Peds with Cancer Flashcards
Risk Factors for Cancer
▪Radiation exposure
▪Carcinogenic drugs
▪Immunosuppressive therapy
▪Infections
▪Race
▪Genetic conditions
Diagnostic for cancer
▪History and physical
▪CBC, LFTs, coagulation studies, urinalysis
▪Lumbar puncture, bone marrow aspiration
▪CT, MRI, PET, MIBG
▪Surgery
▪Biopsy
Multimodal therapy
▪Combination surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy
surgery for cancer
▪Remove traces of tumor, restore normal function
what is the primary form of treatment for childhood cancer
chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
▪In conjunction with chemotherapy
Side effects related to lethal damage to tissue
Signs and Symptoms of Cancer in Children
▪Fever and pain, common in childhood, leading to easily missed problem
▪Unexplained loss of energy
▪Sudden vision changes
▪Excessive, rapid weight loss
side effects of cancer treatment
▪Damage occurs to normal tissues as well as malignant tissues
▪Infection—Monitor for septic shock
▪Hemorrhage
▪Anemia
▪Nausea and vomiting
▪Altered nutrition
▪Mucosal ulceration
▪Neurological problems
▪Alopecia
▪Steroid effects
management for infection
Monitor for septic shock
▪Fever with absolute neutrophil count (ANC) lower than 500/mm3
▪Prevention of infection is a priority
management for hemorrhage
▪Prevented or controlled with platelet infusions
▪Teach to avoid activities that may cause injury: riding a bike or skate boards; contact sports
management for anemia
▪Common during induction therapy
▪Limits tolerance of physical activity
management for altered nutrition
▪Monitor intake and nutritional status
▪Monitor height and weight routinely
management for nausea and vomiting
▪Antiemetics used to manage side effect
▪Synthetic cannabinoids are being used in children
▪Administer antiemetic 30 minutes BEFORE chemotherapy begins and routinely for 24 hours after chemotherapy
management for mucosal ulceration
▪Red, eroded, painful in mouth; may extend to rectal area (sitz baths)
▪Increase anorexia due to pain
▪Use bland, moist, soft food, and soft sponge toothbrush
management for neurological problems
▪Severe constipation- stool softners
▪Foot drop, weakness and numbness lead to difficulty walking
▪Severe jaw pain
management for alopecia
anticipatory guidance
-Warn the child and the family of possible side effect early in the treatment to allow them time for preparation
-Explain that hair falls out in clumps, leads to patchy baldness
-Explain that hair regrows in 3 to 6 months but may be a different texture (now curly when it was straight before treatment) or a different color
management for steroid effects
▪Cushingoid appearance (Can be distressful for older children due to weight gain; moon face appearance)
▪Avoid salt intake to reduce fluid retention
what is the most common form of childhood cancer
Acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL)
Types of acute leukemia
▪Acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL)
▪Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
Acute Leukemia
A broad group of malignant diseases of bone marrow and lymphatic system
▪Leukemia is an unrestricted proliferation of immature WBCs in the blood-forming tissues of the body
Although leukemia is an overproduction of WBCs, often acute form causes..
low leukocyte count
▪Greatly elevated immature cells or blasts
▪Immature cells do not attack and destroy normal blood cells
three primary consequences of leukemia
▪Anemia
▪Infection and neutropenia
▪Bleeding
S/S of Leukemia
▪Fever, pallor, fatigue, anorexia, hemorrhage, bone, joint pain
▪Bones weaken and are prone to fractures
▪Bone pain from increased pressure
Diagnostic Evaluation of Leukemia: Based on history and physical manifestations
▪Minor infection does not disappear
▪Pale, listless, irritable, febrile, anorexia
Diagnostic Evaluation of Leukemia: peripheral blood smear
▪Immature leukocytes
▪Frequently low blood cell counts
Lumbar puncture to evaluate
▪central nervous system (CNS) involvement of leukemia
diagnosis for leukemia
▪Bone marrow aspiration or biopsy
Therapeutic Management of Leukemia
IV and chemotherapy, Bone marrow transplantation
Three phases of therapy for leukemia
▪Induction
▪Intensification (consolidation) therapy
▪Maintenance therapy: To preserve remission
induction phase for leukemia treatment
▪4 to 5 weeks, begins almost immediately
Intensification (consolidation) therapy:
To eradicate residual leukemic cells
▪Chemotherapy given periodically over 6 months