Cancer Flashcards
Cancer
Primary Tumor
Metastasis
Definitions
Cancer
- A group of diseases characterized by abnormal growth of cells with the potential to metastasize (potential to spread).
Primary Tumor
- The inital tumor in the body (before it spreads)
Metastasis
- The process by which cancer spreads to other parts of the body from its inital or primary site
Broad Categories:
Carcinoma
Sarcoma
Leukemia
Lymphoma
Myeloma
Melanoma
Glioma
Carcinoma
- Cancer that develops from epithelial cells (epithelial tissue lines the outer surface & inner surface of many organs)
- Prostate, breast, lung, colorectal
Sarcoma
- Cancer that develops in connective tissue (bones, cartilage, tendons, fats, blood vessels, nerves)
- Osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma
Leukemia
- Cancer that develops in blood or bone marrow (which produces blood cells)
Lymphoma
- Cancer the develops in the cells of the lymphatic system
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Myeloma
- Cancer that develops in plasma cells
Melanoma
- A type of skin cancer that develops from melanocytes (pigment-producing cells of the skin)
Glioma
- Cancer that develops in the glial cells of the brain or spinal cord
Red Flags w/ characteristics of cancer..
(7)
- Pain worsens at night
- Constant unrelenting pain
- Unexplain weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Unusual lumps or growths
- Unwarranted fatigue
- Bone pain that is worse at night
** Especially if that same pain has persisted for > week
Potential red flag = SC signs
- Consistent w/ INC risk of cancer = previous history of cancer - risk of reoccurance is HIGH
Medical Management: Chemotherapy
Quick description & Side Effects (9)
The use of drugs to destory rapidly dividing cells -cytotoxic systemic side effects because it impacts other healthy rapdily deviding cells
- Given in cycles so that normal cells that are impacted have adequate recovery time between cycles
Side effects relevant to PT:
1. Fatigue - most common symptom
2. Neuropathies - contraindications (thermo-modalities) & balance impairments ~ INC risk of falls
3. “Chemo brain” (cognitive deficits & memory problems) - problems w/ concentraion & focus (may impact the environemnt pt are treated in)
4. Myelosuppression - low blood count - most common is RBC (can also be WBC, platelets)
5. Dehydration
6. Nausea
7. Vomitting
8. Immunosuppression
9. Skin & nail changes - rapidly dividing cells - affected - may be more brittle/day
Medical Management: Radiation
Quick description & Side Effects (5)
The use of high energy particles or waves (radiation) to destroy cancer cells.
- Healthy cells nearby to targeted area may also be affected
Side Effects:
1. Fatigue
2. Myelosuppression
3. Nausea
4. Vomitting
5. Local skin problems (may be red, irritated, swollen, blistered)
Medical Management: Blood & Bone Marrow Transplantation
Quick description
A medical procedure in which healthy blood forming cells (blood stem cells) are transplanted into blood or bone marrow to replace unhealthy blood forming cells
Medical Management: Immunotherapy
Description
The use of drugs to stimulate the body’s own immune system
Medical Management: Hormone Therapy
Description
Treatment that alters the amount of specific hormones in the body to slow or stop the growth and spread of some cancer that are reliant on hormones to grow
** Reduce the amount of these hormones that are affecting the cancers growth
Ex. breast cancer - may target the ovaries - by affect the lvls of estrogen in the body
PT Goals & Interventions: List
(8)
- Decrease pain
- Decrease stress in involved bone(s)
- Manage fatigue
- Improve ROM
- Improve muscle strength & endurance
- Improve cardiovascular endurance & function
- Improve independence in ambulation
- Improve balance/decrease falls risk
Intervention: Decrease stress in involved bone(s)
(3)
- Education on risks & protective strategies
- Splinting/bracing if appropraite
- Assisitive device prescription & training if appropriate
Intervention: Manage Fatigue
(1) 4 P + (2)
- Energy Conservation Techniques
Planning:
- Plan out your activities before performing them to avoid extra trips (ie gathering all supplies & equipment before begining a task)
- Space out strenuous tasks throughout the week
Pacing:
- Slow down to pace that is manageable w/o fatiguing
- Take frequent breaks
- Break up and spread-out tasks & activity into smaller parts to prevent fatigue & possibility of respiratory distress
- Listen to your body & know your limits
Prioritizing:
- Begin with your most important activities and eliminate any unnecessary tasks
Positioning:
- Sit instead of stand to perform acctivities to reduce energy use
- Place body in a position to optimize oxygen intake (tripod)
- Exercise - helps to build tolerance, endurance & capacity - in order to combat the deconditioning that occurs
- ADL & functional activity training - help w/ tolerance + how to be more proficient
- Efficient at completing the activities
Intervention: Improve balance / DEC Risk of falls
(6) + (8 mini)
- Balance training
- Proprioception training
- Strengthening exercises (if not contraindicated)
- Ambulation training
- Assistive device prescription & training
- Education on strategies & safety initiatives to prevent falls:
- Medication review - medications that cause drowsiness or neuropathy
- Adequate room lighting
- Keep night light in halls
- Frequent toileting - avoid having to rush to the washroom & moving about at night (in darkness)
- Routine mobilization
- Reduce clutter
- Remove rugs
- Wear proper footwear outdoors & non-slip footwear in the home
