Cancer Basics
What is cancer?
Uncontrolled, unregulated growth of cells
What acronym is important to know for prevention and detection?
CAUTION UP
What are the cancer treatment goals?
What is leukemia?
group of cancers that affect the blood and blood forming tissues in the marrow, lymph and spleen
abnormal growth of hematopoietic cells
At what age is the peak onset for leukemia in children?
2-5 years old
What is the primary difference between benign and malignant tumors?
Benign are noncancerous, malignant invade and metastasize
Which two stages of cancer display in situ?
stage 0 and 1 - in situ means in its original place and have not spread to surrounding tissue
Explain the difference between palliative and curative
curative treatment aims to eliminate or cure cancer, while palliative aims at treating symptoms and comfort
Where do solid tumors originate?
from a single site of origin such as lung, pancreas, breast
This type of leukemia is seen in children with trisomy 21 and is the most common childhood malignancy. Children may have fevers, pallor, anemia and bone pain
ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia)
What are the three ways cells can be exposed to a carcinogen?
Chemical, radiation, viral
Name this stage of cancer: cancer is present and has spread to nearby tissues
Stage 2-3
What is the purpose of chemotherapy?
to kill rapid dividing cells in the body
This type of leukemia, if left untreated, a person can live with
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Your patient has a unilateral, painless mass in their abdomen, malaise, hematuria and hypertension. What diagnosis are you concerned for?
Wills Tumor (nephroblastoma)
What are proto-oncogenes?
Normal, healthy genes that regulate cell growth, division and survival
Name 3 early warning signs of cancer
change in bowel or bladder
a lesion that wont heal
unusual bleeding or discharge
thickening or lump
indigestion or difficulty swallowing
obvious changes in wart or mole
nagging cough or persistent hoarsness
unexplained weightloss
pernicious anemia
Patients receiving chemotherapy are at high risk for what?
infection
True or false: Reed Sternburg cells are found in Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
False! They are found in hodgkins lyphoma
What are some major, long-term side effects of pediatric cancer treatments?
impaired cognitive development, delayed onset of puberty, delayed growth, infertility, impaired dentition
What stage of cancer development includes increased tumor growth, increased vascularization, and increased metastasis?
Progression
Which labs are commonly used for cancer diagnosis?
CBC, tissue biopsy, labs pertinent to where cancer is
Hypercalcemia, elevated creatinine and bence jones proteins are all found in what type of cancer?
Multiple Myeloma
Treatment for this includes chemo to shrink tumor, amputation, emotional and pain management
Ewings Sarcoma