Pediatric Oncology Flashcards
pediatric oncology considerations?
◦ Children react differently to treatments
◦ Children heal more quickly
◦ Children are undergoing periods of rapid growth and
development
- Children will be active if they feel up to it
- Family-centered care is crucial
Known risk factors (I dont think this is an objective)
◦ Exposure to ionizing radiation increases risk of childhood leukemia
◦ Solid organ transplant recipients – increased risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma secondary to use of
immunosuppressants
◦ Cancer risk is increased in children with certain genetic syndromes (Down syndrome, Li Fraumeni syndrome)
◦ Accelerated fetal growth and higher birth weight associated with increased risk of acute lymphocytic leukemia, CNS tumors, NHL, rhabdomyosarcoma
Carcinoma
◦ Malignant neoplasm of epithelial origin; accounts for 80-90% of all cancers
◦ Adenocarcinoma – develops in an organ or gland
◦ Squamous cell carcinoma – originates in the squamous epithelium
sarcoma
◦ Originates in supportive and connective tissues – bone, tendon, cartilage, muscle, fat
Myeloma
originates in the plasma cells of bone marrow
leukemia
cancer of the bone marrow, considered “liquid cancer” or “blood cancer”
lymphoma
develops in the glands and nodes of the lymphatic system
general signs and symptoms
- Unusual mass or swelling
- Unexplained paleness or loss of energy
- Sudden increase in tendency to bruise or bleed
- Persistent, localized pain or limping
- Prolonged, unexplained fever or illness
- Frequent headaches, often with vomiting
- Sudden eye or vision changes Excessive, rapid weight loss
when does leukemia occur?
- when defective, nonfunctional leukocytes are produced in large numbers
- Defective leukocytes migrate from the bone marrow into the bloodstream, displacing the healthy leukocytes
common signs and symptoms of leukemia
◦ Lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, fever, easy bleeding or bruising, night sweats, weight loss
characterizations of leukemia
- acute or chronic
- lymphoid or myeloid
what is the most common pediatric cancer?
acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
characteristics of acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- Defined by rapid proliferation of immature, nonfunctional leukocytes
- If left untreated, death occurs quickly in these patients
- Survival is 90% with chemotherapy (sometimes for 2 to 3 years)
neuromuscular and musculoskeletal complications of ALL
◦ Pain, paresthesia, muscle weakness, ROM deficits, impaired gross and fine motor performance, decreased energy expenditure, avascular necrosis, osteopenia, osteoporosis, learning disabilities
acute myeloid leukemia
- Characterized by the presence of defective and nonfunctional granulocytes or monocytes
- AML compromises the body’s immune system
- Occurs most frequently in the 1st 2 years of life
- Survival is ~63% with chemotherapy
lymphocytes include:
- B cells: synthesize antibodies
- T cells: activate phagocytes and inflammatory process
where do lymphomas occur?
in lymphatic structures: lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, thymus, lymphatic structures in the brain, GI tract and liver
common signs and symptoms of lymphomas
◦ Lymphadenopathy, fever and chills, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, anorexia,
pruritus
definitive diagnosis of lymphoma
made by examining a biopsy of lymph tissue for the presence of abnormal tissue architecture and lymphocytes
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Heterogeneous group of blood cancers that adversely affects both B and T lymphocytes
- Occurs more frequently in children over age 3
- Survival rate 87%
signs and symptoms of non-hodgkins lymphoma
◦ Painless supraclavicular or cervical adenopathy, nonproductive cough, fatigue, anorexia and
pruritus
risk factors for non-hodgkin’s lymphoma
◦ Medical conditions or treatments that result in immune suppression, inherited
immunodeficiency diseases, and HIV infection
Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Less common
- Identified by the presence of abnormal B lymphocytes called Reed Sternberg cells
- Incidence increases in adolescence; most common in 15- to 19-year-old age group
- Survival rate 97%
common signs and symptoms of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
◦ Painless lymphadenopathy (cervical,
supraclavicular, axially, inguinal), mediastinal mass, fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, fever, drenching night sweats, hepatic and/or splenic enlargement
Brain and CNS tumors
- Tumors are classified by the type of cell or tissue in which they originate OR by the tumor’s location within the CNS
- Benign tumors can cause significant adverse effects –> growth may cause compression of adjacent healthy functioning tissue
Brain and CNS Tumors signs and symptoms
◦ Dependent on tumor location, developmental stage of the child, and presence of increased intracranial pressure ◦ Headache; vomiting (especially in the AM); vision, speech and hearing changes; worsening balance; unsteady gait; unusual sleepiness; weakness
Astrocytoma
- Most common type of glioma - Arise in astrocytes (neural support cells)
- Can be found in the brain and spinal cord
look at the signs and symptoms of astrocytomas slide if you want to
but we did just have a whole test on that sooooooo
meduloblastomas
- Highly invasive embryonal tumor
- Rare in adults but common in children (under the age of 10)
- Typically arise in the cerebellum but can spread throughout the entire CNS via CSF
signs and symptoms of medulloblastomas
◦ Headache, vomiting, nausea, lethargy, dizziness, double vision, poor coordination, unsteady gait
◦ Can be related directly to the tumor or due to increased
intracranial pressure
Ependymomas
- Tumors that arise from the glial cells lining the ventricular system of the brain or the central canal of the spinal cord - Can range in severity from low to high grade
What do ependymomas do
- directly damages the brain tissue
- can disrupt normal flow of CSF resulting in increased ICP and further CNS damage
signs and symptoms of ependymomas
◦ Headaches, seizures, nausea and vomiting, pain or stiffness in the neck, loss of balance, difficulty walking, weakness in legs, blurry vision, back pain, changes in bowel and bladder,
confusion
◦ Tend to vary from child to child
Neuroblastoma
- Neuroendocrine tumors that arise from neuroblasts
- Most commonly arises in and around the adrenal glands –> Can also develop in the abdomen, chest, neck and near the spine
- Found throughout the developing sympathetic nervous system
- Most commonly affect children under the age of 5, but can occur later
signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma
◦ Mass under skin, proptosis, periorbital hyperpigmentation, back pain, fever, unexplained weight loss, bone pain
◦ Neuroblastoma in abdomen: abdominal pain, non-tender mass, changes in bowel habits ◦ Neuroblastoma in chest: wheezing, chest pain, changes to the eyes incl. ptosis and anisocoria
retinoblastoma
- Tumors that originate in the retina, can affect one or both eyes
◦ Arise when immature retinoblasts mature into
cancerous cells Most frequently diagnosed in children younger than 4 years of age, 40% arise from a heritable gene defect
Retinoblastoma
- Tumors that originate in the retina, can affect one or both eyes
◦ Arise when immature retinoblasts mature into
cancerous cells - Most frequently diagnosed in children younger than 4 years of age, 40% arise from a heritable gene defect