paroneoplastic syndromes, mechanisms, and risks for cancer Flashcards
What are paraneoplastic syndromes?
Rare disorders triggered by cancer, where symptoms are caused by biological substances or immune responses rather than by direct pressure from the tumor itself.
What are common features of paraneoplastic syndromes?
They can be the first sign of cancer, are often irreversible, and can be life-threatening.
What paraneoplastic syndrome is associated with renal cancers?
Renal cancers can stimulate excess erythropoietin production, leading to polycythemia.
What is the paraneoplastic effect of lung cancers?
Lung cancers may produce substances that stimulate clotting factors, causing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVTs) or Pulmonary Embolisms (PEs).
What paraneoplastic syndrome is linked to intracranial cancers?
Intracranial cancers can stimulate production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), leading to Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH).
What causes the symptoms in paraneoplastic syndromes?
Symptoms are caused by biological substances or immune responses triggered by the tumor, rather than the tumor’s physical presence or pressure on nearby tissues.
How does pain manifest in cancer patients?
Can arise early but may be absent in early stages for some cancers; influenced by fear, anxiety, sleep loss, fatigue, and physical deterioration.
What are the direct mechanisms of cancer-related pain?
Pressure on nerves, invasion of sensitive structures, obstruction of blood flow, stretching of visceral surfaces, and tissue destruction.
What are the indirect mechanisms of cancer-related pain?
Inflammatory response, infection, and referred pain.
Why might certain affected tissues be more painful in cancer?
Painful sites include bones (tumor pressure, fractures), mucosa (ulcers from tumors/treatment), abdomen (bowel inflammation or obstruction), liver (stretching against abdominal wall).
What is the most frequently reported symptom of cancer and its treatment?
Fatigue.
What factors may contribute to cancer-related fatigue?
Theorized causes include sleep disturbances, biochemical changes, psychosocial/environmental factors, and physical factors.
What is cachexia, and what are its manifestations in cancer patients?
Cachexia includes fat loss, muscle wasting, and inflammation, with early satiety, altered taste, and unmet metabolic needs due to increased energy expenditure.
How does cachexia affect bodily functions?
Alters heart function, liver protein synthesis, hypothalamic hormone secretion, and GI function, impairing protein production and muscle regeneration.
What is anemia in cancer, and what are its symptoms?
Low RBC count; symptoms include fatigue, pallor, dizziness, and dyspnea on exertion, leading to risk of ischemia and organ dysfunction.
What are the mechanisms of anemia in cancer?
Causes include bone marrow malignancy, chronic bleeding, malnutrition, chemotherapy, and poor iron absorption.
What is thrombocytopenia, and what are its symptoms in cancer patients?
Low platelet count; symptoms include bruising, petechiae, spontaneous bleeding, and prolonged clotting time.
How does leukopenia impact cancer patients?
Increases infection risk; leukopenia is a low WBC count caused by tumor invasion in the bone marrow, chemotherapy, radiation, or medication effects.
What is the leading cause of complications and death in cancer patients?
Infection, due to immunosuppression from cancer, chemotherapy, surgery, invasive devices, wounds, or exposure to sick visitors.
How is the GI system affected by cancer or its treatment?
Impacts include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea due to effects on the GI microbiome, chemotherapy/radiation, surgery, invasive devices, and infections.
What hair/skin changes can occur with cancer treatment?
Hair loss (alopecia) from chemotherapy, skin breakdown, dryness, and radiation burns, as well as rashes, petechiae, and purpura from thrombocytopenia.
What are petechiae, and how are they linked to cancer?
Small, flat red or purple spots from bleeding under the skin, often linked to low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia).
What is purpura, and how does it manifest in cancer patients?
Red or purple patches on the skin or mucous membranes due to bleeding under the skin, often associated with low platelet levels in cancer patients.
What viruses are associated with specific cancers?
HPV -> cervical cancer; EBV -> Burkitt’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma; Herpes virus -> cervical cancer, Burkitt’s lymphoma; HBV/HCV -> hepatocellular carcinoma.
