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KIN235 - Cancer

Terms in this set (83)

Cancer
Unregulated multiplication of cells in the body; 200+ diseases
Tumor
A mass of abnormal cells (usually millions of cells)
Benign tumor
Tumor whose cells do not spread to other parts of the body, localized
Malignant tumor
Tumor whose cells spread throughout the body; multiply rapidly, altered shapes and surfaces of cells, some altered genes
Metastasis
The process by which cancer cells spread throughout the body
- New tumors in different organs usually grow at an even more accelerated rate compared to the original tumor
- Cause of death is due to disruption of the vital body functions
4 categories of cancer (all cancer within one of these 4 categories)
1. Carcinoma
2. Leukemia
3. Lymphoma
4. Sarcoma
1/2 of all human cancer originate in one of four regions:
1. Lung
2. Breast
3. Prostate
4. Colon
How many stages of cancer
4
Stage I of cancer
Cancer cells (in situ) can be distinguished from normal cells, removal of tumor = cure
- Best case
Stage II of cancer
Cancer cells have begun to metastasize, spread to lymph nodes (removal)
Stage III of cancer
Cancer cells have spread throughout the body, tumors may have begun to grow in other organs
Stage IV of cancer
Terminal stage, tumors throughout body and are resistant to treatment
- Worst case
Lymph nodes
Regulate fluid control (swelling and bodily fluids around your body)
Lymphedema
A lymphatic condition that is specific to one area
Which stage is bone cancer probably in?
Stage 3
Top hat question: Betty has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, the cancer has spread to her right lymph nodes in her axilla. Other organs have been found not to have cancer. Which stage is this cancer given?
Stage 2 because in lymph nodes
Causes of cancer
- Cancer is a GENETIC disease since it changes genes, but is not an INHERITED disease (usually not passed on)
- Discovered this through WW2 study on identical twins (share same genes)
Cancer susceptible genes
Gene responsible for familial breast cancer and genes that cause susceptibility to colon cancer, increase the risk of a person developing cancer in his or her lifetime
Specific genes for breast and ovarian cancer
BRCA 1 and BRCA 2
Specific genes for colon & rectal cancer
APC, MSH2 & MLH1
Ionizing radiation
Radiation (x-rays, UV light and radioactivity) can damage cells and cause cancer
Most common source of environmental causes of cancer in nature
UV sunlight (80% lifetime exposure by 20 years)
Form of x-ray to be worried about
CT scans suspected risk
- Cost of equipment to hospital may contribute to over utilization
- Depends on area of body scanned
Tumor viruses
Viruses that infect cells, change their growth properties and cause cancer
Tumor viruses include:
Hepatitis B & C, papillomavirus, Epstein Barr, HIV, H Pylori
Where does Hepatitis B & C affect
Liver (link to liver cancer)
Where does (HPV) papillomavirus affect
Cervical/genital
Where does Epstein Barr affect
Nose and pharynx
Where does HIV affect
Kaposi's sarcoma
Where does H Pylori affect
Gastric/lymphoma/possibly pancreatic
- Big in seafood or uncooked food
Chemical carcinogen
Chemical that damages cells & causes cancer
ie. disel exhaust --> link to lung caner: railroad and trucker operators, miners
and
mineral oils --> skin cancer: machinery oils
Mesothelioma
Form of lung cancer caused by asbestos
How many people diagnosed with cancer in US?
Over 21 million
What percent of adults diagnosed in their lifetime with cancer?
8%
In 2014, cancer was the second cause of death with just under how many deaths?
600,000 deaths
Which cancer do you suspect is the number one killer in men and women?
Lung cancer
Top 10 cancers by rates of cancer deaths (KNOW THE TOP FOUR)
1. Lung and bronchus
2. Breast (female)
3. Prostate
4. Colon and rectume
SOB
shortness of breath
What is the leading killer of men and women
Lung cancer
- Only 14% live five years post diagnosis
Do more women die from lung cancer or breast cancer a year?
Lung cancer
Signs and symptoms of lung cancer
Cough, chest pain, SOB, wheezing, coughing up blood, fatigue and weight loss
Highest risk people for lung cancer
African Americans and Native Hawaiian when comparing to Caucasians, Japanese Americans, and Latin Americans who smoke low amount daily
Who in the US have the highest rates of lung cancer?
African American men
Number one cause of lung cancer
Smoking
Smokers who start at an early age are how much more at risk
10-20x at risk compared to those who do not smoke to develop cancer later in life
Yearly screening recommended for who?
Heavy smokers (or have quit in last 15 years), history of smoking and are between the ages of 55-80
- Over 81 years old stop screening (because what's the point) or smoke free for 15 years
- Tests have a lot of false positives
How many times as many cases of breast cancer compared to lung
2 times, but less deaths
Mammograms
X-ray picture used to detect tumors in breasts
- Best way right now to combat cancer
- Old recommendation all over 40 should routinely get it
- New: women under should consult with physician about frequency 40-49 years; instead all women over 50 every 2 years (worried about exposure to x-rays; this is why self-exams are important)
Number 2 killer in women after lung cancer
Breast cancer
Most breast cancer detection from what?
Self-examinations
Breast cancer diagnostic tests
Mammogram, Breast MRI (high risk), Breast US (ultrasound), genetic screening
Ultrasound given to who
At risk , young population of females
- If your mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at an early age
- Not as accurate
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer
Pain in breast, lump in breast, swelling in breast, dimple in breast, nipple discharge (mucus or even blood), flaky or red skin around nipple
Increased risk factors breast cancer
- Weight
- Lack of exercise
- Mother had breast cancer before 60
- Menarche before 12
- No biological children; or late in life
- Menopause after 55
- Benign breast disease
- Dense breasts
- Radiation to chest or breasts
- Family history
- Estrogen replacement therapy after 55
- Consumer more than 3 oz alcohol day
- BRCA 1 or 2
- Hormone therapy for over 5 years
Women breast cancer survival rates
5 year survival rate Caucasians (90%) vs African American (77%)
- Unknown why; nothing to do with healthcare access
- Men can also be diagnosed
- Those diagnosed with breast cancer proven that increased survival rates with physical activity 3-5 hours of moderate walking a week
- Hispanic women dying more of breast cancer than lung cancer
Prostate cancer primarily in who
Men over 65, most cases slow growing
- 80% cases and 90% deaths are this group of people

- African American men high risk
- This is just isolated to men
Prostate cancer signs and symptoms
Difficulty urinating, night frequent urination, cannot empty bladder, pain with urinating or ejaculating, blood in urine or semen, constant low back or hip pain
Prostate cancer tests
Finger rectal exam to feel for enlargement or prostate specific antigen test (PSA)
PSA
Prostate specific antigen test (look up diagram)
Prostate cancer diagnoses and deaths in 2014 in US
172,000 diagnose and 28,000 died
Prostate cancer treatment
Radical prostatectomy (causes bowel/bladder/sexual dysfunction), "watchful waiting"
Radical prostatectomy
Might just watch it instead of doing this because other things might kill them first and because of the side effects of the procedure (sometimes they have to have bags where they cannot urinate or do bowel movements on their own and can lead to sexual problems)
Prostate cancer 2011 study
Controversial recommendation to not screen regularly for older men because something else might kill them first
Skin cancer ABCD rule
A = asymmetry
B = border irregularity
C = color
D = diameter

- Self-checks are very important
- Should get body scans because there are areas you can't see
- Moles on bottoms of hands and feet are at an increased risk to be malignant
Skin fancer up how much since 1930
20 fold
Skin cancer stats
- Most common cancer for women 25-29 & 2nd most common women 30-34.
- Exposure to sunlight as children largely determines cancer risk in adulthood
In the "ABCD" rule of skin cancer, "D" stands for which of the following?
Diameter
2014 skin cancer US
76,000 new diagnosis; over 9,000 deaths from melanomas
Skin cancer more common in men or women?
Men
- Men spend more time outside
- Women take care of skin with lotions
Melanoma
Particularly dangerous form of skin cancer
Basal cell carcinoma
Form of skin cancer that usually can be removed surgically
Squamous cell carcinoma
Cancer of top layer of skin, most curable if removed early
- Dark skinned individuals more than 500 xs less likely than fair skinned
Skin cancer recommendations
- Wear protective clothing
- Avoid sun during peak times of exposure 10am-3pm
- Apply sunscreen regularly with SPF 15+
> Minimum reapply every 2 hours of exposure
> More if sweat, water contact
Colon cancer
2rd leading cancer causes death among men & women
Colon cancer affecting men vs. women
Affects men & women equally 51,000 deaths/year in US
- Rarely diagnosed less than 40 years old, more frequent over 50 years old
Colon cancer tests
Blood, sigmoidoscopy, & colonoscopy
Colonoscopy death
About 1/10,000 cases
- Death 1.8/10,000 for colon cancer

So decision for colonoscopy is not an easy decision
Cancer treatments
1. Radiation therapy
2. Chemotherapy
3. Surgery
4. Hormonal therapy
5. Biological therapy
Radiation therapy
High energy radiation to kill and treat cancer cells kill normal cells as well, regulated amount of treatment
Chemotherapy
Use toxic chemicals to kill and treat cancer cells kill normal cells as well, regulated amount of treatment
Hormonal therapy
Blocks hormones some cancers need to grow
Biological therapy
To aid immune system in combating cancer
Childhood cancers
- 20,000 younger than 21 years diagnosed with cancer each year
- 8-% cured and live to adulthood
- Study published in 2007, due to aggressive treatments serious problems later such as musculoskeletal disorders, heart disease, cancer, and other disease cause premature death studies from 1970-1986
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