Pediatric Cancer PT

Question 1

What are the top 2 pediatric cancer diagnosis?

Answer 1

1. Leukemia
2. Brain and central nervous system

Question 2

About 60% of pediatric cancer survivors will have___.

Answer 2

long term lasting impact

Question 3

Leukemia in children symptoms and prevalance

Answer 3

28% of childhood cancers
cancer that starts in the bone marrow and blood
most start in the early forms of white blood cells
sx: pallor, fatigue, bruising, fever, bone and joint pain

acute lymphoblastic leukemia
acute myeloid leukemia

Question 4

Brain and CNS cancers in children symptoms

Answer 4

26% of childhood cancers
starts in lower part of the brain
SX: headaches, nausea, vomiting, visual changes, dizziness, seizures, ataxia, weakness

Question 5

Red Flags for cancer diagnosis in younger children

Answer 5

-increased fussiness or irritability
-mild pale
-bruising, bleeding
-leg pain that may lead to the refusal to walk

*regression in developmental skills

Question 6

Red Flag for cancer diagnosis in older children

Answer 6

-complaints of fatigue and tiredness
-change in eating habits
-weight loss
-night sweats
-bone and joint fatigue
-fever and respiratory symptoms

Question 7

Chemo side effects in children

Answer 7

-peripheral neuropathy- distal deficits
-cardiac effects
-fatigue
-avascular necrosis
-orthopedic procedures

Question 8

Steroid side effects in children

Answer 8

steroid myopathy- proximal deficits

Question 9

Radiation side effects

Answer 9

-skin burns, blistering, redness
-fatigue
-pain
-joint contracture, osteoporosis
-cardiac and vascular disease

Question 10

83% of children treated for non-CNS cancers with ___ have clinically significant periods of ______.

Answer 10

Vincristine; peripheral neuropathy

Question 11

Clinical findings and functional impacts of peripheral neuropathy

Answer 11

-strength deficits
-impaired deep tendon reflexes
-impaired sensation
-poor balance

functional: foot drop, gait compensation, impaired balance, impaired proprioception

Question 12

Explain cancer related fatigue and its prevalence in children

Answer 12

persistent, distressing, subjective sense of physical/emotional/cognitive/exhaustion that is not proportional to recent activity
about 59-100%
rest does not help with the fatigue

Question 13

can exercise help with CRF?

Answer 13

Yes exercise and movement have been show to inversely impact CFR

Question 14

Compared to their siblings adult survivors of childhood cancers are ___ to experience issues related to general health, metal health, functional impairments and activity limitations.

Answer 14

more likely

Question 15

What is the role of a physical therapist in pediatric cancer?

Answer 15

minimize impairments and maximize activity in age appropriate life roles in home school and community

Question 16

Explain the 4 domains of cancer rehab

Answer 16

1. preventive: screen, monitor, educate and intervene to prevent or mitigate the effects of cancer treatment
2. supportive: optimize function
3. Palliative: maintain function and quality of life
4. Restorative: alleviate functional impairments