Cancer treatments (oncology) Flashcards

1
Q

3 treatments of cancer?

A

surgery
radiation
chemo

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2
Q

which is the most frequent treatment method for cancer?

A

surgery

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3
Q

what is surgery used in conjuction with?

A

chemo or radiation
to prevent diagnose stage and treat

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4
Q

what is important to know for surgery and chemo?

A

we will wait for either chemo or surgery (2 months) because of delayed healing

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5
Q

Types of surgery:

A

diagnostic: biopsy
primary
prophylactic: preventative surgery
palliative: helps w quality and end of life
reconstructive: augmentation

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6
Q

Diagnostic surgery includes what?

A

tissue biopsy:
shave
punch
incisional
excisional
fine needle
core needle

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7
Q

surgery as primary treatment:

A

debulking: removes as much as tumor as possible
radical excisions: disfiguring and alter function
salvage surgery: extensive surgery to site at which previous therapies have failed

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8
Q

Prophylactic surgery:

A

removal of non vital tissue or organs that may develop cancer

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9
Q

what are considerations for prophylactic surgery? 6

A

fam history
genetic predisposition
presence or absence of symptoms
risk vs benefits
ability to detect cancer early
pt acceptance of post op outcomes

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10
Q

Palliative surgery: 4

A

pain relief
not intended to treat or cure
high quality of life
alleviate disease without curing it

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11
Q

reconstructive surgery:

A

plastic surgery
repair injury or loss of function from curative or radical surgeries
may take several procedures

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12
Q

Radiation and chemo therapy GOALS:

A

to eliminate cancerous cells
affects rapidly proliferating cells
can cause wide range of symptoms
death can result from symptoms
benefits outweigh the risks….. in some cases

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13
Q

Radiation therapy

A

choice of treatment for localized cancer which is cancer that is contained in one organ
- energy to kill tumors, shrink tumors, to eliminate cancer cells
-damages cells dna
- healthy cells can also be damages

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14
Q

what are the factors effecting radiation therapy dosing?

A
  1. radio sensitivity of the tumor: dependent on presence of oxygen
  2. normal tissue tolerance: point at which normal tissues are irreparably damage
  3. volume of tissue to be irradiated: total proscribed dose usually divided into several smaller doses
    treatments are given daily 5x per week for an average of 25 to 30 treatments.q
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15
Q

Benefits of radiation therapy:

A
  • used before surgery to shrink tumors
  • intra-operative radiation: during surgery
  • given before during or after chemo
  • palliative: shrink, reduce pressure pain and other symptoms
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16
Q

Radiation toxicity:

A

localized to area of treatment
may be higher when used with chemo
generalized effects include ; fatigue anemia nausea vomiting and thrombocytopenia (decreased platelets)

17
Q

Types of radiation therapy

A

external (teletherapy)
internal (brachytherapy)

18
Q

side effects of internal or brachytherapy:

A

stay away from children and pregnant women
body will give off radiation, body secretion can be contamintated
isolation
fatigue anorexia immunosupression other side effects are the same as external radiation

19
Q

patient education for brachytherapy:

A
  1. avoid close contact w others
  2. no pregnant women or children
  3. bedrest to avoid dislodging radioactive source
  4. maintain balanced diet
  5. small frequent meals
  6. maintain fluid intake
20
Q

Side effects of radiation:

A
  1. fatigue
  2. skin changes
    3, alopecia
  3. immunosuppresion
  4. radiation pneumonia
  5. ulceration of oral mucus mem
  6. GI
  7. N/V
  8. diarrhea
    * symptoms increase as symptoms progress
21
Q

pt education for radiation therapy:

A
  1. wash with tepid water and soft wash cloth
  2. use electric razor
  3. do not remove markings
  4. no hot or cold packs
  5. do not use any products
  6. avoid wearing tight clothing
22
Q

Chemotherapy:

A

use of anticancer drugs to elimate cancer cells
affects entire body both cancerous and non cancerous cells
numerous side effects
death may occur due to side effects

23
Q

administration of chemo:

A

excreted in body fluids up to 48 hours after treatment
usually requires port a cath
monitor WBC RBC H&H Platelets before administering medications
only chemo-certified nurse

24
Q

patient education for chemo:

A
  1. HAND WASHING
  2. 48-72 following chemo CLEAN SURFACES SO WELL SO NO BODY FLUIDS ARE ON SURFACES
  3. no sex ya nasty or 2 forms of birthcontrol
25
Q

Handling chemo drugs:

A

no safe exposure limit
risk of exposure:
- handling body fluids of a pt 48hrs after chemo
- wear ppe
- accidental spills
routes of exposure:
inhale
absorption
ingestion

26
Q

Targeted therapy and its side effects?

A

Flu-like symptoms-headache, fever, chills, fatigue, extreme weakness, anorexia, and nausea
Tachycardia
Orthostatic hypotension
Neurologic deficits- confusion, memory loss, insomnia
Bone marrow depression
* targets specific receptors, new treatments

27
Q

chemo side effects:

A

N/V/D
alopecia
stomatasis- sores in mouth
pain
Anemia
enteritis

28
Q

anorexia cachexia syndrome :

A

loss of skeletal muscle and fat
not starvation
SKIN AND BONE

29
Q

how can chemo affect immunsupression?

A

decrease ability to fight infection
lowers WBC NUETRPHILS = increased risk of infection
LOWER RBC and H&H= risk increases for anemia LOWEER PLATELETS= risks for bleeding

30
Q

NADIR:

A

blood cell count at its lowest point
occurs at different times
wbc and platelets
if labs are too low they are going to wait for furthering treatments

31
Q

what is nuetropenia?

A

Abnormally low ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count)
No symptoms until onset of infection
Monitor CBC with differential
Treatment varies depending upon cause
Caused by:
Decreased production of WBC
Increased destruction of WBC

32
Q

s/s of nuetropenia ?

A

Neutropenia: resp rate is going to go up before spiking a temp!!!!!
usually means they are going septic
chills, sweating
hypotension
fatigue

33
Q

nuetropenic precautions?

A

Wash hands frequently
Low bacteria diet
No fresh flowers, plants, pets
Avoid crowds
No visitors with infections
No immunizations

34
Q

thrombocytopenia is what?

A

low platelets count

35
Q

thrombocytopenia precautions?

A

Monitor stools/urine for bleeding
Use electric razor only,
Apply ice to affected area if trauma occurs
Avoid dental work or other invasive procedures
Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing products
Soft toothbrush and no flossing
No aspirin

36
Q

what is chemo brain?

A

A “mental fog” caused by chemotherapy, radiation, and some types of immunotherapy

37
Q

what is ascites?

A

fluid in belly (peritoneal cavity)
late sign of cancer
hypovolemic bc fluid isnt where it needs to be

38
Q

what is the management for ascites?

A

low salt diet
diuretic therapy
paracentesis - palliative
may place pluerx to enable pt to drain at home
poor prognosis and comfort is key