ONCOLOGY

Comprehensive flashcards covering oncology concepts, cancer development stages, prevention strategies, treatment modalities (radiation and chemotherapy), side effects, and oncologic emergencies based on lecture notes.

Neoplasia (Neoplasms)

Abnormal cell growth or abnormal cell function where the cells do not function normally and possess characteristics different from normal cells.

Benign Growth

Growth that is continuous and inappropriate but remains contained and expanded within a specific area; these cells possess normal genes.

Malignant Growth

Rapidly growing, invasive cells that expand and invade other tissues; these cells possess defective or mutated genes.

Carcinogenesis (Oncogenesis)

The process of cancer development which takes years to occur and is dependent on three interacting factors: exposure to a carcinogen, genetic disposition, and immunity.

Initiation Stage

The first stage of carcinogenesis where carcinogens alter a cell's genetic activity, enabling it to become a cancer cell.

Promotion Stage

The stage where promoter substances enhance the growth of an initiated cell to form a tumor and cellular regulation is lost, promoting excessive cell division.

Progression Stage

The stage where a cancerous tumor grows a new blood system (tumor vascularization) to sustain itself.

Metastatic Stage

The stage where cancer cells break from the primary tumor, enter blood vessels, and invade other areas to become a secondary cancer or metastatic tumor.

Primary Prevention

Strategies focused on preventing the actual occurrence of cancer, such as avoidance of carcinogens (smoking), modifying diet, removal of at-risk tissues (polyps), chemoprevention, and vaccination (HPV).

Secondary Prevention

Strategies focused on screening for early cancer detection, including annual mammography, colonoscopy, digital rectal examinations (DREs), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing.

Teletherapy (External Beam Therapy)

Local radiation therapy delivered from outside the patient; the patient is not radioactive or a hazard to others after treatment.

Brachytherapy (Internal Therapy)

Systemic radiation therapy where radioactive isotopes are placed directly inside the body in continuous contact with the tumor; the patient is radioactive and a hazard to others.

Extravasation

A complication of IV chemotherapy where drugs (vesicants) leak into the surrounding tissue causing necrosis; prevention focuses on ensuring patent IV access.

Radiation Dermatitis

The most common acute local side effect of radiation therapy, ranging from redness and rash to skin desquamation (shedding or peeling of the outer skin layer).

Alopecia

The thinning or total loss of hair over the head or pubic area; hair typically grows back one month after completing chemotherapy but may have a different texture or color.

Nadir

The period of time after chemotherapy (typically between $7$ and $12$ days) when bone marrow activity is at its lowest, putting the patient at the highest risk for infection and bleeding.

Chemo Brain

A temporary change in cognitive function characterized by reduced concentration, memory loss, and difficulty learning new information caused by inflammatory processes.

Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)

The loss of sensory or motor function perception, manifesting as lost sensation in hands and feet, impaired gait, orthostatic hypotension, or neuropathic pain.

Spinal Cord Compression

An oncological emergency caused by a tumor pressing on the spinal cord; symptoms include back pain, weakness, loss of sensation, urinary retention, and constipation.

Superior Vena Cava (SVC) Syndrome

A life-threatening complication where the SVC is compressed by a tumor or blocked by a clot, causing periorbital edema, JVD, and tightness around the collar.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

A life-threatening disorder where the clotting system becomes overactivated everywhere at once, leading to microclots that block vessels followed by uncontrolled bleeding as clotting factors are depleted.

SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate Anti-Diuretic Hormone)

A condition where tumors (such as lung cancer) secrete ADH, causing excess $H_2O$ to be reabsorbed into circulation, leading to dilutional hyponatremia and fluid overload.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome

An indication of effective cancer therapy where destroyed cells release potassium ($K^+$), phosphorus, and uric acid into the blood, potentially causing arrhythmias and kidney injury.

Hypercalcemia

A metabolic emergency where cancer cells secrete parathyroid hormones or bone metastasis causes bone breakdown, releasing high levels of calcium into the bloodstream.

C.A.U.T.I.O.N.

An acronym for the physical warning signs of cancer: Changes in bowel/bladder habits, A sore that does not heal, Unusual bleeding/discharge, Thickening or lump, Indigestion/difficulty swallowing, Obvious change in wart/mole, and Nagging cough/hoarseness.