Test #3 Flashcards
Respiratory, cancer & Hematology (102 cards)
What is cancer?
A group of cells that lost its control mechanisms and results in unregulated growth
Heart trouble is the 1st cause of death, what is the 2nd?
Cancer
Cancer
- can develop from any tissue in an organ forming a mass called tumor
- cancerous cells from the primary site can spread (metastasize) throughout the body
- cancer cells need more glucose & O2
- spread through lymphatics
Spreading of cancer (Initiation)
(first)
- change in genetic material brought on spontaneously or by a carcinogen (could be a virus)
Spreading of cancer (Promotion)
(second)
-agents in the environment allow the cell that has undergone initiation to become cancerous
-several factors: combo of susceptible cell and carcinogen
Spreading of cancer (progression)
(third)
- invasion directly
- through lymphatic system
- through bloodstream
Types of cancer
Blood & blood forming
Solid tumors
Blood & blood forming cancers
- leukemias, lymphomas & multiple myelomas
- these cells remain separate and harm by crowding out normal blood cells in the bone marrow and blood stream.
- Gradually replace normal cells
Solid tumor cancers
Carcinomas
-epithelial cells that cover inside and outside of body, produce hormones, make up glands
(adeno, basal, squamous, transitional)
-Elders
Sarcomas
- mesodermal cells that form muscles & connective tissues
- younger people
Adeno
Produced in a place that produces fluids
basal
lower level of the epidermis
squamous
below outer layer of skin linings
transitional
lining of stretchy things (bladder)
Risk factors of cancer
- Family history-chromosomal defect passed down
- Age-77% before age 55
- Environment-anything causing irritation
- Geography
- Diet-obesity, high fat, nitrates
- Viral infections-puts you at risk (Hep B, mono, HPV)
- Inflammatory diseases-Chron’s
Defenses against cancer
Immune system:
- normally the body recognizes the tumor antigen as foreign & can contain or destroy it before it becomes established.
- If the cells have reproduced rapidly and formed a mass, the system may be unable to contain/destroy
- Antibodies are formed but may not be powerful enough to overcome in some cancers
- Some antigens can be detected with blood test tumor markers (used to screen & evaluate response to treatment)
**Might not have enough T cells
S/S of cancer info
Some occur with almost all cancers & other are specific to the type of cancer and its location
-growing in large space-minimal S/S
- s/s due to growing into, thus irritating and destroying tissue
- putting pressure on tissue
- producing toxins
- using nutrients normally available for normal tissue
While growing in primary site may have one set of S/S but different with metz
-complications–paraneoplastic syndrome
(symptoms that occur at sites distant from a tumor or its metastasis)
S/S of cancer
Pain
-painless > mild discomfort > worsens with time & enlargement
(compression/erosion into nerves & other structures)
Bleeding
- slight since cells are not well attached to each other and vessels are fragile
- with better organization, bleeding may be massive
- site of cancer determines site of bleeding
Weight loss/fatigue -increases as cancer progresses -appetite good > anorexia with nausea -advanced stage-tired and sleepy -if anemic, tired and SOB with exertion (unexplained weight loss, food is nourishing cancer cells)
Swollen lymph nodes
- swell as the lymph system tries to clear
- start to become immovable and possibly painful
Depression
- related to illness, fear of dying & loss of control
- could be from spread to brain
- respiratory system
- due to blockage, pressure, bleeding, anemia
Diagnostics of cancer
Physical exams (risk factors looked at-smoker, drinker, obese)
Screeners-not defenitive
- further testing necessary
- tumor markers in blood-test further
Staging
- clinical (labs, x-rays, scans, biopsies, etc.)
- pathological (excision of tumor and node exam-more precise)
What is cytology?
biopsy of cells
What is excision?
take lump out
Staging of cancer
- Determines size & location and growth into near structures
- helps determination of treatment and prognosis
Most common is TNM
- tumor
- nodes
- metastasis
Cancer staging number doesn’t change, even if condition does
TNM system (T)
T-Primary tumor
size, how deep into organ, has it grown into surrounding tissue?
TX-cannot be measured
T0-cannot be found
T1, T2, T3, T4-size of tumor and/or the more spread to surrounding tissue
Higher the number, larger the tumor or more it has spread
TNM System (N)
N-Nodes
Number of nearby lymph nodes that have cancer
NX-cannot be measured
N0-do not contain cancer
N1, N2, N3-describes size, location and/or number affected
Higher the number, greater the spread`
TNM system (M)
M-Metastasis
has the cancer spread or not?
MX-cannot be measured
M0-no distant cancer spread found
M1-cancer has spread to other parts of body