The dying cancer patient pics

Question 1

What is the pathophysiology of cancer symptoms?

Answer 1

Widespread systemic inflammatory response

Similarity to infection disease: exponential growth of tumour cells.

Tumour causes tissue injury- chronic inflammation

Immune/inflammatory response to cancer- local cytokine response first, then systemic - weight loss, anorexia, metabolic changes, muscle loss, liver etc.

Biochemical changes: falling albumin, falling creatinine, anaemia, high CRP

Question 2

What is prognosis of cancer like? ADD PIC_ TIME COURSE OF PROGRESSION

Answer 2

Good level of function for long time period then rapid deterioration and death

Unlike other chronic diseases

Question 3

When should palliative care be referred to?

Answer 3

From beginning of treatment

Help with symptom management and mood

Live longer

Question 4

Physical cancer symptoms diagram- how cachexia happens?

Answer 4