4. Surgery, Hormones, HSCT

what are the types of cancer surgery?

• diagnostic (biopsy)

• curative (tumor removal)

• palliative (debulking to relieve pain)

• reconstructive (breast reconstruction after mastectomy)

• prophylactic (preventive surgery before cancer develops)

can a patient receiving palliative care still have cancer surgery? *

yes, tumor debulking can relieve pain and improve comfort

what complications can occur with cancer surgery?

• infection

• bleeding or hemorrhage

• anesthesia complications

  • especially in very young and older patients

how are sex hormones used in cancer care?

they can stop cancer cell growth

how are corticosteroids used in cancer care?

they can reduce nausea and increase appetite

which cancer treatment acts on the immune system to fight cancer? *

immunotherapy

what is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)?

IV infusion of stem cells to replace nonfunctional cells

• aka bone marrow transplantation

stem cell transplant is _____ the first line of treatment

not

• invasive, hard to find match

stem cell transplantation complications

• graft-versus-host disease (stem cells attack recipients body)

• infection

• electrolyte imbalances

• bleeding

what is graft-versus-host disease?

donor immune cells attack the recipient’s tissues after an allogeneic transplant

long-term risks associated with stem cell transplantation

• effects on growth and development

• impaired fertility

• increased risk of another cancer