Neoplasms Lecture #3 Flashcards
Cancer Signs and Symptoms in Children
- Continued, unexplained weight loss
- Headache, often with early morning vomiting
- Increased swelling or persistent pain in bones, joints, back or legs
- Lump or mass, especially in the abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis or armpits (lymphadenopathy)
- Development of excessive brusing, bleeding, rash
- Constant Infections
- A whitish color behind the pupil
- Nausea which persists or vomiting without nausea
- Constant tiredness or noticeable paleness
- Eye or vision changes which occur suddenly
- Recurrent or persistent fevers of unknown origin
Surgery
- Local Treatment
- Oldest Form of cancer treatment
Radiation Therapy
- Local treatment
- used on radiosenstive tumors (rapidly dividing cells)
Chemotherapy
- Combination Chemotherapy
- Reduces drug resistance
- Synergistic action
- Varied toxicities
Hormonal Therapy
Directed against hormone receptors on cancer cells
Biologic Therapy
- Direct anti-tumor effect
- Initiate or modify host immune response
- Interfere with cell’s ability to metastasize or differentiate
- Side effects due to stimulation of immune system
Molecular targeted therapy
designed to block one or more cell functions (mistakes) that make the cell cancerous
What are some common psychological responses to the diagnosis of cancer?
- Anxiety
- Hopelessness
- Fear
- Depression
- Children: regression
List pyschosocial support strategies for the cancer patient
- Assess past coping responses
- Assess support systems
- Referrals to support groups
- Allow to verbalize feelings
- attentive listening
- assist with realistic short-term goal achievement
- provide realistic hope
Cancer cost
financial costs are a burden and national cancer care expenditures have been steadily increasing in the US. Cancer care accounted for an estimated $124.6 billion in medical care expenditures in the US in 2010
Nanotechnology in cancer therapy and imaging
The multifunctional nanoparticle has the capability to simultaneously carry therapeutic agents, targeting molecules such as conjugated antibodies or other recognition agents, and imaging signal contrast agents. the nanoparticle can be used for specific delivery of anticancer agents, detection of circulating cancer cells, and monitoring of treatment effects in real time.
