Week 2 - Head, Neck, Oral, and Lung Cancer Flashcards
where could head and neck cancer be located (5)
- larynx
- pharynx
- lip
- tongue
- oral cavity
what are 5 risk factors for laryngeal cancer
- smoking
- alcohol
- exposure to chemicals
- chronic laryngitis
- voice strain
what are early symptoms of laryngeal cancer (3)
- lump in neck
- sore throat
- hoarseness/change in voice quality
what are late symptoms of laryngeal cancer (5)
- pain
- dysphagia
- decreased motility of tongue
- airway obstruction
- cranial nerve neuropathies
what should the nurse assess regarding symptoms of laryngeal cancer (5)
- oral cavity
- floor of mouth
- tongue
- bimanually palpate lymph nodes in neck
- look for white or red patches
how can laryngeal cancer be diagnosed (6)
- exam w laryngoscopy or nasopharyngoscope
- inspection of larynx and vocal cords
- CT scan
- MRI
- PET scan
- biopsy
what is the choice of treatment of head and neck cancer based off (5)
- medical history
- extent of disease
- cosmetic consideration
- urgency
- patient choice
what are different types of treatment for laryngeal cancer
- radiation
- surgery
- surgery & radiation
when is radiation used for treatment of laryngeal cancer
- for early vocal cord lesions
what is the benefit of using radiation as treatment for laryngeal ca
- usually successfully eliminates the tumour
- while preserving the quality of voice
when is surgery used for treatment of laryngeal ca
- if radiation is not successful
- or if the lesion is too advanced
what types of surgeries might be done for laryngeal ca
- partial laryngectomy
- total laryngectomy with radical neck dissection
what is a partial laryngectomy
- removal of one or no vocal cords (may be just the tumour)
what is the benefit of a partial laryngectom
- pt can speak & breathe normally
what is a total laryngectomy
- removal of the entire larynx/vocal cords and pre-epiglottic regions
- and a permanent tracheostomy is performed (to breathe)
what often accompanies a total laryngectomy
- radical neck dissection
what is radical neck dissection? why does it often accompany a total laryngectomy
- when parts of the neck are removed
- to decrease risk fo lymphactic spread
what is a major con to a totaly laryngectomy
- requires an alternate method to talk since there are no vocal cords
describe nursing care post-op laryngectomy (8)
- maintainence of a patent airway
- VS
- suction & keep the stoma clear
- pt positioning
- physio
- emotional support
- diet post-op
- stoma & suture lines care
why is maintenance of pt airway imp post laryngectomy
- inflammation in the surgical area may compress the trachea
what position should a pt be placed in post-op larygynectomy? why? (2)
- HOB elevated (semi-fowlers) –> to decrease edema & limit tension on sutures
- position midline to avoid covering the stoma or stretching sutures
why should VS be monitored frequently post laryngectomy (2)
- risk of hemorrhage
- & resp compromise
describe stoma care post-op laryngctomy (2)
- clean BID
- dressing changes
describe suctioning post-op laryngectomy; what should the secretions look like?
- should be done frequently
- secretions will change in amt and consistency
- initially have copious blood-tinged secretions that will thicken