How to diagnose Cancer

Summary

This video serves as an introduction to oncology for nursing students, explaining key concepts such as the pathophysiology of cancer, common risk factors, and general symptoms. It covers the stages of cancer development—initiation, promotion, and progression—along with diagnostic procedures like biopsies, MRIs, and CT scans. The video also explores tumor classifications (carcinomas, sarcomas, etc.), and details cancer grading and staging systems using the TNM method. Essential warning signs are outlined through the acronym CAUTION, and the video emphasizes the differences between slow- and fast-growing cancers in terms of treatment response. Overall, it provides an informative foundation for understanding cancer in a medical-surgical nursing context.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cancer is a disease where healthy cells transform into malignant cells due to exposure to certain agents.
• 😀 The pathophysiology of cancer involves three stages: initiation (damage to the DNA), promotion (cells are exposed to promoters that aid their growth), and progression (tumor cells acquire additional mutations and metastasize).
• 😀 Common cancer risk factors include age (mostly older individuals), genetics, diet, and environmental exposures.
• 😀 General signs and symptoms of cancer include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, pain, decreased immunity, and altered functions like GI, motor, and respiratory.
• 😀 Diagnostic methods for cancer include MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, and biopsies, which are considered the gold standard for cancer diagnosis.
• 😀 The American Cancer Society's 'CAUTION' acronym highlights seven warning signs of cancer: changes in bowel/bladder habits, a sore that doesn't heal, unusual bleeding, thickening/lumps, indigestion/difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, and a nagging cough.
• 😀 Tumors can be classified as carcinomas (originating from epithelial tissue), sarcomas (originating from connective tissue), leukemia (from bone marrow), melanoma (from plasma cells), and lymphoma (from lymphatic glands or nerves).
• 😀 Grading of cancer compares the cancerous cells to the original tissue. Grade 1 is well-differentiated, and Grade 4 shows no similarity to the tissue of origin, indicating poor prognosis.
• 😀 Staging of cancer is done using the TNM system: T for tumor size and extent, N for node involvement, and M for metastasis.
• 😀 Slow-growing cancers do not respond well to chemotherapy but may respond to radiation or targeted therapy, while fast-growing cancers respond better to chemotherapy.

Q & A

What is cancer?

Cancer is a disease where healthy cells transform into malignant (unhealthy) cells due to DNA damage, leading to abnormal cell growth and rapid cell division.

What are the three main stages in the pathophysiology of cancer?

The three stages are: 1) Initiation – where DNA is damaged, causing excessive cell division; 2) Promotion – where damaged cells are exposed to factors (e.g., hormones) that encourage their growth; 3) Progression – where cancer cells mutate further, increasing their growth rate and ability to metastasize.

What are some common risk factors for cancer?

Common risk factors include age (older individuals), genetics, diet, and various exposures to harmful agents.

What are the general signs and symptoms of cancer?

Common signs and symptoms include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, pain, decreased immunity and blood production, altered GI function, motor and sensory deficits, and respiratory function issues.

What diagnostic methods are typically used to diagnose cancer?

Diagnostic methods include MRI, CT scans, ultrasounds, and biopsies, with biopsy being the gold standard for confirming cancer.

What does the acronym CAUTION stand for in the context of cancer warning signs?

CAUTION stands for: C – Changes in bowel and bladder habits, A – A sore that does not heal, U – Unusual bleeding or discharge, T – Thickening or lumps, I – Indigestion or swallowing difficulties, O – Obvious weight loss, N – Nagging cough with hoarseness.

What are the different types of cancerous tumors and their origins?

Types of cancerous tumors include: Carcinomas (from epithelial tissues), Sarcomas (from connective tissues like bones and tendons), Leukemia (from bone marrow), Melanoma (from plasma cells), and Lymphoma (from lymphatic tissues).

How are cancers graded?

Cancers are graded based on how similar the cancer cells are to the original tissue, with grade 1 being well-differentiated and similar, and grade 4 being poorly differentiated or undifferentiated.

How does the TNM staging system work for cancer?

The TNM system stages cancer based on: T (tumor size), N (number of lymph nodes affected), and M (whether the cancer has metastasized).

What is the difference between slow-growing and fast-growing cancers in terms of treatment response?

Slow-growing cancers do not respond well to chemotherapy but may respond better to radiation or targeted therapy. Fast-growing cancers respond better to chemotherapy.