Oncology Nursing Points

Drugs used to kill cancer cells or stop their growth.

Giving chemotherapy drugs to a patient safely. Includes patient and staff safety.

Low neutrophil count (a type of white blood cell), causing decreased immunity.

Special safety measures taken to prevent infection, protect the patient & staff from exposure, and manage side effects (like low blood counts).

Weakened immune system due to treatment (such as chemo).

A procedure to cure leukemia by replacing damaged bone marrow with healthy cells, often after high dose chemo to destroy existing marrow.

Chemotherapy given after surgery or radiation to kill any remaining cancer cells.

Treatment given before surgery or radiation, to shrink the tumor.

A 'hot' chemotherapy wash of the abdomen, to treat cancers of the abdomen or pelvis.

Important considerations for both the patient and staff to have safe chemo procedures.

A cancer treatment that uses high-energy particles, beams, or waves to destroy cancer cells.

Dividing a total radiation dose into smaller, daily treatments to allow healthy cells to recover.

Radiation side effects that occur within about two weeks of treatment and generally resolve within 6 months.

Radiation side effects that appear more than 6 months after treatment and possibly last permanently

A type of cancer that affects blood cells, specifically white blood cells (WBCs).

A type of leukemia most common in children.

A specific genetic abnormality frequently found in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML).

Infection control measures taken for patients with low neutrophil counts.

Cancer of the lymphatic system, affecting lymphocytes.

A type of lymphoma characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells.

The most common type of Lymphoma characterized by the absence of Reed-Sternberg cells.

Cancer that starts in the lungs.

An aggressive type of lung cancer that spreads quickly.

The most common type of lung cancer.

Cancer affecting the ovaries or fallopian tubes. It often has non-specific symptoms and frequently involves abdominal metastases. It's more common in older women and is linked to hormone function.

Three main types: epithelial (most common), germ cell (related to egg production), and stromal (hormone-producing).

Non-specific symptoms include abdominal pain, fatigue, urination difficulty, bloating, constipation, reflux, and early fullness.

Diagnosis often uses radiology (ultrasound, CT scans, mammograms) and an ovarian biopsy. A biopsy may require oophorectomy.

Treatment often involves surgery (radical hysterectomy and oophorectomy in early stage) and chemotherapy. Early diagnosis is important for effective therapies.

Cancer of the cervix, often linked to HPV (Human Papillomavirus). Preventable with vaccination (recommended for younger women & men).

Treatable, cure depending on how far it has spread. Better survival rates if detected early (stage 1 & 2).

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is linked to cervical cancer risks, making vaccination an essential preventative measure.

Genes like BRCA-1 and BRCA-2, which are also linked to breast cancer, increase ovarian cancer risk. Genetic counseling may be beneficial.

A tumor marker associated with Female reproductive cancers. However, it doesn't distinguish between types of cancer.

Cancer that originates within bone tissue, affecting any age group.

Spread of bone cancer to other parts of the body, most commonly the lungs.

A tumor developing within bone or connective tissue.

A bone cancer arising in osteoblasts, usually affecting children and young adults.

A bone cancer originating in cartilage, predominantly seen in adults.

Bone or soft tissue cancer that often spreads, common in teenagers.

Cancer development after large doses of radiation treatment, due to cell changes.

Increased risk of bone cancer with Paget's disease, due to increased osteoblast activity and mutation.

A disease where cancerous cells develop in the liver, impeding its functions and blood flow.

The liver performs vital roles like synthesizing clotting factors, metabolizing substances, and producing proteins.

The most common type of liver cancer that originates within the liver itself.

Chronic liver disease causing scarring and damage, which greatly raises the risk of liver cancer.

Pain often felt in the right upper abdomen or radiating to the shoulder due to an enlarged liver.

Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes due to bilirubin buildup from blocked bile flow.

Excess fluid buildup in the body due to high pressure in the portal vein, sodium retention, and reduced albumin production.

Fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, causing pressure and discomfort.

Altered brain function due to built-up toxins from poor liver detoxification.

Bleeding from enlarged veins in the esophagus or stomach due to high portal pressure and impaired clotting.

Surgical options for treating liver cancer, but many are not eligible due to advanced disease.

A minimally invasive procedure delivering chemotherapy and blockage agents to the tumor via the arteries.

Focus on improving quality of life and managing symptoms, not necessarily curing the disease.

Cancer developing in the stomach lining, affecting digestion and nutrient absorption.

The stomach consists of different parts (cardia, fundus, body, antrum, pylorus) and layers (mucosa, submucosa, muscle, serosa).

An overgrowth of abnormal cells in the bladder, often recurring and treated as a chronic condition.

A system used to classify bladder cancer based on Tumor size, lymph Node involvement, and Metastasis.

The most common type of bladder cancer, starting in the cells lining the bladder.

A type of bladder cancer formed from chronic irritation, like from catheters or infections.

Cancer that grows into deeper layers of the bladder, making it harder to treat.

Cancer confined to the inner layer of the bladder, the transitional epithelium.

Factors increasing the likelihood of developing bladder cancer, including chemical exposure, genetic mutations, and chronic irritation.

Blood in the urine, often the first sign of bladder cancer.

A procedure where a camera is inserted through the urethra to visualize the bladder and take biopsies.

Transurethral resection of bladder tumor - a surgical procedure to remove a tumor from the bladder through the urethra.

Surgical removal of the bladder.

A surgical procedure that creates a stoma on the abdomen for constant urine release.

A new bladder created from intestines, allowing urine to pass through the urethra.

Treatment delivered directly into the bladder through a catheter, targeting cancer cells.

Elevated pressure inside the skull, often caused by brain tumors or blockages in CSF flow.

A surgical procedure to access the brain, often to remove a tumor.

A port inserted in the ventricles of the brain to deliver chemotherapy directly.