Patho - Oncology

Biggest risk factor for cancer?

Aging

Differentiation

Process by which cells develop to form different tissues in the body

- Not necessarily bad

Anaplastic

Cancer cells become poorly or not differentiated at all

Dysplasia

Disorganization of cells where it varies is size, shape, or organization

Is dysplasia reversible?

Yes

- Can reverse itself or may progress to cancer

Metaplasia

First level dysplasia

- Reversible and benign

Hyperplasia

Increase in the number of cells in tissue resulting in increased tissue mass

- Can be result of normal changes

Tumor

Abnormal growths of new tissue that serve no useful purpose

Classification of Neoplasms (5)

1. Cell type

2. Tissue of origin

3. Degree of differentiation

4. Anatomic site

5. Benign or malignant

Most common form of staging/grading tumors?

TNM (tumor, node, metastases)

Can brain cancer be staged?

No

Stage 0

Carcinoma in situ (pre-malignant, preinvasive)

- Hyperplasia (maybe some dysplasia)

Stage 1

Early stage

- Local cancer

Stage 2

Increased risk of spread because of tumor size

- Still localized

Stage 3

Local cancer has spread but may not be disseminated to distant regions

Stage 4

Cancer has spread and disseminated to distant sites

Endogenous

Hereditary

- Show a familial pattern

Exogenous

Cancer causing agents

Oncogenes

Small segments of genetic DNA

- AKA cancer causing genes

- Have the ability to transform normal cells into malignant cells

What may activate oncogenes?

Carcinogens

- Can be 'dormant' until activated

2 Ways Oncogenes May Cause Cancer

1. Independently

2. Incorporated with a virus

5 Main Cancer Treatments

1. Radiation

2. Chemotherapy

3. Surgical removal

4. Hormonal

5. Biologic

Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Rare disorders that are triggered by an altered immune system response to a neoplasm (cancer tumor)

- Systemic effects that accompany malignant disease

What do paraneoplastic syndromes result from?

Substances such as hormones produced by the tumor

- Occur remotely from the tumor itself

4 Cancers Most often Diagnosed from Paraneoplastic Symptoms

1. Lung

2. Ovarian

3. Lymphatic

4. Breast

5 Biologic Mechanisms of Cancer Pain

1. Bone destruction

2. Visceral obstruction

3. Nerve compression

4. Skin or tissue distension

5. Tissue inflammation

Radiation for thyroid cancer may lead to ___?

Hypothyroidism

What is a pt at risk for after lymph node removal?

Lymphedema

- At risk forever (no BP or needles on side of removal)

Sentinel Nodes

The 1st nodes that dye is taken up by

Radiation Skin Reactions

- May start as erythema

- Dry desquamation occurs

- Followed by moist desquamation

What med are pts who had an allogenic transplant commonly on?

Immunosuppressant meds