Paediatric Cancer Care

Question 1

what children are at an increase risk for development of cancer

Answer 1

genetic predisposition (down syndrome, li-fraument syndrome, retinoblastoma- lack tutor suppressor gene)
immunocompromised
history of cancer

Question 2

Leukemia

Answer 2

blood/marrow
damage to single bone marrow
uncontrolled proliferation of blasts
decrease normal cel

Question 3

lymphoma

Answer 3

lymphocytes
lymph system
immunity
chemo & radiation combined

Question 4

why are some symptoms of brain tumours more significant than others

Answer 4

if symptoms are consistent they are more significant

Question 5

what are some challenges of children treatment

Answer 5

the blood brain barrier and tight junctions prevent chemo from crossing

Question 6

hematopoeisis

Answer 6

production of hematopoietic cells- stem cells

these can be suppressed by chemo (myelosupressant)

Question 7

considerations of paediatric cancer

Answer 7

anemia
neutropenia- monitor for fever, inspect skin, enemas (story about child who went in for a fly bite- septic shock)
thrombocytopenia: low platelet count
bruising/bleeding: DO NOT GIVE TYLENOL could mask a fever

Question 8

what should you do regular inspections of every time you give chemo treatment

Answer 8

cranial nerve assessment
neuro status and pain assessment
check glucose
monitor O2 and baseline cardiac function
hydration and strick I& O

Question 9

deficits associated with chemo

Answer 9

cranial nerve deficits
peripheral neuropathy (decrease deep tendon reflexes)
endocrine toxicities: insulin deficiencies
cardiac toxicities: arythmias
renal toxicities: tumour lysis syndrome, hemorrhagic cystitis (damage to bladder mucosal from drug metabolization)

Question 10

What has usually already occurred in paediatric cancer

Answer 10

Metastasis, but they usually do very good