CANCER/NEO-PLASM/NEW GROWTH
- Cancer is also called neoplasm
- Cancer is also defined as abnormal growth in the tissue either slow (benign) & or fast (malignant)
- Cancer is the new growth, a tumor which is either cancerous or non-cancerous
- Abnormal mass that is referred as a neoplasm or new growth. The cells of the neoplasm serve the no useful purpose and use nutrients and oxygen
- Nursing involvement in the care of the patient education, assessment, monitoring, and treatment support and require knowledge of both the bio-medical and physiological components of the cancerous care.
Difference between the Benign & Malignant
|
Benign |
Malignant |
1 |
Increase in size slowly |
Increases in size rapidly |
2 |
Growth is limited as a capsule |
Growth is unlimited |
|
shaped |
|
3 |
Do not spread towards neighboring |
Spread towards neighboring tissue or |
|
tissue or organ |
organ |
4 |
Do not spread to a lymphatic system |
Spread to a lymphatic system |
5 |
No tendency to re-occur, even after |
Tendency to re-occur, even after |
|
surgery |
surgery |
6 |
Benign is the opposite of the |
Malignant is the opposite of the Benign |
|
malignant |
|
7 |
Benign may re-occur if surgeon |
Malignant possess the property of the |
|
can’t get successive result |
anaplasia |
8 |
It can be treated with the medicines |
It cannot be treated with the medicines |
Anaplasia= loss of distinctive characteristics of a cell associated with proliferate activity as in cancer.
Metastasis (Secondary Malignant)
- Secondary malignant is also called Metastasis
- Secondary Malignant is defined as the transfer of a disease from one part of the organ to the part throughout the blood vessels and lymph.
- Metastasis may occurs due to the primary Malignant
No: |
Tissue types |
Benign |
Malignant |
A. |
Epithelial |
|
|
|
i |
Surface skin |
Popilloma |
Squamous cell carcinoma |
ii |
Glandular |
Adenoma |
Adino-carcinoma |
i |
Fibrous |
Fibroma |
Fibro-carcinoma |
ii |
Adipose |
Lipoma |
Lipo-carcinoma |
iii |
Cartilage |
Chondroma |
Chondro-carcinoma |
iv |
Bone |
Oestoma |
Oesteo-carcinoma |
Common sites of Metastasis are lungs, liver, brain and bone.
- Connective
- Muscular
i |
Smooth |
Leiomyoma |
Leiomyo-sarcoma |
ii |
Striated |
Rhambdomyoma |
Rhabdo-sarcoma |
- Nerve
i |
Nerve |
Neuroma |
Neuro-blastoma |
ii |
Gliel |
Glioma |
Glio-blastoma |
iii |
Nerve sheath |
Neurilemmoma |
Neirilemmal-sarcoma |
iv |
Menings |
Meningioma |
Meningeal-sarcoma |
- Hematological
i |
Granulocytic |
Myelocytic leukemia |
ii |
Erythrocytic |
Erythrocytic leukemia |
iii |
Lymphocytic |
Lymphocytic leukemia |
iv |
Monocytic |
Monocytic leukemia |
v |
Plasma cell |
Multiple myeloma |
- Endothelial
i |
Blood vessel |
Hemangioma |
Hemangio-sarcoma |
ii |
Lymph vessel |
Lymphangioma |
Lymphagio-sarcoma |
iii |
Lymph tissue |
Lymphogioma |
Lympho-sarcoma |
Treatment of the neo-plasm:
At present three methods have proved their values in the treatment of the neo-plasm
- Chemo-therapy
- Radio-therapy
- Surgery
The hope for cure of neo-plasm especially for malignant depends on the chemotherapy. In general, it can be said that as yet no drugs have been discovered to cure malignant tumor however, cancer chemotherapy may or may not offer some help to patients for home surgery and radiation are no longer beneficial. Chemotherapeutic agents at the time of surgery may reduce or slow up the appearance of secondary growth. In some patients pain and other symptoms are relieved for the time.
Chemotherapeutic agents are especially used for the lymphomea and leukemia, diffuse tumor usually not amenable to surgical therapy.
The rational for administrating chemotherapeutic drug is that they are capable and destroying young rapidly multiplying cells. It is believed that these drugs interfere with the manufacturing of nucleic acid that is necessary for the building of genetic structures in the cells. As a result cellular growth and building reproduction inhabited.
Specific agents used as chemotherapy
- Poly-functional alkyl ting agents:
These poison destroy both cells either tumor cells or normal. It is believed that tumor cells are more sensitive to toxicity than normal cells, as a result cell growth and division is hindered.
The chief disadvantage of most of these drugs is destructive effect on the bone marrow, which is the body’s chief source of new born blood cells other side effect is vomiting, nausea and Stomatitis.
- Antimetabolytes:
e.g.: Folic acid, purine antagonistic
These are the synthetic substance, similar to those that nourish the normal cells during its growth and development.
- Steroids compounds:
- ACTH: control on cortisol (kidney).
- Castration: control on secretion on prostate gland.
These drugs changes the endocrine environment because tumor arising in organs usually under hormonal influences such as prostate and breast.
The patient receiving the type of therapy will be need to be observed by toxicity signs such as fluid retention, increases libido (the vital force or impulse which brings about purposeful action) and hirutism (excessive hair ness) as well as nausea and vomiting.
- Miscellaneous drugs:
Antibiotics drugs such as Actynomycin-D, Mytomycin-C and Streptomycin.
Note:
None of above drug can cure Malignancy. They are efforts to make the physiology of the host cells less favorable for the growth of the cancer.
These drugs may be given orally, IV, IM depending on the drug and Carcinoma.
Side effects of the chemotherapeutic drugs:
- Stomatitis
- Neuro toxicity
- Hepatic toxicity
- Ocular toxicity
- Diarrhea
- Nephro toxicity
- Bladder toxicity
- Oto toxicity
- Endocrinal changes
- Pulmonary toxicity
- Cardio toxicity
General Nursing & Medical care of the onco-patient (Cancerous-patient):
- To control the Carcinoma growth by surgery, radiation and chemotherapy
- Combats on local and systemic infection
- Correct existing enema and electrolytic imbalance
- Give the patient psychological support by the explaining the treatment by re-assurance, listen and observe the patient anxiety
- Administrator vitamin-B as prescribed and blood transmission is needed
- Give sedatives, anti-emetics, anti-histamines (allergic)
- Offer small frequent feeding of high caloric
- Increase fluid intake
- Report patient’s reaction response
- Control on diarrhea
- Remove constipation by giving low residue or balanced diet
- Give enema if required as suppository if needed
- Take care of skin especially of perineal area
- Apply oil or cream to radiation site.
- Protect skin from sun-light, heat, injury and tight clothing
- Advice for blood CP
- Protect the patient from the infection
- Evaluate the quality, intensity duration of pain as well as patient response to pain
- Promote the general comfort of patient by turning, moving and rest
- Administer drug as prescribed
- Use specific drug for nausea and vomiting
- Apply cold or hot compression if needed
- Apply local anesthetic to relieve the pain
- Prepare for alcohol injection to block narrow path
- Control on the odor and remove odor
- Encourage for good personal hygiene
- Give normal saline irrigation to external areas if required
- If administrator prescribed vaginal irrigation, when discharge of vaginal secretion of the patient
- Keep perineal area shaved
- Observe for increasing pulse rate
- Observe the amount and color of the blood if bleeding
- Apply digital pressure if site is accessible
- Apply vaginal or rectum packing if required
- Care the bladder frequently and incontinence
- Maintain I/O chart
- Insert catheter if all other measures fails
- Encourage patient for fluid & regular meal for constipation
- Reduce edema by ROM (range of motion)
- Evaluate edematic extremity
- Prevent the patient from bed sore by providing stimulation circulation
- Assess the patient to cope with his/her situation
- Develop a supportive relationship with patient (Psychotherapy)
- Encourage the patient to make decision
- Listen the patient attentively and answer the patient frequently and politely
- Provide a daily schedule to the patient
- Encourage the patient to be active
- Maintain the patient optimal physical, mentally and emotionally satisfaction
- Maintain a cheerful and optimistic attitude
- Encourage for verbalization
- Do little more for the patient
- Include the family in the patient’s care.
Side effects of the chemotherapeutic drugs:
- Stomatitis
- Neuro-toxicity
- Hepatic-toxicity
- Ocular toxicity
- Diarrhea
- Nephro toxicity
- Bladder toxicity
- Oto toxicity
- Hormonal changes
- Pulmonary toxicity
- Cardio toxicity
Cases of Neoplasm as re Registered in United Kingdom in 1985: |
|
|
MALE |
|
|
FEMALE. |
|
|
|
Lung |
24% |
|
Lung |
19% |
|
Skin |
12% |
|
Skin |
09% |
|
Prostate |
09% |
|
Cervix |
03% |
|
Bladder |
06% |
|
Ovary |
04% |
|
Colon |
06% |
|
Colon |
07% |
|
Stomach |
06% |
|
Stomach |
04% |
|
Rectum |
05% |
|
Rectum |
03% |
|
Pancreas |
03% |
|
Pancreas |
02% |
|
Esophagus |
02% |
|
Breast |
19% |
|
Leukemia |
02% |
|
Uterus |
03% |
|
Others |
25% |
|
Other |
37% |
- Esophageal Carcinoma Definition:
Carcinoma of the esophagus is unique in its geographic distribution. Both benign & malignant tumor occurs in the esophagus. Benign tumor are usually leimyomas, and extremely rare & usually asymptomatic. They require no intervention unless symptoms necessitate local excision. Malignant tumors of the esophagus are not common but they assume increased importance because of their virulence.
Location of esophagus:
Esophagus lies behind the trachea to which it adopts and in front of the vertebral column. Passing through the thorax it pierces the diaphragm to enter in abdomen where it communicates with the stomach. Its size is 9-10 inches.
Causes:
© Exact cause is idiopathic,
© Pre-disposing factors are: © Taking alcohol
© Usage of tobacco and opium © Excessive usage of beverages
© Induced caustic esophagus sphincter © Ultra-violet radiations
- Tumor
- Dysphagia
- Odynophagia (typically)
- Heart burn
- Anorexia
- Weight loss
- Feeling mass in throat
- Painful swallowing
- Regurgitation
- Hiccup
- Chest pain
- Supera-clavicular lymphodenopathy
Complication:
- Hemorrhage
- Esophageal perforation
- Esophageal obstruction
Investigations:
- Chest X-ray
- CT scan
- Barium esophagography
- Bronchoscopy
- Biopsy
- MRI
- Blood CP
Medical treatment:
- Poly-functional alkyl ting agents:
- Antimetabolytes:
- e.g.: Folic acid, purine antagonistic
- ACTH
- Castration
- Miscellaneous drugs:
- Antibiotics drugs such as Actinomycin-D, Mytomycin
Surgical treatment:
- Surgical, the resection of the esophagus provides the most rapid durable relief of the Dysphagia, the standard surgical Management including partial removal of the esophagus.
- Esophagectomy
- Esophagogastrotomy
- Esophagoenterostomy
Radio-therapy:
- The radiotherapy may be given for a short time to provide relief to pain. Nursing Management:
- Please revise the general Nursing Management of the Neoplasm.