NUR 356 Exam 5 Cancer and Nursing
Biology of Cancer - answer Cancer encompasses a broad range of diseases of multiple
causes that can arise in any cell of the body capable of evading regulatory controls of
proliferation and differentiation.
Cancer cells usually proliferate at the same rate of the normal cells of the tissue from
which they arise. However, cancer cells divide indiscriminately and haphazardly and
sometimes produce more than two cells at the time of mitosis.
Through differentiation, cells become capable of performing only specific functions.
Two major dysfunctions present in the process of cancer are: - answer(1) defective cell
proliferation (growth) and (2) defective cell differentiation.
Proto-oncogenes - answerare normal cell genes that regulate normal cell processes to
keep them in their mature, functioning state.
When proto-oncogenes are mutated, they can begin to function as oncogenes (tumor-
inducing genes).
Tumors can be classified as benign or malignant: describe their differentiation? -
answerBenign neoplasms are well-differentiated.
Malignant neoplasms range from well-differentiated to undifferentiated.
The stages of cancer include: - answerinitiation, promotion, and progression.
The first stage, initiation: - answeris a mutation in the cell's DNA genetic structure
following exposure to a chemical, radiation, or viral agent. The mutation may also be
inherited.
Promotion - answerhe second stage in the development of cancer, is characterized by
the reversible proliferation of the altered cells.
Progression - answerthe final stage, is characterized by increased growth rate of the
tumor, increased invasiveness, and spread of the cancer to a distant site (metastasis).
Metastasis - answeris a multistep process in which tumor cells travel to distant sites via
lymphatic and hematogenous routes. The most frequent sites of metastasis are lungs,
bone, brain, liver, and adrenal glands.
, Prevalence - answerThe number or proportion of cases of a particular disease or
condition present in a population at a given time.
Incidence - answerrate of occurrence; particular occurrenc
Mortality - answerdeath rate
Morbidity - answerIncidence of a specific notifiable disease
Survival - answerSurvival rate
Adjuvant - answerassisting or enhancing therapy given, especially in cancer, to prevent
further growth or pain; therapy used which was originally intended for another purpose.
Quality of Life - answerThe degree of overall satisfaction that a person gets from life
Cachexia - answera condition of physical wasting away due to the loss of weight and
muscle mass that occurs in patients with diseases such as advanced cancer or AIDS
Benign - answerHarmless
Malignant - answerCancerous
Node - answerLymph Node
Biopsy - answerThe removal of a small piece of tissue for examination
Cure - answerSomething that relieves an individual of a disease.
Control - answer-stasis
Palliation - answercomfort, consolation
Hospice - answerFacility for care for the terminally ill.
CAUTION: Seven Warning Signs of Cancer - answer1) Change in bowel or bladder
habits
2) A sore that does not heal
3) Unusual bleeding or discharge from any body orifice
4) Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
5) Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
Biology of Cancer - answer Cancer encompasses a broad range of diseases of multiple
causes that can arise in any cell of the body capable of evading regulatory controls of
proliferation and differentiation.
Cancer cells usually proliferate at the same rate of the normal cells of the tissue from
which they arise. However, cancer cells divide indiscriminately and haphazardly and
sometimes produce more than two cells at the time of mitosis.
Through differentiation, cells become capable of performing only specific functions.
Two major dysfunctions present in the process of cancer are: - answer(1) defective cell
proliferation (growth) and (2) defective cell differentiation.
Proto-oncogenes - answerare normal cell genes that regulate normal cell processes to
keep them in their mature, functioning state.
When proto-oncogenes are mutated, they can begin to function as oncogenes (tumor-
inducing genes).
Tumors can be classified as benign or malignant: describe their differentiation? -
answerBenign neoplasms are well-differentiated.
Malignant neoplasms range from well-differentiated to undifferentiated.
The stages of cancer include: - answerinitiation, promotion, and progression.
The first stage, initiation: - answeris a mutation in the cell's DNA genetic structure
following exposure to a chemical, radiation, or viral agent. The mutation may also be
inherited.
Promotion - answerhe second stage in the development of cancer, is characterized by
the reversible proliferation of the altered cells.
Progression - answerthe final stage, is characterized by increased growth rate of the
tumor, increased invasiveness, and spread of the cancer to a distant site (metastasis).
Metastasis - answeris a multistep process in which tumor cells travel to distant sites via
lymphatic and hematogenous routes. The most frequent sites of metastasis are lungs,
bone, brain, liver, and adrenal glands.
, Prevalence - answerThe number or proportion of cases of a particular disease or
condition present in a population at a given time.
Incidence - answerrate of occurrence; particular occurrenc
Mortality - answerdeath rate
Morbidity - answerIncidence of a specific notifiable disease
Survival - answerSurvival rate
Adjuvant - answerassisting or enhancing therapy given, especially in cancer, to prevent
further growth or pain; therapy used which was originally intended for another purpose.
Quality of Life - answerThe degree of overall satisfaction that a person gets from life
Cachexia - answera condition of physical wasting away due to the loss of weight and
muscle mass that occurs in patients with diseases such as advanced cancer or AIDS
Benign - answerHarmless
Malignant - answerCancerous
Node - answerLymph Node
Biopsy - answerThe removal of a small piece of tissue for examination
Cure - answerSomething that relieves an individual of a disease.
Control - answer-stasis
Palliation - answercomfort, consolation
Hospice - answerFacility for care for the terminally ill.
CAUTION: Seven Warning Signs of Cancer - answer1) Change in bowel or bladder
habits
2) A sore that does not heal
3) Unusual bleeding or discharge from any body orifice
4) Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
5) Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
