can be due to obstruction or pressure

can impair function of blood cells

ectopic sites with excess hormone production

cause excessive secretion of cortisone

major concern of clients and families associated with cancer

body tries to respond and destroy neoplasm

warning signs of cancer

physical assessment

laboratory tests

lab test for prostate cancer

lab test for colon cancer

lab test for bone metastasis

prevention of cancer

about reducing the risks of disease through health promotion and risk reduction strategies.

involves screening and early detection activities that seek to identify precancerous lesions and early-stage cancer in individuals who lack signs and symptoms of cancer

efforts focus on monitoring for and preventing recurrence of the primary cancer as well as screening for the development of second malignancies in cancer survivors.

The range of possible treatment goals includes

a complete eradication of malignant disease

which includes prolonged survival and containment of cancer cell growth

which involves relief of symptoms associated with the disease and improvement of quality of life

•is the oldest form of local cancer treatment & in the early days it was the only effective method of cancer diagnosis. • Still provides the best chance of cure for most patients with solid tumors

uses of surgery

types of surgery

Is a local treatment modality for cancer and it is the destruction of cancer cells by ionizing radiation •Purpose: is to destroy malignant cells which are more sensitive to radiation than are normal cells without permanent damage to adjacent body tissues

with or without chemotherapy, is used to reduce tumor size in order to facilitate surgical resection.

is used to relieve the symptoms of locally advanced or metastatic disease, especially when the cancer has spread to the brain, bone, or soft tissue, or to treat oncologic emergencies, such as superior vena cava syndrome, bronchial airway obstruction, or spinal cord compression.

radiation therapy is used in two different ways

types of radiation therapy

This is administered through a high – energy X-ray or gamma x-ray machine* •The major advantage of high-energy radiation is its skin – sparing effect.*

is the most commonly used form of radiation therapy

Uses CT or MRI scans to create a 3-D picture of the tumor. •Beams are precisely directed to avoid radiating normal tissue

A specialized form of 3D-CRT •Radiation is broken into many “beamlets” and the intensity of each can be adjusted individually

Uses protons rather than x-rays to treat certain types of cancer. •Allows doctors to better focus the dose on the tumor with the potential to reduce the dose to nearby healthy tissue

A specialized form of radiation therapy that can be used to treat certain tumors that are very difficult to kill using conventional radiation therapy

This technique allows the radiation oncologist to precisely focus beams of radiation to destroy certain tumors, sometimes in only one treatment

is a non-surgical radiation therapy used to treat functional abnormalities and small tumors of the brain. •It can deliver precisely-targeted radiation in fewer high-dose treatments than traditional therapy, which can help preserve healthy tissue

Places radioactive material into tumor or surrounding tissue •Also called Brachytherapy – brachy Greek for “short distance” •Radiation sources placed close to the tumor so large doses can hit the cancer cells

major types of internal radiation therapy

the radioisotope is placed within or near the tumor.* - is used for both intracavitary and interstitial therapy

is used to treat cancers of the uterus and cervix. The radioisotope is placed in the body cavity, generally for 24 to 72 hrs

the radioisotope is placed in needles, beads, seeds, ribbons, or catheters, which are then implanted directly into the tumor

The radioisotopes may be administered intravenously, orally or by instillation directly into the body cavity.

PRINCIPLES OF RADIATION PROTECTION

Maintain a distance of at least —— when not performing nursing procedures in radiation protection

Staff members caring for the client with internal RT should wear ———- while in the client’s room.

side effects of radiation therapy

specialized types of external beam radiation therapy