Sickle Cell
What is hydroxyurea used for?
an oral chemotherapy medication that treats sickle cell anemia by increasing fetal hemoglobin and treating cancers like CML and head/neck cancer by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Also used for essential thrombocythemia (elevated platelet counts)
the earliest, most immature white blood cells (WBCs) produced by stem cells in the bone marrow.
Blast cells
a highly treatable cancer affecting a part of the body's germ-fighting immune network. It often presents as painless, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin, accompanied by fever, night sweats, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. It is characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells.
Hodgkins lymphoma
A single oral temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, or a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher that lasts for at least one hour. Patients with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
Neutropenic fever. Pts w/neutrophil count of less than 0.5 highest risk.Emergency requiring rapid antibiotics for fever in patients with low white blood cell counts
What type of anemia will patients develop with a slow GI bleed?
Iron deficiency anemia
Sudden weakness, pale lips, fast heartbeat, fast breathing, pain on the left side of the abdomen, and a rapidly enlarging, tender spleen
Splenic sequestration
an aggressive cancer of the blood and bone marrow, characterized by the rapid proliferation of immature myeloid cells (blasts) that crowd out healthy blood cells. It commonly affects adults over 60, with symptoms including fatigue, fever, bruising, and infections. Treatment involves immediate chemotherapy (induction and consolidation) and sometimes stem cell transplantation
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Common symptoms include painless, swollen lymph nodes (neck, armpit, or groin), persistent fatigue, fever, and night sweats. Treatment, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, depends on the type, stage (indolent or aggressive), and speed of progression
Non-Hodkin lymphoma
blockage of the main vein returning blood from the upper body to the heart, causing facial/neck swelling, breathing difficulties, and distended chest veins. Primarily caused by cancer (lung cancer, lymphoma) pressing on the vein
Superior vena cava syndrome
benign, slow-growing tumors arising from the pituitary gland that overproduce hormones, leading to significant metabolic, endocrine, and systemic issues
Functional (or secreting) adenomas. Growth hormone, prolactin, FSH/LH, ADH, ACTH, etc
What do patients need if their spleen is removed?
Vaccinations
Cell Type Affected Myeloid cells (granulocytes) Philadelphia Chromosome
Primary TreatmentTyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs)BTK/BCL-2 inhibitors, chemo
Progression (Chronic, Accelerated, Blast)
Common Symptoms Splenomegaly , fatigue
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
an uncommon, generally incurable blood cancer where abnormal plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, overcrowding healthy blood cells and producing faulty M-proteins. It causes bone pain, fractures, kidney damage, and high infection risk. Treatment, including immunotherapies and targeted therapies, can manage the disease for years
multiple myeloma
a serious oncologic emergency occurring in up to 30% of cancer patients, often indicating advanced disease (e.g., lung, breast, myeloma). It is characterized by elevated _____ _____ levels causing renal failure, confusion, and coma.
Hypercalcemia of malignancy.
deadliest and most aggressive form of malignant brain cancer, with a median survival time typically under 15 months
Glioblastoma
What are the two main considerations when caring for a patient in sickle cell crisis?
Pain control and fluid hydration
bone marrow cell develops genetic mutations that cause it to grow and divide uncontrollably, preventing the production of healthy cells. Most common cancer ages 2-5. Poorer prognosis in adults. Common signs include fever, fatigue, weakness, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, and swollen lymph nodes. testing inc. bone marrow biopsy & cytogenic testing
Acute lymphocytic anemia. Treatment generally involves two main phases: remission induction (to kill leukemia cells) and consolidation therapy (to kill remaining, inactive cells). Options include chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and sometimes stem cell transplants
Treatment of this oncologic emergency may include IV fluids, allopurinol, diuretics, kayexalate and phophate binders
Tumor lysis syndrome
a potentially fatal oncologic emergency occurring when large numbers of cancer cells die rapidly, typically after chemotherapy, releasing toxins into the bloodstream faster than kidneys can remove them. It causes high potassium, phosphate, and uric acid, alongside low calcium, leading to kidney failure, arrhythmia, and seizures
Tumor lysis syndrome
in oncology refers to the damage and physical displacement of surrounding tissue caused by a growing tumor. As a tumor expands, it compresses adjacent structures, blood vessels, and nerves, often leading to symptoms like pain, voice changes, or neurological deficits. It is frequently observed in brain tumors, where it can cause dangerous midline shifts.
Mass effect
a life-threatening, pneumonia-like complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) characterized by fever, chest pain, and new lung infiltrates on X-ray. It is a medical emergency often caused by infection or vaso-occlusion (clotting) in the lungs, leading to low oxygen, rapid respiratory failure, or death.
Acute chest syndrome
B Lymphoctes, primary tx chemo and BTK/BCL-2 inhibitors and MABs; progression slow, may not need tx; common symptoms: lymphadenopathy and fatigue
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
a group of cancers occurring when blood-forming stem cells in the bone marrow produce immature, defective cells (blasts) rather than healthy blood cells. Symptoms often include fatigue, shortness of breath, easy bruising, and recurrent infections.Risk factors include previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy (secondary MDS), and exposure to chemicals like benzene.
myelodysplatic syndrome
Initial management focuses on aggressive IV fluid resuscitation, followed by bisphosphonates (zoledronic acid, lasix, and calcitonin for rapid response
What is treatment Hypercalcemia of malignancy?
a vascular condition where blood flow is diverted (stolen) from one body part to another due to abnormal low-resistance pathways, typically causing ischemia. (this is not a cancer related)
STEAL syndrome. Common forms include Subclavian Steal Syndrome (impacting brain/arm blood flow) and Dialysis Access-associated Steal Syndrome (hand ischemia), leading to dizziness, pain, numbness, and potential tissue damage