Unit 5 - The Cancer Patient Flashcards

1
Q

briefly outline palliative care

A

Uses a wide team of specialists (dietitian, physiotherapist, pharmacists, social workers to:

  • Provides relief from pain
  • Affirms life and regards dying as normal
  • Neither to hasten or postpone death
  • Integrate psychological and spiritual aspects
  • Offer support to help the patient live as actively as possible, enhancing quality of life
  • Offers a support system to help the family
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2
Q

What is the definition of palliative care?

A

To improve the quality of life of patients and their families by means of easing physical pain as well as other psychological and spiritual issues.

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3
Q

Describe some of the different ways pain can be treated in palliative care.

A

Convential drugs
Non-opioids (paracetamol) or opioids (codeine), anxiety (benzodiazepine)
Radiotherapy
Around 40% of radiotherapy is given for palliative care e.g., for bone metastasis for spinal cord compression. Treatment is given in short fractionated courses to minimise hospital visits
Glioblastoma multi-form – unusually high dose (60 Gy) is given to patients – so takes a lot of time (2x30days after surgery) and significant toxicity like dermatitis and somnolence syndrome, nausea – hence the length of survival period in these patients has to be worth it!!
Surgery
Toilet mastectomy in breast cancer – bleeding and secondary infection
Pining of pathological fractures (osteolytic lesion) – given that they have fairly long survival
Surgery for brain metastases – only for those who are in good healthy (can actually improve survival)
Chemotherapy
Side-effects must be minimal and manageable and the expected length of life is long enough to derive benefit – example would be bisphosphonates for breast cancer to help treat bone mets
Hormone therapy
Breast like tamoxifen or prostate orchidectomy

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4
Q

List some of wide-array of side-effects associated with cancer chemotherapy?

A
  • Myelosuppression (can be given growth factors and antibiotics)
  • Nausea and vomiting – can be given anti-emetics
  • Fatigue
  • Mucositis – affect taste
  • Diarrhoea
  • Hair loss
  • Weight loss/gain – mentality
  • Depression – ESHAP treatment
  • Some will cause chronic side-effects like Tratuzumab with the heart or potentially secondary cancers (alkylating agents or radiotherapy)
  • And that doesn’t even cover cost!!!!
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5
Q

Using prostate cancer as an example, discuss the impact of the four types of treatment available to the individual?

A

Surgery
Related to erectile dysfunction and incontinence – self-esteem issues which may affect relationships and fertility
Radiotherapy
Rectal inflammation, reduced fertility and erectile dysfunction
Chemotherapy
Cabazitaxel – GI problems, nausea, hair-loss, anaemia
Hormone therapy
Loss of sex drive and erectile dysfunction (in women this may be an early menopause with tamoxifen)
Can lead to financial loss leading to increased anxiety – as well as issues with relationships, fertility and self-confidence

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6
Q

What issues might cancer survivors face?

A

Anxiety about recurrence, financial issues due to lack of working, loss of autonomy, transition back to a civilian rather than a patient

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