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Types of Cancer

Adult Nursing NCLEX Review Cancer, Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, and Oncological Emergencies Types of Cancer

Cancer Staging

Determines severity of cancer
Helps determine treatment
Helps determine metastasis
stage 0 – in situ
stage 1 – small- no metastasis
stage 2 – has grown but no metastasis
stage 3 – the cancer is larger. Metastasis to surrounding tissues/lymph
stage 4 – Metastatic cancer to at least one other organ.

Cervical Cancer

Painless vaginal post-menstrual or postcoital bleeding (NCLEX)
Foul-smelling or serosanguineous vaginal discharge
Dysuria
Hematuria
Cytological changes on Pap test

Cervical Cancer Risk Factors

Infection with HPV strains 16 & 18
History of STI’s
Early onset of sexual activity (before age 17).
Multiple sex partners
Smoking, both passive and active
Oral Contraceptives
Immunosuppression
Low socioeconomic status
Unprotected sex
Can be prevented with Vaccine: GARDASIL 9

Cervical Cancer Treatment

Intracavitary radiation. Empty bowel prior to insertion to prevent a position change of the radioactive implant that could occur during bowel movements (See radiation lesson).
SMALL AMOUNT OF VAGINAL BLEEDING EXPECTED post insertion.
Activity: BEDREST

Kaposi's Sarcoma

Skin cancer in AIDS clients that appears as brown-red/bluish skin lessions. Wear gloves and gown when in contact with lesions if they have drainage.

Lung Cancer

Cigarette smoking highest risk factor. Also occupational hazards such as pollutants.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung rarely metastasizes and it is slow-growing. It has good prognosis.

Lung Cancer: Symptoms

Symptoms: Shortness of breath and Recurrent Pleural Effusions.
Earliest symptom: Persistent cough.
Biopsy: Confirms lung cancer (and all other cancers).

Lung Cancer: Treatment

Treatment: surgical removal of tumor and as little surrounding tissue as possible, chemotherapy and radiation
Best survival: Early detection.
Post-surgery goal: maintain oxygenation
Priority for terminal lung cancer (or any terminal cancer): Pain management/Comfort

Colon Cancer

Risk factor: diet, smoking, alcohol, obesity, ulcerative colitis.
Symptoms: changes in bowel habits, anorexia, abdominal distention, or weight loss. Rectal bleeding, ribbon-shaped stools, abdominal cramping.

Colon Cancer

Diagnosis: Colonoscopy
Prevention: High fiber, low fat (Fat should be only 20-25% of diet), low meat diet.
Detection: 45 years or older do a yearly fecal occult blood test. Colonoscopy every 5 years. Remember that detection is not prevention.
Treatment: Radiation to reduce size of tumor followed by chemotherapy.

Gastric Cancer

Symptom: abdominal fullness
Other signs and symptoms: weight loss, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, fullness after a meal.
Diagnostic procedure: endoscopy with biopsy.
Nursing Priority: Nutrition
Gastrectomy: Client will need TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition)

Liver Cancer

Alcohol, hepatitis B & C, obesity, smoking
Symptoms: Ascites, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, enlarged liver, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, & abdominal pain
Diagnosis: CT scan to identify tumors, but definitive diagnosis is liver biopsy.

Thyroid Cancer Cancer

Symptoms: Thyroid Nodule, Hoarseness or Voice Changes, dysphagia, pain in throat or neck, enlarged lymph nodes, and thyroid dysfunction.
Treatment: Brachytherapy which is radioactive iodine that is ingested or injected to destroy cancer. Client’s secretions are radioactive. Use private bathroom, stay away from children.

Breast Cancer

Warnings: lumps, thickening, pulling of the nipple, redness/flaking of nipple.
Self-exam: Use pads of middle 3 fingers, cover breasts and armpit. Use light, medium and deep pressure. Squeeze nipple for discharge.
Clients with ovarian cancer have increased risk of breast cancer.
Post-mastectomy, elevate the affected arm above the heart to prevent lymphedema.
No IV’s, BPs, or lab draws on affected arm.

Prostate Cancer

Monitor Prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The higher the PSA, the higher the degree of cancer.
Treatment: Radical prostectomy or TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate): Perform Kegel Exercises to promote continence after prostectomy.

Bladder Cancer

Painless Hematuria. Yes, painless
Treatment: Radiation implant: Monitor for signs and symptoms of cystitis (dysuria, frequency, urgency, and nocturia).
May need radical cystectomy and ileal conduit.
Post ileal conduit: Monitor stoma: must be red and moist. Will need appliance to collect urine.

Welcome to your Cancer types

Matching. This activity will help you remember important concepts about cancer.

Purpose of staging cancer

Barrett's esophagitis

Lung sounds in pleural effusion

How to increase survival of cancer (e.g. lung)

Concerning symptom in lung cancer

Diagnostic test for colon cancer

Risk cancer for colon cancer

Lung Cancer

Priority in terminal cancer

Procedure to confirm lung cancer

Stage 4 Cancer

Skin Cancer in AIDS

Stage 0 cancer

Signs of thrombocytopenia

Priority concern in gastric cancer

Symptom of colon cancer

Nutrition

Esophageal Cancer due to Gastric reflux

Highest risk factor is cigarette smoking

Early detection

Metastatic cancer to at least one organ

Hematuria, Melena, Epistaxis, ecchymosis, petichiae

Colonoscopy with biopsy

Recurrent pleural effusions

Changes in bowel habits

determine severity, metastasis and treatment

Ulcerative colitis

Biopsy

in situ

Diminished breath sounds

Pain management

Kaposi's Sarcoma

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