Nursing Oncology: Lung & Thyroid Cancers

Summary

In this video, Nasmosh introduces oncology disorders, specifically focusing on lung and thyroid cancers that impact the respiratory system. The video explains lung cancer's risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options, such as bronchodilators, chemotherapy, and surgery. It also covers the medical emergency of superior vena cava syndrome. For thyroid cancer, the video details various types, risk factors, diagnostic methods, and treatments, including thyroidectomy and hormone replacement therapy. The importance of monitoring the airway and managing complications like myxedema coma and thyroid storm is emphasized. The video provides crucial insights for both nursing students and practicing nurses.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lung cancer is primarily screened in high-risk patients through low-dose CT scans, with risk factors including smoking, chemical exposure, secondhand smoke, and pollution.
• 😀 Common symptoms of lung cancer include persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
• 😀 Diagnosis of lung cancer often involves a CT scan and bronchoscopy with biopsy to determine the cancer type and stage.
• 😀 Treatment for lung cancer includes bronchodilators, corticosteroids, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation, and possible lobectomy or pneumonectomy.
• 😀 Superior vena cava syndrome is a potential complication of lung cancer, requiring immediate medical intervention like stenting and radiation.
• 😀 Thyroid cancer affects structures like the larynx, pharynx, and esophagus, with tumor growth leading to compression of the respiratory tract.
• 😀 Different types of thyroid cancer include papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic carcinoma, each with varying growth rates and spread patterns.
• 😀 Risk factors for thyroid cancer include being female, low iodine intake, radiation exposure, and older age.
• 😀 Diagnostic tests for thyroid cancer include serum thyroglobulin levels, TSH, T3, T4, calcitonin levels, biopsy, and imaging techniques like CT and MRI.
• 😀 Treatment of thyroid cancer often includes thyroid hormone replacement (levothyroxine), radiation, radioactive iodine therapy, and thyroidectomy (partial or total).
• 😀 Complications from thyroid cancer treatment may include myxedema coma (severe hypothyroidism) and thyroid storm (excess thyroid hormone), both of which require urgent care.

Q & A

What is the focus of the video?

The video focuses on explaining oncology disorders, particularly those affecting the respiratory system, including lung and thyroid cancer.

Who can benefit from the content of this video?

Both LPN and RN students, as well as nurses looking to refresh their basic concepts, can benefit from the content of this video.

How is lung cancer screened?

Lung cancer is screened in patients at high risk, typically using a low-dose CT scan. It is not done routinely unless the person has specific risk factors.

What are the common risk factors for lung cancer?

Risk factors for lung cancer include smoking, exposure to certain chemicals, secondhand smoke, male gender, and pollution.

What are the common signs and symptoms of lung cancer?

Signs and symptoms of lung cancer include a persistent cough, blood in sputum, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, dull chest on percussion, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

What are the main diagnostic methods for lung cancer?

Diagnostic methods for lung cancer include CT scans and bronchoscopy with biopsy to collect tissue samples.

What treatments are typically used for lung cancer?

Treatment for lung cancer includes bronchodilators, corticosteroids, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation, photodynamic therapy, and surgery such as lobectomy or pneumonectomy.

What is superior vena cava syndrome and why is it important in lung cancer?

Superior vena cava syndrome is a medical emergency caused by pressure on the vena cava by a lung tumor. This pressure affects the heart and blood flow, requiring treatment with stents or radiation to relieve the obstruction.

What are the common types of thyroid cancer?

The common types of thyroid cancer include papillary carcinoma (slow-growing), medullary carcinoma (related to endocrine disorders), follicular carcinoma (affects blood vessels, bones, and lungs), and anaplastic carcinoma (more aggressive).

What is the treatment for thyroid cancer?

Treatment for thyroid cancer includes thyroid suppression therapy (e.g., levothyroxine), radiation therapy, radioactive iodine therapy, and surgical removal of the thyroid (total or partial thyroidectomy).

What are some complications associated with thyroid cancer treatment?

Complications can include myxedema coma (a life-threatening condition from low thyroid hormone levels) and thyroid storm (a dangerous condition caused by excess thyroid hormone release).