Oncology Flashcards
What are contributors to CA
- chemicals (asbestos, benzene from petroleum products, radon)
- Radiation
- Viruses (EBV, HepB, HPV)
- Genetics
__ accelerate cell growth and division
Oncogenes
*When any of these genes are mutated, abnormal cells may be allowed to reproduce leading to unchecked growth of poorly differentiated cells, which is cancer.
____ detect abnormal cells and prompt cell suicide so the abnormal cell does not have the opportunity to replicate.
Tumor suppressor genes and DNA repair genes
*When any of these genes are mutated, abnormal cells may be allowed to reproduce leading to unchecked growth of poorly differentiated cells, which is cancer.
An excellent example of mutation in the ___ gene is the BRCA 1 and 2 genetic mutations implicated in breast and ovarian cancer in women, in which the gene is inactivated.
tumor suppressor
85% of pediatric cancer patients present with:
- Fever
- Bone pain/new onset limp
- Headache/morning vomiting
- Lump/mass
- Pupillary white reflex
*While cancer is a fearful diagnosis, and should be on the differential for those presentations
Describe the initial lab presentation of ALL
- have at least 2-3 cell lines down
2. lymphoblasts present in peripheral blood smear
Presentation of ALL
- fever (usually persistent or recurrent)
- infections
- easy bruising
- obvious petechial/purpuric rashes
- Bone pain
- new onset limp/joint pain
- easily fatigued
- Generalized LAD
- hepatosplenomegaly
PE findings of ALL
- generalized LAD including axillary, supra/infra-clavicular, inguinal
- hepatosplenomegaly (as lymphoblasts infiltrate the lymph node, spleen and liver)
It is thought that the time lag between onset of lymphoblasts in the bone marrow and patient onset of symptoms/clinic presentation is ___
not long- less than 1 month.
___ is the most common cancer in children and the most common blood cancer, much higher than ___
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
acute myelogenous or chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Describe the prognosis of ALL
- Outcomes for these kids are good, with between 80-95% being cured.
- Treatment is usually 2 years in length for girls, 3 years for boys due to the risk of testicular recurrence.
Describe the treatment of ALL
Treatment consists of chemotherapy, both inpatient and outpatient, and may progress to hematopoietic stem cell transplant for some children.
-Tx ~2yrs in girls and ~3yrs in boys due to risk of testicular recurrence
DDX of LAD
- localized or systemic infection (bacterial or viral)
- JIA
- a cyst
- Tumor (benign or malignant)
- Scalp laceration
- EBV
- HIV
- TB
- ALL
- hodgkin’s
A concerning history and exam of LAD
- persistent (>4-8 weeks) or progressive LAD
- size >2cm
- generalized
- non-tender
- firm, rubbery or rock-hard,
- several lymph nodes that appear to be connected together (matted), or
- fixed,
- LAD in unusual areas such as axillary, infra- or supraclavicular or inguinal.
*We often see so-called “shotty” LAD in pediatrics, which feels like small pea-size LAD in the cervical area, and these don’t raise much concern.
Overlying erythema on LAD suggests __
abscess or lymphadenitis
Labs for LAD
- CBC
- ESR (LT inflammation)
- EBV titers
- PPD
- LDH and
- uric acid
- CXR
- US of the node
___ are indicative of high cell turnover and a positive result would be indicative of malignancy
LDH and uric acid
Describe the break down of pediatric lymphomas
40% Hodgkin's 60% Non-Hodgkin's -<15% large cell lymphoma -20-40% lymphoblastic lymphoma -40-50% Burkitt's Lymphoma
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is associated, in both children and adults, with so-called “B-symptoms” of:
- weight loss
- fevers
- night sweats
Why is a PPD indicated in the work up of LAD?
active TB and B-symptoms are very similar (Wt. loss, fevers, night sweats)
Why do you need a CXR in the work up for LAD
- look for mediastinal masses which are common in lymphoma
The lymphoblastic lymphoma listed under non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the same pathology as ALL, except for:
a decreased percentage (or infiltration) of the bone marrow with lymphoblasts.
Treatment of pediatric lymphoma consists of
- chemotherapy
- radiation in select cases, and
- possible bone marrow transplant (BMT)
ANY abdominal mass in a child is ___ until proven otherwise.
a malignancy
*constipated children often have a sausage-shaped mass of stool in their LLQ, but this bears a repeat exam after treatment for their constipation.
DDX of a pediatric abdominal mass
- Hydronephrosis
- PKD
- Malignancy (Wilm’s tumor MC)
- Infectious splenomegaly
- Liver disease
- AV malformation
- neuroblastoma
- lymphoma
- germ cell tumor
- constipation
Wilm’s tumors are usually seen in __
young children (2-5y)
Tx of Wilm’s Tumors
- Surgical removal of tumor and kidney
- Chemo
- possibly radiation