Test #3 Flashcards
Respiratory, cancer & Hematology
What is cancer?
A group of cells that lost its control mechanisms and results in unregulated growth
Heart trouble is the 1st cause of death, what is the 2nd?
Cancer
Cancer
- can develop from any tissue in an organ forming a mass called tumor
- cancerous cells from the primary site can spread (metastasize) throughout the body
- cancer cells need more glucose & O2
- spread through lymphatics
Spreading of cancer (Initiation)
(first)
- change in genetic material brought on spontaneously or by a carcinogen (could be a virus)
Spreading of cancer (Promotion)
(second)
-agents in the environment allow the cell that has undergone initiation to become cancerous
-several factors: combo of susceptible cell and carcinogen
Spreading of cancer (progression)
(third)
- invasion directly
- through lymphatic system
- through bloodstream
Types of cancer
Blood & blood forming
Solid tumors
Blood & blood forming cancers
- leukemias, lymphomas & multiple myelomas
- these cells remain separate and harm by crowding out normal blood cells in the bone marrow and blood stream.
- Gradually replace normal cells
Solid tumor cancers
Carcinomas
-epithelial cells that cover inside and outside of body, produce hormones, make up glands
(adeno, basal, squamous, transitional)
-Elders
Sarcomas
- mesodermal cells that form muscles & connective tissues
- younger people
Adeno
Produced in a place that produces fluids
basal
lower level of the epidermis
squamous
below outer layer of skin linings
transitional
lining of stretchy things (bladder)
Risk factors of cancer
- Family history-chromosomal defect passed down
- Age-77% before age 55
- Environment-anything causing irritation
- Geography
- Diet-obesity, high fat, nitrates
- Viral infections-puts you at risk (Hep B, mono, HPV)
- Inflammatory diseases-Chron’s
Defenses against cancer
Immune system:
- normally the body recognizes the tumor antigen as foreign & can contain or destroy it before it becomes established.
- If the cells have reproduced rapidly and formed a mass, the system may be unable to contain/destroy
- Antibodies are formed but may not be powerful enough to overcome in some cancers
- Some antigens can be detected with blood test tumor markers (used to screen & evaluate response to treatment)
**Might not have enough T cells
S/S of cancer info
Some occur with almost all cancers & other are specific to the type of cancer and its location
-growing in large space-minimal S/S
- s/s due to growing into, thus irritating and destroying tissue
- putting pressure on tissue
- producing toxins
- using nutrients normally available for normal tissue
While growing in primary site may have one set of S/S but different with metz
-complications–paraneoplastic syndrome
(symptoms that occur at sites distant from a tumor or its metastasis)
S/S of cancer
Pain
-painless > mild discomfort > worsens with time & enlargement
(compression/erosion into nerves & other structures)
Bleeding
- slight since cells are not well attached to each other and vessels are fragile
- with better organization, bleeding may be massive
- site of cancer determines site of bleeding
Weight loss/fatigue -increases as cancer progresses -appetite good > anorexia with nausea -advanced stage-tired and sleepy -if anemic, tired and SOB with exertion (unexplained weight loss, food is nourishing cancer cells)
Swollen lymph nodes
- swell as the lymph system tries to clear
- start to become immovable and possibly painful
Depression
- related to illness, fear of dying & loss of control
- could be from spread to brain
- respiratory system
- due to blockage, pressure, bleeding, anemia
Diagnostics of cancer
Physical exams (risk factors looked at-smoker, drinker, obese)
Screeners-not defenitive
- further testing necessary
- tumor markers in blood-test further
Staging
- clinical (labs, x-rays, scans, biopsies, etc.)
- pathological (excision of tumor and node exam-more precise)
What is cytology?
biopsy of cells
What is excision?
take lump out
Staging of cancer
- Determines size & location and growth into near structures
- helps determination of treatment and prognosis
Most common is TNM
- tumor
- nodes
- metastasis
Cancer staging number doesn’t change, even if condition does
TNM system (T)
T-Primary tumor
size, how deep into organ, has it grown into surrounding tissue?
TX-cannot be measured
T0-cannot be found
T1, T2, T3, T4-size of tumor and/or the more spread to surrounding tissue
Higher the number, larger the tumor or more it has spread
TNM System (N)
N-Nodes
Number of nearby lymph nodes that have cancer
NX-cannot be measured
N0-do not contain cancer
N1, N2, N3-describes size, location and/or number affected
Higher the number, greater the spread`
TNM system (M)
M-Metastasis
has the cancer spread or not?
MX-cannot be measured
M0-no distant cancer spread found
M1-cancer has spread to other parts of body
Grouping of cancer
Once these values have been achieved, they can be grouped into stages I-IV.
Stage 0 is very early and Stage I is next least advanced and has good prognosis.
Higher the stage, poorer the outlook.
Stage I-cells slightly different, not differentiated
Stage II-slight differentiated
Stage III-severe, differentiated
Stage IV-immature, primary, totally differentiated
In situ
abnormal cells are present but have not spread to other tissue
Localized
cancer is limited to the starting place with no sign of spread
Regional
cancer has not spread to nearby nodes, tissue or organs
Distant
Cancer has spread to distant part of body
Unknown
there isn’t enough info to figure out stage
Primary prevention of cancer
clean eating
stop smoking
limit drinking
exercise
Secondary prevention of cancer
screening (mammogram, etc)
health promotion
Treatment of cancer
-Surgery (includes portacath)
-Radiation (destroys cells-directly on tumor)
(also brachial therapy)
-chemo
-immunotherapy
-combo
-alternative
Where is bone marrow found?
- long bones
- sternum
- vertabrae
- ribs
- hip bone/pelvis
What is hematology?
study of blood and blood forming tissues
includes blood, bone marrow, spleen and lymph system
What is blood?
**a unique organ because it’s fluid
- composed of plasma, various cells, proteins, clotting factors, electrolytes, nutrients, to include O2 & waste products
- kidneys are stimulated to produce erythropoietin when oxygen levels are low.
Hematopoiesis
Occurs in 5 days
low O2 level > stimulates kidney to secrete erythropoietin > increases erythroblast formation > forms reticulocytes (immature RBCs)
If rapid erythropoiesis is necessary, may release reticulocytes and nucleated RBCs
- After maturity, cells live about 120 days
- when destroyed, causes increased billi > liver filters out
RBC function
- 95% of cell mass is hemoglobin
- No nucleus
- flexible & disk shaped to facilitate absorption and release of gases
- transport gases through diffusion
- main function–transport O2 between lungs
- aids in buffer system (tries to keep us from going into acidosis)
What is epogen?
Used to treat anemia
-creates RBCs
What is neupogen?
Used to treat neutropenia
- bone marrow stimulant
- creates WBCs