what is the most commonly reported symptom of cancer treatment? (points : 0.5) course hero

by Flavie Koch 6 min read

What is the cause of cancer Quizlet?

Dec 05, 2021 · bright red bleeding from the rectum. abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, or gas. continual urges to defecate despite passing stools. weakness and fatigue. unexplained weight loss. irritable bowel ...

What are the signs and symptoms of cancer?

Oct 14, 2019 · Symptoms depend on where the cancer starts and can include weight loss, fever, sweats, tiredness (fatigue), and lumps (swollen lymph nodes) under the skin in the neck, armpit, or groin. The 2 main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma (sometimes called Hodgkin disease) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Both types occur in children and adults.

Should I tell my doctor about the side effects of cancer?

The most common cause is small cell lung cancer but may also be medication-induced. Symptoms: hyponatremia and associated symptoms of headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, cerebral edema, seizures, coma, brain stem herniation, respiratory arrest, or death.

How does the body react to the presence of cancer?

Jan 24, 2022 · There are several types of vulvar cancer, but squamous cell vulvar carcinoma is most common. It accounts for more than 90% of diagnosed cases. Melanoma of the vulva is the second most common and represents about 5% of women with vulvar cancer. Other types include Paget's Disease of the vulva, vulvar adenocarcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma, but ...

What is the most commonly reported symptom of cancer?

Symptoms such as pain and fatigue represent two of the most common symptoms present in individuals undergoing cancer treatment. Fatigue remains among the most commonly reported and distressing symptom experienced by persons with cancer, as it interferes with the individual's ability to perform daily activities.

Which is most likely a cancer treatment?

Any cancer treatment can be used as a primary treatment, but the most common primary cancer treatment for the most common types of cancer is surgery. If your cancer is particularly sensitive to radiation therapy or chemotherapy, you may receive one of those therapies as your primary treatment.Jun 4, 2020

What are the signs and symptoms of cancer?

Common Signs and Symptoms of CancerPain. Bone cancer often hurts from the beginning. ... Weight loss without trying. Almost half of people who have cancer lose weight. ... Fatigue. ... Fever. ... Changes in your skin. ... Sores that don't heal. ... Cough or hoarseness that doesn't go away. ... Unusual bleeding.More items...•Mar 3, 2022

What are 3 warning signs of cancer?

Signs of CancerChange in bowel or bladder habits.A sore that does not heal.Unusual bleeding or discharge.Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere.Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.Obvious change in a wart or mole.Nagging cough or hoarseness.

What are the side effects of cancer treatment?

Side Effects of Cancer TreatmentAnemia.Appetite Loss.Bleeding and Bruising (Thrombocytopenia)Constipation.Delirium.Diarrhea.Edema (Swelling)Fatigue.More items...

What are common cancer treatments?

The most common treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Other options include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, laser, hormonal therapy, and others. Here is an overview of the different treatments for cancer and how they work. Surgery is a common treatment for many types of cancer.Sep 24, 2019

What are the 5 warning signs of cancer?

But to be safe, talk to your doctor about these five signs and symptoms.Unexplained Weight Loss. When you lose weight for no reason, call your doctor. ... Fatigue. This isn't fatigue similar to how you feel after a long day of work or play. ... Fever. ... Pain. ... Skin Changes.

What are the 8 warning signs of cancer?

Warning Signs of CancerUnexplained weight loss.Fatigue.Night sweats.Loss of appetite.New, persistent pain.Recurrent nausea or vomiting.Blood in urine.Blood in stool (either visible or detectable by special tests)More items...

What is effect of cancer?

Cancer can press on nearby nerves and cause pain and loss of function of one part of your body. Cancer that involves the brain can cause headaches and stroke-like signs and symptoms, such as weakness on one side of your body. Unusual immune system reactions to cancer.Apr 27, 2021

What are the 9 warning signs of cancer?

It might be nothing serious, but don't ignore and check with doctors.Losing weight. If you are losing weight fast, that too without trying to, be alert. ... Swelling or lump in the body. ... Persistent cough. ... Change in mole or wart. ... Blood in urine. ... Sensation of pain. ... Persistent heartburn. ... Difficulty in swallowing food.More items...•Nov 27, 2021

Is fever a symptom of cancer?

People who have cancer will often have a fever as a symptom. It's usually a sign that the cancer has spread or that it's in an advanced stage. Fever is rarely an early symptom of cancer, but it may be if a person has a blood cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma.

What are the seven warning signs of cancer caution?

CAUTION: Seven cancer warning signs you shouldn't ignoreC: Change in bowel or bladder habits. ... A: A sore that does not heal. ... U: Unusual bleeding or discharge. ... T: Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere. ... I: Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing. ... O: Obvious changes in warts or moles. ... N: Nagging cough or hoarseness.Feb 4, 2018

How do you know if you have cancer?

Some general signs and symptoms associated with, but not specific to, cancer, include: Fatigue. Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin. Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain.

What is cancer in the body?

Cancer refers to any one of a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Cancer often has the ability to spread throughout your body.

How do cancer cells know when to stop growing?

Normal cells know when to stop growing so that you have just the right number of each type of cell. Cancer cells lose the controls (tumor suppressor genes) that tell them when to stop growing. A mutation in a tumor suppressor gene allows cancer cells to continue growing and accumulating.

How does the immune system react to cancer?

In some cases the body's immune system may react to the presence of cancer by attacking healthy cells. Called paraneoplastic syndromes, these very rare reactions can lead to a variety of signs and symptoms, such as difficulty walking and seizures. Cancer that spreads.

What causes cancer cells to stop growing?

Causes. Cancer is caused by changes (mutations) to the DNA within cells. The DNA inside a cell is packaged into a large number of individual genes, each of which contains a set of instructions telling the cell what functions to perform, as well as how to grow and divide. Errors in the instructions can cause the cell to stop its normal function ...

What are the symptoms of chemical imbalance?

Signs and symptoms of chemical imbalances might include excessive thirst, frequent urination, constipation and confusion. Brain and nervous system problems. Cancer can press on nearby nerves and cause pain and loss of function of one part of your body.

How to prevent cancer?

Limit your intake of processed meats. Exercise most days of the week. Regular exercise is linked to a lower risk of cancer. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. If you haven't been exercising regularly, start out slowly and work your way up to 30 minutes or longer. Maintain a healthy weight.

What are the symptoms of cancer?

abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, or gas. continual urges to defecate despite passing stools. weakness and fatigue. unexplained weight loss. irritable bowel syndrome. iron deficiency anemia. If the cancer spreads to a new location in the body, such as the liver, it can cause additional symptoms in the new area.

What happens during chemo?

During chemotherapy, a cancer care team will administer medications that interfere with the cell division process. They achieve this by disrupting proteins or DNA to damage and kill cancer cells.

How long does colon cancer last?

Early detection and treatment are the most effective ways to improve the outlook for a person with colon cancer. Last medically reviewed on August 28, 2019.

How many people died from colon cancer in 2019?

Colon cancer is also the third most common cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. In fact, in 2019, the American Cancer Society (ACS) predict that 101,420 people in the U.S. will receive a new diagnosis of colon cancer. for colon cancer from the age of 50 years.

How many lymph nodes does stage 2 cancer have?

Stage 3: The cancer has grown through the outer layers of the colon, and it has reached one to three lymph nodes. It has not spread to distant sites, however.

What is the best treatment for colon cancer?

There is no single treatment for any cancer. The most common options for colon cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The aim of treatment will be to remove the cancer, prevent its spread, and reduce any uncomfortable symptoms.

What is the cause of colon cancer?

Causes. Outlook. Colon cancer develops when tumorous growths develop in the large intestine. It is now the third most common type of cancer in the United States. The colon, or large intestine, is where the body draws out water and salt from solid wastes. The waste then moves through the rectum and exits the body through the anus.

What is the most common cancer in childhood?

They account for about 28% of all cancers in children. The most common types in children are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). These leukemias can cause bone and joint pain, fatigue, weakness, pale skin, bleeding or bruising, fever, weight loss, and other symptoms. Acute leukemias can grow quickly, so they need to be treated (typically with chemotherapy) as soon as they are found.

What is the second most common cancer in children?

Brain and spinal cord tumors are the second most common cancers in children, making up about 26% of childhood cancers. There are many types of brain and spinal cord tumors, and the treatment and outlook for each is different. Most brain tumors in children start in the lower parts of the brain, such as the cerebellum or brain stem.

What is the most common bone cancer in teens?

Two main types of primary bone cancers occur in children: Osteosarcoma is most common in teens, and usually develops in areas where the bone is growing quickly, such as near the ends of the leg or arm bones. It often causes bone pain that gets worse at night or with activity.

What are the symptoms of lymphoma?

Symptoms depend on where the cancer starts and can include weight loss, fever, sweats, tiredness (fatigue), and lumps (swollen lymph nodes) under the skin in the neck, armpit, or groin. The 2 main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma (sometimes called Hodgkin disease) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Both types occur in children and adults.

What type of cancer is most common in children?

The types of cancers that occur most often in children are different from those seen in adults. The most common cancers of children are: Leukemia. Brain and spinal cord tumors. Neuroblastoma. Wilms tumor. Lymphoma (including both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin) Rhabdomyosarcoma.

How does chemotherapy affect cancer?

Side effects of chemotherapy are inevitable due to the nonspecific nature of cytotoxic therapy and how it simultaneously impacts healthy cells along with cancerous cells. However, not all patients respond in the same way, and not all chemotherapy agents pose the same risks. Assessment and education are the most critical components to ensuring timely recognition, intervention, and management of side effects as experienced by each patient. Specific side effects, such as nausea, can be primarily thwarted by implementing appropriate prevention strategies and medications. Oncology nurses are highly skilled in symptom management through keen assessment, monitoring, and timely intervention (Olsen et al., 2019). Table 6 provides a broad overview of some of the most common chemotherapy side effects and critical teaching points for the nurse.

How does chemotherapy work?

Premised on the concepts of cellular kinetics, chemotherapy generally works by interfering with the normal cell cycle, impairing DNA synthesis and cell replication , which thereby prevents cancer cells from dividing, multiplying, and forming into new cancer cells (Yarbro, Wujcik, & Gobel, 2018). Chemotherapy is prescribed with varying intents, so oncology nurses need to understand the rationale for each. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is given to shrink a tumor so that the primary treatment, usually surgical intervention in these cases, may not need to be as extensive. Adjuvant chemotherapy is given after the primary treatment and aims to prevent recurrence and reduce micro-metastases. For potentially curative treatment regimens, maximum tolerated doses of drugs are delivered on a specific schedule to achieve the greatest efficacy. Chemotherapy may also be used for palliation. Palliative chemotherapy aims to relieve or delay cancer symptoms, focusing on comfort, symptom management, and improving quality of life. Chemoprevention is the use of selected pharmaceutical agents to prevent cancer in high-risk individuals. Myeloablation is the obliteration of bone marrow in preparation for stem cell or bone marrow transplantation with high-dose, intensive chemotherapy (Itano, 2016). Chemotherapy drugs are distributed throughout the body by the bloodstream and have the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality if not used correctly and cautiously, thereby heightening the critical importance of the oncology nurse's education, training, and chemotherapy certifications. Chemotherapy may be used as a single agent or in combination with other drugs, but it is more commonly used in combination for greater efficacy against cancer and to reduce the potential for drug resistance. While the most common route of chemotherapy administration is intravenous, it may also be administered via other routes, including oral, subcutaneous (injection), intramuscular (injection), intrathecal (directly into central nervous system), intravesicular (directly into the bladder by urinary catheter), or intraperitoneal (infused directly into the intraabdominal cavity) (Itano, 2016).

Why is early recognition of oncologic emergencies important?

Early recognition and prompt intervention of oncologic emergencies are critical to the quality of life and survival of cancer patients. The symptoms of oncologic emergencies may be obvious or subtle in presentation and may be overlooked, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Oncology nurses are vital to improving patient outcomes when an oncologic emergency occurs, as devastating functional losses may be limited, quality of life may be preserved, and the actions of skilled nurses can thwart progression to a life-threatening emergency. Eight of the most common oncologic emergencies are outlined below in Table 11.

How are chemotherapy drugs distributed?

Chemotherapy drugs are distributed throughout the body by the bloodstream and have the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality if not used correctly and cautiously, thereby heightening the critical importance of the oncology nurse's education, training, and chemotherapy certifications.

What is an HSR in chemo?

A hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) occurs when the immune system is overstimulated by a foreign substance (i.e., chemotherapy) and forms antibodies that cause an immune response. Hypersensitivity reactions can occur with chemotherapy and immune-based therapies. HSRs can occur during the initial chemotherapy infusion or subsequent administrations of the same agent. Most HSRs arise during the first 15 minutes of the infusion, but reactions may occur outside of this time frame as well. Oncology nurses must monitor vigilantly for signs of HSR and ensure they are prepared to intervene immediately. Refer to Table 9 for an overview of the clinical manifestations and management of HSRs (Nettina, 2019). Nurses should also be familiar with their own institution's specific chemotherapy HSR protocols and policies for further information and instruction (ONS, 2019a).

What is neoadjuvant chemotherapy?

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is given to shrink a tumor so that the primary treatment, usually surgical intervention in these cases, may not need to be as extensive. Adjuvant chemotherapy is given after the primary treatment and aims to prevent recurrence and reduce micro-metastases.

Is cytotoxic medication dangerous to nurses?

In addition to patient safety, cytotoxic drugs can be equally hazardous to nurses and other health care workers, so it is critical to adhere to standards and practices of hazardous drug handling to minimize any occupational exposure (ONS, 2016; ONS, 2019a). Exposure to hazardous medication is linked to an increased risk for several types of malignancies, and exposure can occur through various sources, including workplace surface contamination (Polovich et al., 2014). According to the 2016 updated ASCO and ONS chemotherapy administration safety standards as outlined by Neuss and colleagues (2017), nurses must wear appropriate personal protective equipment whenever there is a risk of chemotherapy being released into the environment such as during preparation or mixing of chemotherapy, spiking/priming of IV tubing, administering the drug, and when handling body fluids or chemotherapy spills. These guidelines also describe hazardous drug handling as posing reproductive risks, so healthcare workers who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive must notify their employer, as these individuals should not be handling hazardous medications such as chemotherapy.

What does it mean when you have a carcinogen?

A carcinogen is something that can cause you to have cancer. It may be a substance in the air, a product you use, or a chemical in foods and drinks.

How many drinks should I drink a day to get rid of colon cancer?

Experts suggest women have no more than one drink each day and men no more than two. Processed Meat. Bacon, salami, pepperoni, sausage -- any meat that's been preserved or flavored can raise your chances of getting colon cancer. Experts reached that view by looking at more than 800 studies.

Can you get cancer from carcinogens?

Just because you had contact with a carcinogen doesn't mean that you'll get cancer. Your chance of getting sick depends on many things.

Overview

Symptoms

  • Signs and symptoms caused by cancer will vary depending on what part of the body is affected. Some general signs and symptoms associated with, but not specific to, cancer, include: 1. Fatigue 2. Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin 3. Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain 4. Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkeni...
See more on mayoclinic.org

Causes

  • Cancer is caused by changes (mutations) to the DNA within cells. The DNA inside a cell is packaged into a large number of individual genes, each of which contains a set of instructions telling the cell what functions to perform, as well as how to grow and divide. Errors in the instructions can cause the cell to stop its normal function and may allow a cell to become cance…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Risk Factors

  • While doctors have an idea of what may increase your risk of cancer, the majority of cancers occur in people who don't have any known risk factors. Factors known to increase your risk of cancer include:
See more on mayoclinic.org

Complications

  • Cancer and its treatment can cause several complications, including: 1. Pain.Pain can be caused by cancer or by cancer treatment, though not all cancer is painful. Medications and other approaches can effectively treat cancer-related pain. 2. Fatigue.Fatigue in people with cancer has many causes, but it can often be managed. Fatigue associated with chemotherapy or radiation t…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Prevention

  • Doctors have identified several ways to reduce your risk of cancer, such as: 1. Stop smoking.If you smoke, quit. If you don't smoke, don't start. Smoking is linked to several types of cancer — not just lung cancer. Stopping now will reduce your risk of cancer in the future. 2. Avoid excessive sun exposure.Harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can increase your risk of skin cancer. Limit …
See more on mayoclinic.org