Nursing 6

What is oncology?

The branch of medical science dealing with the origin development diagnosis and treatment of tumors and malignant neoplasms.

What is cancer?

An abnormal growth of cells that proliferate uncontrollably and interfere with normal body functions.

What is neoplasia?

Abnormal proliferation of cells in a tissue or organ also known as a tumor.

What is dysplasia?

An early precancerous change where cells differ from their tissue of origin.

What is carcinoma in situ?

Cancer cells that remain localized and have not invaded surrounding tissues.

What is metastasis?

The spread of cancer cells from the primary site to distant parts of the body.

What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?

Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells while meiosis produces cells with half the chromosome number.

What are the three components of TNM staging?

Tumor size (T) lymph node involvement (N) and distant metastasis (M).

What is a carcinoma?

A cancer arising from epithelial tissues lining organs and body surfaces.

What is a sarcoma?

A cancer originating from connective or supportive tissues such as bone cartilage muscle or fat.

What is primary chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy used as the sole treatment for highly sensitive tumors.

What is adjuvant chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy given after surgery to destroy microscopic residual disease.

What is neoadjuvant chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy given before surgery to shrink tumors and improve resection success.

What is concurrent chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy administered together with radiation therapy to enhance radiation effects.

How do chemotherapeutic drugs inhibit cancer growth?

By damaging DNA inhibiting DNA synthesis or stopping mitosis.

How are chemotherapy doses commonly calculated?

Based on the patient's body surface area.

What is a complete response to chemotherapy?

The disappearance of all detectable malignant disease.

What is external radiation therapy?

Radiation delivered from a machine outside the body directed at the tumor.

What is brachytherapy?

Internal radiation therapy using a radioactive source placed inside or near the tumor.

What is systemic radiation therapy?

Treatment using radioactive drugs that travel throughout the body to target cancer cells.

What is anaplasia?

A lack of cellular differentiation commonly seen in malignant tumors.

What is hyperplasia?

An increase in the number of cells within a tissue or organ.

What are oncogenes?

Mutated genes that promote uncontrolled cell division and cancer development.

What are tumor suppressor genes?

Genes that regulate cell growth and prevent uncontrolled proliferation.

What is the role of the p53 gene?

It helps regulate cell growth repair DNA damage and promote apoptosis.

What are cancer promoters?

Agents that accelerate cell growth and cancer development after initiation.

What are initiators?

Agents that cause permanent genetic mutations in cells.

What are the characteristics of malignant tumors?

Invasive growth tissue destruction metastasis and frequent recurrence.

What is metastasis?

The spread of tumor cells to distant sites through blood lymph or direct extension.

What are the three main TNM classifications?

Primary tumor (T) lymph node spread (N) and distant metastasis (M).

What is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?

A cancer in which the bone marrow produces too many immature lymphocytes and is the most common childhood cancer.

What are the major symptoms of ALL?

Fever easy bruising bleeding petechiae bone pain fatigue and loss of appetite.

What is the purpose of induction chemotherapy in ALL?

To destroy as many leukemia cells as possible and induce remission.

What is consolidation therapy in ALL?

Treatment aimed at maintaining remission and preventing spread to the CNS.

What is maintenance therapy in ALL?

Long-term treatment using drugs such as methotrexate and mercaptopurine to prevent relapse.

What is Hodgkin lymphoma?

A cancer of the lymphatic system that commonly begins in lymph nodes of the neck.

What is the most common first sign of Hodgkin lymphoma?

Painless swelling of one or more lymph nodes.

What is Non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

A group of lymphatic cancers arising from B or T lymphocytes.

What is retinoblastoma?

A malignant tumor of the retina and the most common eye cancer in children.

What is nephroblastoma (Wilms tumor)?

A childhood kidney cancer that usually presents as a large abdominal mass.

What are gastrointestinal cancers?

Malignant tumors that occur in the digestive system including the esophagus stomach liver pancreas and colon.

What are the five common types of GI cancers?

Colorectal gastric liver pancreatic and esophageal cancers.

What are the major risk factors for GI cancers?

Smoking alcohol obesity poor diet chronic infections genetics and inflammatory bowel disease.

What are the two major types of esophageal cancer?

Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

What are common symptoms of esophageal cancer?

Dysphagia weight loss chest pain cough and hoarseness.

What is the most important risk factor for gastric cancer?

Helicobacter pylori infection.

What are common symptoms of colorectal cancer?

Change in bowel habits blood in stool abdominal pain fatigue and weight loss.

Why is pancreatic cancer often difficult to treat?

It is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage.

What are common diagnostic investigations for GI cancers?

Endoscopy colonoscopy CT scan MRI and biopsy.

What are the main treatment options for GI cancers?

Surgery chemotherapy radiotherapy targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

What is the most common type of breast cancer?

Ductal carcinoma which begins in the milk ducts.

What are major risk factors for breast cancer?

Increasing age early menstruation obesity hormone therapy and late or no pregnancy.

What is the most common symptom of breast cancer?

A new breast lump or mass.

What other symptoms may indicate breast cancer?

Nipple retraction breast pain skin dimpling nipple discharge and breast swelling.

What is a mammogram?

An X-ray examination of the breast used to detect breast cancer.

Why is a biopsy performed in breast cancer diagnosis?

To confirm whether a suspicious breast lesion is cancerous.

What is DCIS?

Ductal carcinoma in situ a non-invasive breast cancer confined to the ducts.

What is breast-conserving surgery?

Removal of the cancer and a small amount of surrounding tissue while preserving most of the breast.

What is a mastectomy?

Surgical removal of the entire breast.

What are common complications after mastectomy?

Wound infection seroma hematoma chronic pain and local recurrence.

What is oral cancer?

A malignant growth that develops in the tissues of the mouth or oral cavity.

What are the common sites of oral cancer?

Tongue floor of the mouth lips buccal mucosa hard palate and gingiva.

What is the most common type of oral cancer?

Squamous cell carcinoma.

What are the major risk factors for oral cancer?

Tobacco use alcohol consumption HPV infection and prolonged sun exposure to the lips.

What is leukoplakia?

A white patch in the mouth that may be a precancerous lesion.

What is erythroplakia?

A red patch in the oral cavity with a high risk of malignant transformation.

What are common symptoms of oral cancer?

Persistent mouth ulcer pain difficulty swallowing bleeding and a lump in the mouth or neck.

How is oral cancer diagnosed?

Through physical examination biopsy imaging studies and endoscopy.

What are the main treatment options for oral cancer?

Surgery radiotherapy chemotherapy and reconstructive surgery.

What is the role of reconstruction surgery in oral cancer?

To restore appearance and function after removal of cancerous tissue.

What is the most common cause of lung cancer?

Cigarette smoking.

What are the two main types of lung cancer?

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Which type of lung cancer is the most aggressive?

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

What are the three major subtypes of NSCLC?

Squamous cell carcinoma adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma.

What is the most common subtype of lung cancer?

Adenocarcinoma.

What are common symptoms of lung cancer?

Persistent cough hemoptysis dyspnea chest pain weight loss and fatigue.

What is hemoptysis?

Coughing up blood.

What diagnostic test is often the first investigation for lung cancer?

Chest X-ray (CXR).

What does TNM staging stand for?

Tumor size Node involvement and Metastasis.

What are the three main treatment modalities for lung cancer?

Surgery radiation therapy and chemotherapy.