatigue
Skin protection during radiation therapy
wash with mild soap and water; use hand to wash; rinse soap thoroughly from skin; do not remove ink or dye markings that identify radiation beam focus; pat skin dry; only use skin care prescribed by radiation dept; wear soft clothing over radiation site; avoid sun; avoid heat
Chemotherapy
treatment of cancer with chemical agents; used to cure and to increase survival time; tumors with rapid growth are more sensitive to chemotherapy
Alkylating agents
prevents DNA and RNA synthesis to inhibit cell division
Antimetabolites
resemble normal metabolites and are “counterfeit” metabolites that fool cancer cells into using the antimetabolites in cellular reactions; impairs cell division
Antimitotic agents
interfere with the formation and actions of microtubules; cells cannot complete mitosis during cell division; cell either does not divide at al or divides only once; results in two daughter cells that cannot continue to divide
Antitumor antibiotics
damage the cells DNA and interrupt DNA or RNA synthesis
Topoisomerase inhibitors
disrupt an enzyme needed for DNA synthesis and cell division; prevents proper DNA maintenance; causes DNA breakage and cell death
Combination chemotherapy
giving more than one specific anticancer drug in a times manner; more effective in killing cancer cells; side effects and damage caused to normal tissues increases with combination therapy
Chemotherapy dosage
calculated according to type of cancer and pts size; based on mg per squared meter of total body surface area; given on regular basis; timed to maximize cancer cell kill and minimize damage to normal cells; usually scheduled every 3-4 wks
Intrathecal route
delivers drugs into the spinal canal
intraventricular route
delivers drugs into the ventricles of the brain
Intraperitoneal route
delivers drugs into the abdominal cavity
Intravesicular route
delivers drugs into the bladder
Intravenous route
most preferred route; nurse should have completed a chemotherapy course
Priority for IV chemotherapy
prevention of extravasation; close monitoring
Chemotherapy cautions for health care workers
use extreme caution when handling, preparing, giving, or disposing of chemo; wear PPE including eye protection, masks, double gloves, gown
Chemo side effect: Bone marrow suppression
neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia
Neutropenia
reduced neutrophils; increase risk of infection; most infections are result of pt’s own normal flora
Care of pt with neutropenia
private room; handwashing; pt room/bathroom cleaned daily; no common supplies; limit number of health care personnel entering room; monitor VS every 4 hrs; inspect mouth, skin, and mm every 8 hrs; inspect open areas every 4 hrs; change wound drsg daily; obtain specimens for culture of suspicious areas; cough/deep breathe; appropriate activity level; change IV tubing daily; frequently used equipment in room; limit visitors to healthy adults; strict aseptic technique; monitor WBC/absolute neutrophil count daily; avoid foley catheter; no fresh flowers, raw fruits and vegetables, undercooked meat, eggs, and fish, pepper, paprika
Teach pt to report
temp >100; persistent cough; pus or foul-smelling drainage; boil or abscess; cloudy or foul smelling urine that causes burning