Oncology Lecture Terms: Key Cancer Definitions and Concepts

primary tumor

from local cells

secondary tumors

metastasized cells

carcinoma tumors

originating from epithelium

adenocarcinoma tumors

from glandular tissue

sarcoma tumors

from connective tissue and muscle

astrocytoma tumors

arises in astrocytes, nerve tissue, typically benign, but harmful due to their location

lymphoma tumors

lymphoid tissue, (lymph nodes and spleen) also in skin, CNS, stomach, and bone

hematopoietic malignancies

leukemia

multiple myeloma

myelodysplasia

myeloproliferative syndromes

type of cancer (dysplasia)

-disorganization of cells where the adult cell varies from its normal size, shape or organization

-May reverse itself or may progress to cancer

type of cancer (metaplasia)

- first level of dysplasia, reversible and benign but abnormal change

type of cancer (hyperplasia)

-an increase in the # of cells in tissue, with resultant increased tissue mass

type of cancer (physiologic hyperplasia)

- normal, examples are wound healing and bone callus formation

type of cancer (neoplastic hyperplasia)

- increase of cell mass due to tumor formation, an abnormal process

stages of cancer

- 0: premalignant

- 1: early stage, local cancer

- 2: increased risk of spread because of tumor size

- 3: local cancer spread, but not to distant regions

- 4: caner has spread to distant regions

TNM staging

- Mostly used for solid tumors

-Tumor (T): primary tumor, 0 to 4

-Regional lymph nodes (N); lymph node involvement, 0 to 4

-Metastasis (M): 0 for no mets, 1 for mets

-T0: undetectable

-T1, T2, T3, T4: progressive increase in size or involvement

-TX, NX, MX: cannot be assessed

incidence of cancer (most diagnosed)

lung, prostate, breast, colorectal

incidence (most prevalent)

lung

- 1 in 3 diagnosed with invasive cancer

- 3 in 5 cured/survive

incidence (cancer prevention)

- smoking cessation

-PA

- healthy weight

incidence (surviorship)

- male: prostate, colorectal, melanoma

- female: breast, uterine, colorectal

etiology

- endogenous (genetic)

-exogenous (environmental which is a result of most cancers)

-multiple environmental, viral, and genetic factors, failure of aging immune system

risk factors (lifestyle)

- 70% of total risk, smoking leading to lung, bladder, pancreas, kidney, larynx, oral, esophagus cancer

risk factors (ethnicity)

- minorities, poverty, inequities with insurance suffer more

risk factors (heredity)

- only 5 to 10% of cancers are inherited

risk factors (diet)

- may blunt immune system (healthy diet can help with the spread of cancer)

risk factors (alcohol consumption)

- increased rates of cancer for: mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, breast, and likely colon

risk factors (sexual and reproductive)

- cervical cancer is higher for people who had intercourse at a young age with multiple partners

- pregnancy and lactation helps to protect against cancer

risk factors (location)

- rural: skin cancer more common because it is less likely to get preventative screenings

- urban: colon cancer more prevalent

PT implications (radiation)

- aerobic exercise, lymphedema, modality precautions

PT implications (chemotherapy)

- aerobic exercise (fatigue, diminished function, nausea, monitor HR & BP) neuropathies, cognitive loss

PT implications (acute)

- mobility training, adaptive devices, breathing techniques, wound management

PT implications (subacute)

- bracing, exercise, prosthesis, modality precautions

PT implications (PT eval)

- anyone with a previous history over 40 needs to be screened for red flags

- MSK tumors: pain swelling, local heat

- fall risk assessment

- monitor lab values and vital signs

- contact physician if fever, fatigue, chest pain, unusual bleeding

pulmonary mets

- most common

- dry persistent cough

liver mets

- come from stomach, colorectal, pancreas

- sign of advanced cancer

-abdominal and R upper quadrant pain, malaise and fatigue, weight loss

bone mets

- come from primarily breast, lung, prostate

- axial skeleton most involved

-deep pain worsened with activity

- hypercalecmia

CNS (brain) mets

- come from lung (most common)

- life threatening and emotionally debilitating

CNS (spine) mets

- come from lung, breast, prostate, kidney

- back/radicular pain, bladder and bowel issues

cancer pain

- one of the most common symptoms

-causes: pressure/displacement of nerves, bone mets, result of surgery/treatment

cancer related fatigue

- distressing, persistent sense of tiredness

- not proportional to recent activity

- fatigue should be screened and rated (mild/mod/severe)

paraneoplastic syndrome

- systemic S&S that are not direct effects of the tumor or its metastasis

- hormone production by tumor cells or biochemically active substances that cause metabolic abnormalities

- can be an early clue to certain types of cancer

- symptoms: skin changes, neurologic changes, anorexia, malaise, diarrhea, weight loss, fever

- MSK: gradual progressive muscle weakness, diminished reflexes