Pediatric Cancer Exam Questions Answered Correctly Latest Update 2024 (Already Passed)

Pediatric Cancer Exam Questions Answered Correctly Latest Update 2024 (Already Passed) Cancer warning signs in Children - Answers -Unusual mass or swelling -Unexplained paleness and loss of energy -Sudden tendency to bruise -Persistent, localized pain or limping -Prolonged, unexplained fever or illness -Frequent headaches, often with vomiting -Sudden eye or vision changes -Excessive, rapid weight loss What is the most common form of childhood cancer? - Answers *Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia* (ALL) Classification of Childhood Cancer - Answers a wide range of diseases that are classified into two broad subcategories: 1. Hematological malignancies 2. Solid tumors Within these classifications, tumors are named based on the *type of tissue* and/or *site* that the cancer develops in. ex: rhabdosarcoma = striated muscle cancer (I think, thats what Hockenberry told me) Tissue Classification - Answers All body tissues arise from one of the embryonal tissue layers: - Ectoderm - Mesoderm - Endoderm Where do most childhood cancers arise from? - Answers the *mesoderm or ectoderm* (tissues deep within the body) Conversely, most adult cancers arise from the *endoderm* (tissues exposed to the environment) Common Hematological Child Cancers - Answers *Leukemia (Blood/Marrow)* -ALL -AML *Lymphoma (lymphoid)* -Hodgkin -NHL Common Solid Tumor Child Cancers - Answers CNS tumors (brain/spine) neuroblastoma (SNS) -Usually abdomen rhabdomyosarcoma (muscle) Wilms tumor (kidney) Ewing's sarcoma (bone) osteosarcoma (bone) retinoblastoma (eye) Why do children have higher survival rates of cancer? - Answers Their bodies are generally healthy in all other aspects besides having cancer. *Highest survival rate- ALL (87%)* *Lowest survival rate- AML (54%)* ^from ppt Childhood vs Adult-Onset Cancers: Prevention - Answers Childhood- not possible Adults- 80% preventable Childhood vs Adult-Onset Cancers: Early Detection - Answers Childhood: Usually accidental, no screenings Adults: Possible with screening Childhood vs Adult-Onset Cancers: Stage at diagnosis - Answers Childhood: 80% metastatic Adults: Local or regional Childhood vs Adult-Onset Cancers: Response - Answers Childhood: Very chemosensitive Adults: Less chemosensitive Childhood vs Adult-Onset Cancers: Treatment effects - Answers Childhood: less acute toxicity, more longterm effects Adults: more acute toxicity, fewer long-term effects Childhood vs Adult-Onset Cancers: Prognosis - Answers Childhood: around 80% 5-year survival Adults: around 66% 5-year survival Characteristics of Childhood Cancer - Answers Usually affects deep tissues Often disseminated (metastasized) at diagnosis Sometimes related to peak growth periods No screening or early detection available Usually very responsive to therapy 80% overall cure rate Childhood Cancer: Patterns of Onset: Infancy and Early Childhood - Answers Associated with peak growth periods Neuroblastoma Wilms tumor Retinoblastoma Childhood Cancer: Patterns of Onset: Adolescence - Answers Associated with peak growth periods Hodgkin's lymphoma Osteosarcoma What are the reasons for improved survival rates? - Answers -The clinical trials that go on in pediatric oncology -The fact that multimodality therapy is used (chemo w/ radiation w/ surgery) -The intensive supportive care that has been developed - that allows us to push the boundaries in terms of what therapies can be used -The use of a multidisciplinary approach, including many healthcare professionals from a wide variety of subspecialties. What are the treatment modalities used in childhood cancers? - Answers *Chemotherapy*- primary for kids *Radiation*- not awesome for kids *Surgery*- also primary for kids *Hematopoietic stem cell transplant* *Biotherapy- monoclonal antibodies:* watch for anaphylaxis; first infusion- forming antibodies; second infusion- nope Leukemia- What is it? - Answers a group of malignancies that affect the bone marrow and lymphatic system How is Leukemia classified? - Answers By the type of WBCs that become neoplastic Two groups: Acute Lymphoid Leukemia (ALL) Acute Myelogenous (Myeloid) Leukemia/ Nonlymphoid (AML/ ANLL) Leukemia Pathophysiology - Answers Causes *bone marrow suppression* leading to *anemia* and *neutropenia* Causes an *increase in immature WBC production*, leading to *infiltration* of organs and tissues. *Bone Marrow infiltration-* crowding of cells that normally produce RBCs, platelets, mature WBCs - anemia (low RBCs), neutropenia (low wbcs, increased rx for infection), thrombocytopenia (low platelets, bleeding, fibrosis) *Spleen, Liver, Lymph node* infiltration- tissue fibrosis *CNS infiltration*- increased ICP Leukemia Risk Factors - Answers -Most common form of childhood cancer -Caucasian boys 1yr, peak 2-6yrs - Trisomy 21 have 20x the risk of developing ALL Leukemia- Subjective Data - Answers Vague Anorexia, HA, fatigue Leukemia- Objective Data- *Early* Physical Manifestations - Answers Low grade fever (decreased WBCs) Pallor (decreased RBCs) Increased bruising and petechiae (decreased platelets) Listlessness Enlarged liver, lymph nodes, joints Abdominal, leg, joint pain Constipation HA Vomitting Anorexia (decreased everything) Unsteady gait