Oncology 101

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Tumor lysis syndrome classification

metabloc

tumor lysis syndome

chemotherapy destroys cancer cells, releasing intracellular contents into bloodstream

s/s of tumor lysis syndrome

Nausea, vomiting, lethargy, arthralgia, weakness, fatigue, arrhythmias, seizures

superior vena cava syndrome classification

Structural/Mechanically Induced

what is superior vena cava syndrome

Increased pressure in the superior vena cava caused by obstructed blood flow returning to the heart

s/s superior vena cava syndrome

Swelling in the upper thorax, face, or neck,

jugular vein distension (JVD), dyspnea, tachycardia,

cyanosis, CNS symptoms, confusion, visual changes

spinal cord compression classification

structural/ mechanical

what is spinal cord compression

Compression of brain/spinal cord due to malignancy (can be due to primary tumor or metastases

s/s of spinal cord compression

Localized back pain, especially thoracic, worse with supine lying and at night, muscle weakness below area of spinal involvement.

classification of neutropenic fever

hematologic

what is neutropenic fever

A fever > 100.4° F for more than one hour in a
person with neutropenia (low white blood cell count)

s/s of neutropenic fever

Fever, tachycardia, typical symptoms of infection are usually absent

classification steroid myopathy

treatment related

what is steroid myopathy

Muscular weakness induced by chronic use or high dose of corticosteroids

classification chemotherapy toxicities

treatment related or metabolic

what is chemotherapy toxicities

Systemic adverse effects related to organ damage
from chemotherapy; most common in heart, CNS, kidney, and
lungs

s/s chemotherapy toxicities

highly dependent on organ or system
which is damaged

chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy s/s

Numbness and tingling in hands and feet

Painful dysesthesias,

sensory loss
Poor proprioception,

DTR's,

balance,and coordination

what are the NCCN recommendations for screening

All cancer patients who are at an increased risk for
bone loss due to therapy and/or age
Females > 65 and males > 70
Screening includes bone mineral density testing

r/f for bone health

high-dose/prolonged steroid use,
sedentary lifestyle, advanced age, hypo-estrogenic
state, hypogonadism, oophorectomy or orichectomy

cancer: warning signs:

change in bowel or bladder rhabits

a sore that does not heal

unusual bleeding or discharge

thickening or lump in a breast or elsewhere

indigestion or difficulty swallowing

obvious change in a wart or mole

nagging cough or hoarseness

additional cancer warning signs

bone pain

unexplained weight loss

night pain

first signs of leukemia: SOB, pallor, petechiae, bone pain fatigue