Oncology

• The tissue or blood cells where it starts
• The type

• solid tumors
• hematologic malignancies

• Arise from specific tissue:
• Sarcomas
• Carcinomas

• Begins in the connective tissues - tissues the body uses to connect or support other tissue
• Ex: bones, muscle, fat, etc.

• MOST COMMON TYPE
• Originate from epithelial tissue, which is what lines the organs
• These cancers originate in the lining of organs like the lungs or liver, breast, colon, or prostate

• Originate from blood or lymphatic cells
• Begins with one abnormal cell that starts growing and dividing out of control, so it takes time to develop

• means it has the ability to travel or spread
• The primary cancer travels to other sites of the body

• Can occur by:
• direct invasion
• blood system
• lymphatic system

• Low fiber diet - as food sits longer in GI tract with cancerous ingredients in food
• Increased red meat & animal fat
• Nitrites - found in processed sandwich meats
• Alcohol

Age! with higher incidence over age 60

African Americans followed by Caucasians

• Ways to help prevent the actual occurrence of cancer:
• No smoking
• Exercise and good nutrition
• Maintain normal body weight
• Limit or eliminate alcohol
• Get vaccines for preventable diseases such as Hep B and HPV
• Avoid exposure to known carcinogens

Using screening to pick up on cancer early, when there is a greater chance for cure or control

• Breast self awareness
• Mammogram
• Pap smears
• colonoscopy

• beginning in their 20's
• best time during menstrual cycle is between day 7 - 12.  Do at end or just before end of period
• *Post-menopausal or women who have had hysterectomy should perform same day every month

• Yearly for women greater than 40
• Once every three years for women 20-39
• Mammogram should be annually at age 40

• No lotion, powder, or deodorant
• this can be picked up at calcium deposit in mammogram, which is otherwise a sign of cancer

Every 3 years beginning at age 21, as long as there are no problems

starting at age 50, and then every 10 years if there are no problems

Yearly beginning at age 50, unless previous problems or positive family history

Info on breast self-awareness and yearly testicular exams

• Grow very fast, so should recommend monthly testicular self exams
• Major age group for testicular cancer is young males ages 15 - 36

Should get digital rectal exam and be tested for prostate specific antigen (PSA) annually after age 50

• At age 50 and then every 10 years
• Fecal occult blood testing should be done yearly

• Focuses on management of long term care for clients with complex treatment for cancer
• Examples are support groups and rehabilitation

• CAUTION:
• C: Change in bowel/bladder habits
• A: A sore that doesn't heal
• U: Unusual bleeding/discharge
• T: Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
• I: Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
• O: Obvious change in wart or mole
• N: Nagging cough or hoarseness

leads to anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia

• Unexplained weight loss.
• Cachexia is a common term, means extreme wasting and malnutrition. 
• Fever - first sign of leukemia
• Fatigue - Duh
• Pain

• Blood test are big for diagnoses:
• Abnormal CBC w diff
• Most concerned about neutrophils!!
• Elevated liver enzymes and AST/ALT
• Tumor markers

removal of vocal cords, epiglottis, and thyroid cartilage

• Time specific therapies. 
• so not done together.
• Rather, one comes before the next. 
• Ex: Surgery and then chemo

• Internal radiation (brachytherapy)
• External radiation

• Used to get radiation close to cancer or target tissue
• Is INSIDE the body.
• Pt emits radiation for a period of time so is a hazard to others

either sealed or unsealed

• Client and body fluids emit radiation
• Radioisotope is given either IV or PO
• Radioactive for 24 to 48 hours

• Also known as solid
• Client emits radiation
• Body fluids are NOT radioactive
• Can be temporary or a permanent implant that is placed close to or inside tumor

• Time, Distance, and Shielding
• Nurse assignments should be rotated daily
• Will wear film badge
• Limit visitors to 30 min daily, must stay at least 6 ft away for at least 2-3 days after

• Involves a carefully focused beam of high energy rays delivered by a machine outside the body
• Client is NOT radioactive!

• Erythema
• Shedding of skin
• Altered taste
• Fatigue - Duh
• Pancytopenia (All blood components are decreased.)
• *Pan means everything.

• Don't wash off markings!
• Don't use lotion
• Protect site from sunlight or UV exposure for 1 yr after completion of therapy - skin is very fragile