Prostate Cancer Flashcards
Prostate cancer occurs mainly in older men w/ nearly 2/3rd diagnosed in pts over ___y/o.
• 65
True or False
BPH is a risk factor for Prostate cancer.
• False, it is not
What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?
- Age, ethnicity, and family hx
- High-fat diet
- Obesity
- Exposure to certain chemicals
True or False
The risk is higher for men who have a brother with the prostate cancer than for those with an affected father.
• True
What are the clinical manifestations of prostate cancer?
• Usually asymptomatic in early stages • Urinary issues: o Dysuria o Hesitancy o Dribbling o Frequency • Pain in lumbosacral area that radiates to hips or legs
The majority of prostate tumors grow where on the gland?
• Outer aspect
Are prostate tumors fast or slow growing?
• Usually slow growing
What are the 3 routes that prostate cancer spreads through?
- Direct extension
- Lymph system
- Blood stream
Direct extension of prostate cancer involves
- Seminal vesicles
- Urethral mucosa
- Bladder wall
- External sphincter
What are two screening methods used for prostate cancer?
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
* Digital rectal examination (DRE)
What does elevated levels of PSA indicate?
- A prostatic pathology, but not necessarily cancer
* Further testing is required
What indicates possible prostate cancer via DRE?
• Prostate will feel hard, nodular and asymmetric.
DRE can also be used for BPH. What is the difference between how a BPH issue will feel as opposed to prostatic cancer?
• With BPH, the prostate will feel smooth and symmetrical, where as prostate cancer will feel hard and asymmetrical
What is the definitive diagnostic test for prostate cancer?
• Prostate biopsy
Why might Bone scans, MRI or CT be used for prostate cancer?
• To detect tumor growth/metastasis
Treatment for prostate cancer is based on
• Grade of tumor and health of patient
What are the available treatments for prostate cancer?
- Radiation Therapy (internal/external)
- Hormone therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Radical Prostatectomy
Explain hormone therapy for prostate cancer.
• Androgen hormone feeds cancer cells, so anti-androgen drugs are used to starve the tumor and reduce growth
True or False
Estrogen is an androgen blocker.
• True
Chemotherapy for prostate cancer is primarily limited to
• Those with hormone-resistant prostate cancer (HRPC) in late stages
What is the goal of chemotherapy for prostate cancer?
• Palliation, as prostate cancer has responded poorly to chemotherapy.
What is removed in a radical prostectomy?
- Prostate
- Seminal vesicles
- Part of the bladder neck
- with or without lymph node dissection
Post prostectomy, what will be in place?
- Catheter
* Surgical drain
What are two major complications of prostectomy?
- Erectile dysfunction
* Urinary incontinence
What is our post prostectomy nursing care?
- Bladder irrigation
- Assess catheter patency
- Assess for clots and bleeding
- Measurement intake and output
- Presence of bladder spam
- Manage pain
How long will the catheter stay in post prostectomy?
• 10-21 days
Post prostectomy: Assess the urinary output every _ to _ hours for color, consistency, amount, and presence of _____.
- 1 to 2 hours
* blood clots
Continuous Bladder Irrigation (CBI) is used to prevent the formation of blood clots, which could…
• obstruct urinary output.
How is CBI obstruction removed?
- Use a sterile technique
- Irrigate with 50 mL of irrigating solution at a time, until the obstruction is relieved or the urine is clear.
- Ensure equal input and output of irrigating fluid.
When assessing a pt post prostectomy, what should be reported to the HCP?
- Dysuria, low back pain radiating to legs or pelvis, bone pain
- Distended bladder on palpation; unilaterally hard, enlarged fixed prostate on rectal examination
Why is it important to drink plenty of fluids post prostectomy?
• To flush any bleeding from bladder
PT teaching regarding activity post prostectomy?
- It is important not to be too active
- Normal daily activities such as normal walking can occur immediately after the procedure.
- No lifting or other demanding activities in the first two weeks or so after surgery
- Sexual activity should be avoided for at least 4 weeks.
What is important to keep in mind regarding elimination post prostectomy?
• PT will need to take stool softeners as to not strain
