Cancer
1. Carcinogenesis / Oncogenesis = Cancer Development
2. Malignant tumors: Move from their original location & spread to other tissues or organs
3. Benign Tumors: Noncancerous tumors that do not metastasize -- Benign can press on healthy organs and tissues as tumors grow, but do not invade other tissues.
4. Well- Differentiated: The cells look much like normal cells & tend to grow slowly
5. Undifferentiated (Poorly differentiated): Means the cells do not look like normal cells and tend to grow quickly and spread
2 Major Categories
Solid: Associated with the organs from which they develop such as breast cancer or lung cancer and can occur in different places
Hematologic: Originate from blood cell forming tissues: such as leukemias, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma
Malignant transformation occurs through:
Metastasis Routes Occurs Through
Initiation
Local Seeding: Distribution of shed cancer cells occurs in the local area of the primary tumor
Promotion
Progression
Bloodborne Spread: Tumor cells enter the blood, which is the most common cause of cancer spread
Metastasis: Invade surrounding tissues & spread to other areas of the body through lymph nodes & blood vessels
Lymphatic Spread: Primary sites rich in lymphatics are more susceptible to early metastatic spread
Metastasis is diagnosed when there is onset of new findings
Grading: The cellular aspects of the cancer
GX: Grade cannot be determined
and indicates the growth rate and spread of the tumor
G1: Tumor cells are well differentiated
Ploidy: Number set of chromosomes
G2: Tumor cells are moderately differentiated
Staging: Classifies the severity and clinical aspects of the cancer and degree of metastasis at diagnosis
G3: Tumor cells are poorly differentiated but the tissue of origin can be established
:Tumor cells: Poorly differentiated
Determination of the tissues of origin is
difficult.
Cancer Etiology and Genetic Risk: See ATI Pg 592!
Oncogene activation: a gene which in certain circumstances can transform a cell into a tumor cell.
Chemical: Exposure to chemicals, tobacco, alcohol, air pollution
Physical: Poverty, obesity, chronic GERD, chronic disease
Viral: Hep B & Hep C - infection with T- cells
Dietary factors: Diet high in fat, red or processed meat, preservatives, additives, and low in fiber
Personal factors: Immune function: increase risk for cancer in pts who are immunosuppressed
o Age: Highest incidence of cancer occurs in older adults
o Genetic Risk: Inherited
What change do you see in the normal function if you have this disease? Warning Signs of Cancer: C-A-U-T-I-O-N:
C: Change in bowel or bladder habits
A: Any sore that does not heal
U: Unusual bleeding or discharge T: Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
I: Indigestion
O: Obvious change in wart or mole N: Nagging cough or hoarseness
Radiation Therapy: Destroys cancer cells with minimal damaging effects of surrounding normal cells
Side effects 1.) Dysgeusia: Altered Taste
2.) Fatigue
3.) Tissue fibrosis/scarring
4.) Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)
5.) Wet Reaction: skin becomes dry or develops blisters that may break, causing pain
and the potential for infection
If Dry: keep clean and lubricated
If