5 Things Emma and Lauren want you know about Cancer

Question 1

Mutation of cells
Solid tumors or hematologic (blood)
Classified by type of tissue originating from or primary site
How aggressive depends on outcome
Cellular aspects of the cancer are also important to consider
Staging done at diagnosis

Answer 1

What is cancer

Question 2

Rapid growth
Can migrate or metastasize easily

Answer 2

Mutation of cells

Question 3

TNM system (tumor; node; metastasis)
HCP - determine treatment and prognosis and how going do

Answer 3

Staging done at diagnosis

Question 4

uncontrolled cell division

Answer 4

Division

Question 5

formation of a lump (tumor) or large numbers of abnormal white cells in the blood

Answer 5

Growth

Question 6

changes to how the cell is viewed by the immune system

Answer 6

Mutation

Question 7

ability to move within the body and survive in another part

Answer 7

Spread

Question 8

Moving from one part from another

Answer 8

Metastasis

Question 9

The survival of the patient is determined by the

Answer 9

stage of the disease at diagnosis/onset

Question 10

The earlier the detection or the smaller the tumor

Answer 10

the better the survival

Question 11

Don’t smoke
Avoid exposure to know carcinogens
Eat a healthy diet
Be physically active
Vaccinate against or early detection of to prevent cancer causing infections
Have the right genes
**Sometimes there is no predisposing factor

Answer 11

Cancer prevention

Question 12

Ex. UV light, asbestos

Answer 12

Avoid exposure to know carcinogens

Question 13

Fruits and vegetables, limit alcohol; low fat diet

Answer 13

Eat a healthy diet

Question 14

Ex. Hepatits B; Human Papilloma virus (HPV); H.Pylori

Answer 14

Vaccinate against or early detection of to prevent cancer causing infections

Question 15

Certain genes have been isolated

Answer 15

Have the right genes

Question 16

Can be prophylactic, diagnostic (biopsy to diagnosis), or curative (remove all cancer)
30% survival rate with surgery alone - often times if have surgery still following it have radiation/chemo
Remove tumor and lymph nodes around if invaded
Post op care

Answer 16

Surgical treatment

Question 17

All traditional post op physical care - bleeding, infection, wound dehiscence
Need to address emotional and spiritual needs - changes in appearance/functionality; provide emotional support

Answer 17

Post op care

Question 18

Destroys cancer cells but will also affect surrounding tissue
Typically given daily for a designated period of time
Can be external (teletherapy - not radioactive; temp ink marking) or implanted (brachytherapy - radioactive either while implanted/bodily fluids)
For external radiation patients will have markings for course of therapy
Side effects:

Answer 18

Radiation therapy

Question 19

Fatigue
Hair loss - change in appearance
Skin changes - esp if doing in external: Skin care is very important
Altered taste - things not taste same/as good
Forever have Inflammation and scarring of surrounding tissue

Answer 19

Side effects: - Radiation therapy

Question 20

Radiation delivered from a source outside of the patient
Delivered in small doses on a daily basis for a set time period
Patient is not radioactive

Answer 20

Teletherapy: - Radiation delivery types

Question 21

Radiation source is within the patient
Sealed or Unsealed
In brachytherapy the patient emits radiation for a period of time and is a potential hazard to others
Sealed: patient emits radiation when implant in place; seeds
Unsealed: patient body fluids are radioactive and must be handled according to guidelines; IV/PO - need know for precautions

Answer 21

Brachytherapy: - Radiation delivery types

Question 22

Portable shields used
Lead apron used when providing care
Keep all linens and equipment in room until source is removed
Limit caregivers
Limit or no visitors
No pregnant women or children under 16
Pregnant nurses or nurses (male or female) attempting to conceive should not take care for these patients
Private room/bath door closed with signage
Personnel should wear a dosimeter film badge (measures exposure) at all times
Keep soiled linen in room
Minimize care givers

Answer 22

Patient will emit radiation - Radiation therapy: brachytherapy

Question 23

Explain the purpose and side effects of radiation therapy might experience
Good Skin care - might have some inflammation
Instruct the patient not to remove any temporary ink markings until the entire course of radiation therapy is completed - want go in same spot
Follow the department’s policy regarding the use and timing of skin care products

Answer 23

Radiation therapy: teletherapy

Question 24

Using Cytotoxic agents
Used to cure and/or increase survival time - not curative tho; kill cancer and healthy cells
Target rapidly producing cells
Typically given IV but can also be PO
Administration requires special education - good IV imp; typ most have ports/PICC; if have peripheral IV make sure working good
Adhere to all “chemo precautions”
Side Effects caused by the damage of normal cells as well cancer cells
Nursing interventions:

Answer 24

Chemotherapy

Question 25

**Infiltration of the medication can be a serious complication (see next slide)

Answer 25

Administration requires special education - good IV imp; typ most have ports/PICC; if have peripheral IV make sure working good - Chemotherapy

Question 26

Special handling of medications (IV or PO) Special handling of all bodily fluids Double glove

Answer 26

Adhere to all “chemo precautions” - Chemotherapy

Question 27

Anemia Neutropenia Thrombocytopenia Nausea and vomiting Mucositis - mouth sores Hair loss Skin changes Chemo induced peripheral neuropathy - can last whole time have chemo and afterwards Altered bowel elimination Anxiety Sleep disturbances - not being able sleep Changes in cognition - chemo brain Psychosocial concerns - bad AE hard on them and fam

Answer 27

Side Effects caused by the damage of normal cells as well cancer cells - Chemotherapy

Question 28

Neutropenia Anemia Thrombocytopenia Nausea and Vomiting Mucositis Chemo induced peripheral neuropathy

Answer 28

Nursing interventions: - Chemotherapy

Question 29

Infection prevention is key Avoid crowds and sick people Isolation may be required Hand hygiene Report any signs of infection quickly to HCP Monitor WBC and ANC (Absolute Neutrophil count) - CBC Filgrastim (Neupogen) to treat to stim bone marrow to produce more WBC

Answer 29

Neutropenia - Nursing interventions: - Chemotherapy

Question 30

Epogen and procrit to treat Blood transfusion depending on how bad anemia

Answer 30

Anemia - Nursing interventions: - Chemotherapy

Question 31

Platelet transfusion Monitor for bleeding Bleeding precautions

Answer 31

Thrombocytopenia - Nursing interventions: - Chemotherapy

Question 32

Premedication is essential

Answer 32

Nausea and Vomiting - Nursing interventions: - Chemotherapy

Question 33

Frequent oral care Soft bristles tooth brush Commercial mouth wash too tough for them Watch for irritants in oral products

Answer 33

Mucositis - Nursing interventions: - Chemotherapy

Question 34

Chronic for them Prevent injury Protect body areas where sensation is reduced Well-fitting shoes and inspect feet daily Avoid extremes of temperature (pot holders, test water) Use gloves when washing dishes or gardening Stand up slowly Avoid area rugs Use handrails when using stairs

Answer 34

Chemo induced peripheral neuropathy - Nursing interventions: - Chemotherapy