Oncology Flashcards
cancer stage 1
early stage - small, invasive mass or tumor identified; no spread to lymph nodes or other tissues
cancer stage 2
localized stage - tumor cells begin to spread to nearby tissue, mass may have grown in size, spread to lymph nodes near the mass
cancer stage 3
regional spread - cancer affects more surrounding tissue, mass may have grown in size, spread to lymph nodes away from the mass
cancer stage 4
distant spread - has spread to other tissues/organs beyond initial location, sometimes called advanced or metastatic cancer
benign
non cancerous
malignant
cancerous
blasts
immature WBCs
lymphoid
tissue that makes lymphocytes
myeloid
tissue of the bone marrow
lymphoma
arises from lymphoid tissue
myeloma
arises from myeloid tissue
carcinoma
arises from the surface or epithelium
sarcoma
arises from the connective tissues
chemotherapy
causes immunosuppression as it kills cancer cells it also destroys health cells, prevents cancer from metastasizing
chemotherapy SE
anemia/fatigue, thrombocytopenia/bleeding risk, neutropenia/immunosuppresion/high infection risk, GI upset/loss of appetite/nausea and vomiting
radiation
high energy directed at cancer cells to shrink and kill them, more localized than chemo, external or internal (brachytherapy, body may give off radiation for short amount of time)
Neutropenic precautions
strict handwashing before client care, no sick visitors or staff, no fresh produce or flowers, private room closed door, no live vaccines, avoid invasive procedures, limit visitation
leukemia
cancer of the blood, progressive disease in which the bone marrow produces increase numbers of immature or abnormal WBCs, this suppresses the production of normal blood cells leading to anemia and other S&S
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
immature cells of body is producing too many lymphoid cells, most common leukemia and is treatable
acute myelogenous leukemia
immature cells of body is producing to many myeloid cells, poor outcomes, less common
leukemis S&S
weight loss, fatigue, bleeding
fever, infections, arthralgia, pallor, bruising
leukemia SE of tx
infection, bleeding, weight loss
n/v, loss of appetite, ulcers, alopecia
Lymphoma
cancer of lymphatic system, impairs body’s natural immune response, Hodgkins and non Hodgkins
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
localized single group of nodes, Reed-Sternberg cells are present, Extranodal involvement not common
Non-hodgkin’s lymphoma
multiple lymph nodes are involved, NO Reed-sternberg cells present, most common type of lymphoma
Lymphoma S&S
painless swelling of lymphnodes and night sweats
fatigue, fever, infections, weight loss, enlarged liver or spleen
Lung cancer S&S
hemoptysis
wheezing, cough, SOB, difficulty swallowing
cancer of esophagus
chest pain and dysphagia, facilitiated by chronic inflammation and dysplasia caused by gastroesophageal reflux and long term exposure to irritants such as alcohol
breast cancer
most common cancer in women, age 55+ at higher risk and menopause
breast cancer S&S
painless lump in breast or underarm, flattening or indentation on breast, change in size/color/texture of breast, pitted surface like skin of an orange, change in nipple, unusual discharge from nipple
tamoxifen
hormone therapy that blocks estrogen from attaching to cancer cell which slows cancer growth down, used commonly in breast cancer in women
prostate cancer dx and S&S
PSA blood test, digital rectal exams, slow start of urinary stream, dribbling of urine after stream, slow urinary stream, urinary retention, straining while urinating, blood in urine, bone pain (often in low back and pelvis)
testicular cancer S&S
testicular discomfort, heaviness in scrotum, lower abd pain, enlargement of testicle, change in way testicle feels, gynecomastia (excessive development of breast tissue), lump or swelling in testicle
squamous cell carcinoma
very top layer of epidermis grows out of control, form on areas of body expose to sun (face, ears, neck), can be removed
basal cell carcinoma
most common type of skin cancer, starts in bottom layer of epidermis (basal layer), slow growing, rarely spread, removal, laser, radiation, chemo to treat
melanoma
melanocytes grow out of control, less common and more dangerous and it can spread easily, appears dark brown or black, surgery, chemo, radiation, immunotherapy to treat
Wilms Tumor
Seen in peds, kidney tumor an type of nephroblastoma
Wilms tumore S&S
swelling or palpable mass on abdomen, abd pain, dx with U/S or CT, labs to check kidney function and biopsy may be done
Wilms tumor tx
surgery, chemo, radiation - will depend on tumor staging and will be determined through imaging assessment
most common pediatric cancer is
ALL
ALL S&S peds
abnormal CBC, decrease hmg and hmc and platelets, varying WBC counts, abnormal bleeding, weight loss, abdominal swelling, enlarged lymph nodes, bone or joint pain, positive bone marrow biopsy
ALL Tx and Interventions
infection prevention, platelet transfusions (decrease bleeding risk), dietary support, chemo, stem cell or bone marrow transplant, clinical trials
tumor lysis syndrome
oncologic emergency!! many cancer cells die in short period releasing their contents into blood stream -> hyperkalemia, hyperuricemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia
Superior vena cava syndrome
tumor presses on SVC and blood cannot drain from upper body
SVC syndrome S&S
FACIAL PLETHORA, headache, blurry vision, non pulsatile distended neck veins, distention of thoracic veins, glossitis, dyspnea, upper extremity edema
