Chapter 8 Oncology
Normal WBC count
4,000-11,000/mm3
Age for mammogram
40
Age for PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen & DRE - Digital Rectal Exam)
50
Carcinogen
A cancer-causing substance
How are tumors classified?
According to the organs or tissues in which they develop
What are considered predisposing factors for certain type of cancers?
Age sex and race
diarrhea teaching
Avoid high fiber foods Add low fiber foods such as banana and cheese Cleanse rectal area Monitor for signs of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
Tumor markers detect
Biochemical substances synthesized and released into the blood stream by tumor cells and are used mainly to confirm a diagnoses or determine response to cancer therapy
What's used to correct damage caused by chemotherapy or radiation
Bone Marrow and stem cell transplant
Tumor markers CA-27-29
Breast cancer
How does cancer begin?
Cancer begins when mutations disrupt the normal cell cycle, causing cells to divide in an uncontrolled way.
Palliative Care
Care designed not to treat an illness but to provide physical and emotional comfort to the patient and support and guidance to his or her family.
advanced cancer
Cells continue to spread rampantly through the body and death can occur
CT scan
Check for allergies to iodine, contrast dye, shell fish test may have to be re-evaluated
Vesicants
Chemical causing tissue damage upon direct contact
The main factor in pain treatment
Continue to seek a combination of interventions or different treatments until the pain is under control
Common methods used to diagnose cancer
Cytology biopsy radiologic studies & lab test
All cancers develop from defects in the
DNA of genes
Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)
Drink 2-3 L/day
Harmful agents that are carcinogenic exist in the
Environment
Megace (megestrol)
Female Hormone that stimulates appetite
Nitrite & Nitrate
Food additives also known as cancer stimulators
Tumor markers CEA&CA 19-9
GI Pancreatic and liver cancer
nausea and vomiting implications
Give liquids at 3-4 hr intervals in small amounts Provide comfort measures & mouth care Monitor for dehydration & electrolyte imbalance
The four colony stimulating factors
Glycoproteins that regulate the generation and some functions of infection protective granulocytes and macrophages
interlukins
Help the immune system cells recognize and destroy abnormal cells
WBC above 11000
Indicates infection
Lung cancer screening
Low dose helical CT
biological response modifiers
Manipulate the immune system to stimulate or suppress activity
Weight loss implications
Monitor weight Increase protein intake Small frequent feedings Supplement feedings
Common complaints of cancer patients and need vigilant care
Nausea vomiting diarrhea and constipation
Given to raise the neutrophil count and the WBC count
Neupogen or Leukine
To preform a PSA test
No sex for 24-48 hours before test Not performed until UTI has cleared up Not performed after recent UTI surgery Collect a blood sample before digital exam
Prostate cancer screening
PSA w/ or w/o digital rectal exam
a death rattle can occur in the dying process because
Patients can no longer clear their throats of normal secretions scopolamine or atropine may be given to quiet the patient and bring breathing back to normal
Some people may have a genetic______ of some type of cancers
Predisposition
malignant growths grouped into 4 types
Sarcoma Carcinoma Leukemia Melanoma
Interferons
Slow down cell division in cancer cells
If you have Vesicants
Stop the line and report (Potassium Chemo)
Promoter
Substances that are not cancer causing alone but increase development such as alcohol
TNM cancer staging system
T: Extent of primary tumor N: Presence of regional lymph node involvement M: Absence or presence of distant metastases
Report signs of infection immediately
Temp over 100 Persistent cough Colored or foul smelling drainage Presence of a boil or absences Cloudy foul smelling urine
Cell searches
Test to detect cancer by measuring tumor cells in the blood
metastasis
The spread of cancer cells beyond their original site
Chemotherapy nursing implications
Toxicity on cells that have a short lifespan Blood cell lose Hair follicles Epithelial cells of mucus membranes Most chemotherapeutic agents in body fluids Most are teratogenic (cause birth defects)
Cancer cells
Use the body's own nourishment to grow
prognosis
a prediction of the course of a disease
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
abnormal blood clotting in small vessels throughout the body that cuts off the supply of oxygen to distal tissues, resulting in damage to body organs
occult blood
blood that cannot be seen in the stool but is positive on a fecal occult blood test
BRCA1 and BRCA2
breast cancer 1 and 2
regional cancer
cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, tissues, or organs
malignant
cancerous
Cytotoxic agents
damage or destroy cells to treat cancer both normal and cancerous and can cause hair loose and anemia
Neutropenia
deficiency of neutrophils Limit visitors and time spent Fresh fruit or fresh flowers should not have in room
tumor suppressor genes
encode proteins that help prevent uncontrolled cell growth
alopecia
hair loss
in situ cancer is located
in its original place
Anorexia
lack of appetite
bone marrow suppression
low WBC, slows production of erythrocytes leukocytes platelets and is usually temporary
benign
mild, not cancerous
neoplasm
new growth (tumor)
Cancer causing genes
oncogenes
Tumor markers: CA-125
ovarian cancer
Mucositis
painful inflammation of oral mucous membranes
Malignant cells
potentially life-threatening cancer cells & can spread to other areas of the body
Antineoplastic agents
slow the rate of tumor growth
Cytology
study of cells
Mesentary
supportive membrane surrounding internal organs and attaching to the body wall
Guiac test
test for occult blood in stool
proliferate
to reproduce, increase, or spread rapidly