Cellular Regulation and Cancer Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering cellular regulation, cancer classifications, prevention strategies, treatment-specific terms, and palliative versus hospice care definitions.

Benign

Not cancerous; tumors that may grow but are unable to spread to other organs or body parts.

Malignant

Having cells or processes that are characteristic of cancer.

Carcinoma/Adenocarcinoma

Cancer that originates in epithelial tissue.

Sarcoma

Cancer that originates in connective tissue.

Lymphoma

Cancer that originates in lymphoid tissue.

Leukemia

Cancer that originates in blood forming tissue, including white blood cells ($WBC's$) and platelets.

Multiple Myeloma

Cancer that originates in plasma cells.

Primary Prevention

Reducing the risk of disease through health promotion and risk reduction strategies such as vaccination and smoking cessation.

Secondary Prevention

Involves screening and early detection activities to identify precancerous lesions and early stage cancer in individuals without symptoms.

Tertiary Prevention

Focuses on monitoring for and preventing recurrence of the primary cancer and screening for second malignancies in survivors.

CAUTION

An acronym for American Cancer Society warning signs: Change in bowel/bladder, A sore that does not heal, Unusual bleeding, Thickening/lump, Indigestion, Obvious change in wart/mole, Nagging cough.

Alopecia

Temporary hair loss, a side effect of radiation and chemotherapy; management involves wigs, scarves, and cool caps.

Leukopenia

A decrease in the number of white blood cells ($WBCs$).

Thrombocytopenia

A decrease in platelets, which creates a risk of bleeding.

Intrathecal Route

Chemotherapy administration directly into the cerebral spinal fluid.

Intravesical Route

Chemotherapy administration instilled into the bladder to treat bladder cancer.

Extravasation

The leakage of intravenous chemotherapy agents into surrounding tissues; prevented by use of long-term venous access devices.

Neutropenic Precautions

Measures implemented to prevent infection in patients with a normal range of neutrophils between $2,500$ and $7,000$, including avoiding fresh flowers and raw produce.

Small Cell Lung Cancer

A major category of lung cancer accounting for approximately $13\%$ of cases; it grows and metastasizes too rapidly for surgery.

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer ($NSCLC$)

A major category accounting for $84\%$ of lung tumors; surgery ($Thoracotomy$) is used if it is localized to one lung.

Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy

A diagnostic procedure involving a flexible endoscope inserted into the airways to visualize the lungs and passages.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen ($CEA$)

A laboratory tumor marker used in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Wound Dehiscence

A postoperative complication where the edges of a surgical wound no longer meet.

Palliative Care

Care for chronic or progressive illness that manages symptoms while the patient may still receive curative or aggressive treatments.

Hospice Care

Care focused on comfort for patients with a life expectancy of $6$ months or less, excluding curative treatment.