PRELIMS: Cancer Flashcards
Q: What are the two main types of malignant tumors?
A: Carcinoma (epithelial tissue) and Sarcoma (connective tissue).
Q: What is metastasis?
A: The secondary spread of a tumor to distant sites.
Q: What outcome measure is commonly used to assess functional status in cancer patients?
A: Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS).
Q: What are the major impairments cancer patients may experience?
A: Pain, mobility deficits, fatigue, weakness, dysphagia, cognitive impairment, lymphedema, neuropathy, and post-surgical complications
Q: What Karnofsky score range indicates a patient is unable to work but can live at home with assistance?
A: 70-50.
Q: What are the three main settings for cancer rehabilitation?
A: Acute inpatient rehabilitation, consultative care, and outpatient/home care.
Q: What Karnofsky score suggests a patient is severely disabled and requires hospitalization?
A: 40-10.
Q: What is the goal of acute inpatient rehabilitation for cancer patients?
A: Restore functional mobility and independence for transition to home or outpatient care.
Q: When is consultative care recommended for cancer patients?
A: For patients needing mobility advice, pain management, and ADL (activities of daily living) support, but not intensive rehab.
Q: What is the primary focus of outpatient cancer rehabilitation?
A: Long-term recovery, fatigue management, deconditioning, lymphedema treatment, and return to daily activities.
Q: What are the hematologic cutoff values for exercise in cancer patients?
Hemoglobin < 7.5 g/dL → No exercise.
Platelet count < 20,000 → No resistance or high-impact exercise.
WBC < 3,000 → Increased infection risk, use caution.
Q: What are the metastatic bone disease precautions in cancer rehab?
Avoid high-impact exercises if >50% of the cortex is affected.
Limit weight-bearing if lesion >2.5 cm in femur.
Use mobility aids (walker, crutches, orthosis) to prevent fractures.
Q: What vital signs require exercise modification or cessation?
BP >160/100 mmHg → Exercise with caution.
HR >110 bpm → Monitor for arrhythmias.
Temperature >101°F (38.3°C) → No exercise.
Q: What percentage of cancer patients experience pain?
A: 70%, with >90% in advanced cancer cases.
Q: What is the WHO Analgesic Ladder for cancer pain management?
Non-opioids (Aspirin, NSAIDs, Acetaminophen).
Weak opioids (Codeine, Tramadol).
Strong opioids (Morphine, Fentanyl) + adjuvants.
Q: What are examples of adjuvant pain medications for cancer pain?
A: Antidepressants, benzodiazepines, corticosteroids, nerve blocks, and epidural injections.
Q: What are the types of cancer pain?
Visceral pain (poorly localized, deep aching).
Somatic pain (well-localized, sharp, stabbing).
Neuropathic pain (burning, tingling, throbbing).
Q: What are the benefits of moderate exercise for cancer patients?
A: Improves functional capacity, reduces fatigue, enhances immune function, and supports cardiovascular health.
Q: What are exercise contraindications in cancer patients?
Platelet count <10,000 → No active exercise.
Temperature >40°C (104°F) → No exercise.
Severe fatigue or unstable vital signs.
What type of exercise is recommended for bone marrow transplant patients?
Supine exercises progressing to sitting and standing.
ROM exercises, light aerobic activity (walking, cycling).
Deep breathing exercises for lung health.
Q: What are exercise precautions for patients on cardiotoxic chemotherapy (e.g., anthracyclines)?
Q: What are exercise precautions for patients on cardiotoxic chemotherapy (e.g., anthracyclines)?
Q: What are the most common sites for bone metastases?
A: Vertebrae, pelvis, femur, ribs, skull.
Q: What cancers commonly metastasize to bone?
A: Prostate, breast, lung, kidney, thyroid cancers, multiple myeloma, lymphoma, leukemia.
Q: What is a major risk of bone metastases?
A: Pathologic fractures due to bone weakening.
Q: What is the Harrington Criteria for surgical intervention in bone metastases?
> 50% cortical destruction.
Femoral neck lesion >1.3 cm axial length.
Pain with weight-bearing despite radiation therapy.
Q: What percentage of cancer patients develop brain metastases?
A: About 20%.
Q: What are the most common primary cancers that metastasize to the brain?
A: Lung, breast, melanoma.
Q: What are common symptoms of brain metastases?
A: Headache, focal neurological deficits, seizures, cognitive impairment.
Q: What is the standard treatment for brain metastases?
A: Radiation therapy (2,000-4,000 rads over several weeks), corticosteroids, and surgical excision when indicated.
Q: What is the TNM system for cancer staging?
T (Tumor size) – Size and extent of the primary tumor.
N (Nodes) – Number of nearby lymph nodes affected.
M (Metastasis) – Whether cancer has spread to distant sites.
