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