Download Chapter 38 - Bakersfield College

Chapter 38
Cancer, Immune System, and Skin Disorders
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
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Define the key terms and key abbreviations listed in this chapter
Explain the difference between benign tumors and cancer
Identify cancer risk factors
Identify the signs and symptoms of cancer
Explain the common cancer treatments
Describe the needs of a person with cancer
Explain how immune system disorders occur
Describe the common immune system disorders
Explain how the human immunodeficiency virus is spread
Identify the signs and symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Explain how to assist in the care of persons with acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome
Describe the causes, signs and symptoms, and treatment of shingles
CANCER
Cells
reproduce for tissue growth and repair.
•Sometimes cell division and growth are out of control.
A mass or clump of cells develops. This new growth of abnormal cells is called a tumor.
Tumors are benign or malignant.
Malignant
tumors (cancer):
•Invade and destroy nearby tissue
•Can spread to other body parts
•May be life-threatening
•Sometimes grow back after removal
Benign tumors:
•Do not spread to other body parts
•Can grow to a large size, but rarely threaten life
•Usually do not grow back when removed
Metastasis
is the spread of cancer to other body parts.
•Cancer cells break off the tumor and travel to other body parts.
•New tumors grow in other body parts.
Cancer can occur almost anywhere.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States.
The
National Cancer Institute describes these risk factors:
•Growing older
Most cancers occur in persons over 65 years of age.
•Tobacco
•Sunlight
•Ionizing radiation
•Certain chemicals and other substances
•Some viruses and bacteria
•Certain hormones
•Family history of cancer
•Alcohol
•Poor diet, lack of physical activity, and being overweight
If
detected early, cancer can be treated and controlled.
•Treatment depends on:
The type of tumor
Tumor site and size
If the tumor has spread
•The goal of cancer treatment may be one of the following:
Cure the cancer
Control the disease
Reduce symptoms for as long as possible
•Some cancers respond to one type of treatment.
Others respond best to two or more types.
•Side effects depend on the type and extent of the treatment.
•Surgery removes tumors.
It is done to cure or control cancer.
It relieves pain from advanced cancer.
•Radiation therapy (radiotherapy):
Destroys certain tumors
Shrinks a tumor before surgery
Destroys cancer cells that remain in an area after surgery
Controls tumor growth to prevent or relieve pain
•Chemotherapy involves drugs that kill cells. It is used to:
Shrink a tumor before surgery
Kill cells that break off the tumor
Relieve symptoms caused by the cancer
•Hormone therapy prevents cancer cells from getting or using hormones needed for their
growth.
Drugs are given that prevent the production of certain hormones.
Organs or glands that produce a certain hormone are removed.
•Biological therapy (immunotherapy) helps the immune system fight the cancer.
It also protects the body from the side effects of cancer treatments.
Persons
with cancer have many needs. They include:
•Pain relief or control
•Rest and exercise
•Fluids and nutrition
•Preventing skin breakdown
•Preventing bowel problems
•Dealing with treatment side effects
•Psychological and social needs
•Spiritual needs
•Sexual needs
IMMUNE
SYSTEM DISORDERS
immune system:
•Protects the body from microbes, cancer cells, and other harmful substances
•Defends against threats inside and outside the body
Immune system disorders occur when there is a problem with the immune response.
•The response may be inappropriate, too strong, or lacking.
The
Autoimmune
disorders can occur.
•The immune system causes disease by attacking the body’s own normal cells, tissues, or
organs.
•One of the following may occur:
One or more types of body tissues are destroyed.
An organ grows abnormally.
There is a change in how an organ functions.
•Common autoimmune disorders include:
Graves’ disease (the most common form of hyperthyroidism)
Lupus (an inflammatory disease affecting the blood cells, joints, skin, kidneys, lungs,
heart, or brain)
Multiple sclerosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Type 1 diabetes
•Signs and symptoms depend on the type of disease.
Fatigue, dizziness, not feeling well, and fever are common.
•Most autoimmune disorders are chronic.
•Treatment depends on:
The type of disorder
The tissues and organs affected
•Treatment is aimed at:
Reducing symptoms
Controlling the autoimmune response
Maintaining the body’s ability to fight disease
Acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
•AIDS is caused by a virus.
The virus is called the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
HIV attacks the immune system.
HIV is spread through body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk).
•The virus is transmitted mainly by:
Unprotected anal, vaginal, or oral sex with an infected person
–“Unprotected”
means without a new latex or polyurethane condom.
Needle and syringe sharing among IV drug users
HIV-infected mothers before or during childbirth
HIV-infected mothers through breast-feeding
•The virus is very fragile.
It cannot live outside the body.
HIV is not spread by casual, everyday contact.
HIV is not transmitted by food prepared by the infected person.
•Some persons infected with HIV have symptoms within a few months.
Others are symptom-free for more than 10 years. (They carry the virus and can spread it
to others.)
•The person with AIDS can develop other health problems.
The immune system is damaged.
•The person with AIDS is at risk for:
Pneumonia
Tuberculosis
Kaposi’s sarcoma (a cancer)
Nervous system damage
•Many new drugs:
Help slow the spread of HIV in the body
Reduce complications
Prolong life
•You may care for persons with AIDS or those who are HIV carriers.
Protect yourself and others from the virus. Follow Standard Precautions and the
Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.
SKIN
DISORDERS
(herpes zoster)
•Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.
•The virus lies dormant (inactive) in nerve tissue.
•The virus can become active years later.
•Persons at risk include
Persons over 50 years of age
Persons who have had chickenpox
Persons with weakened immune systems
•The doctor orders anti-viral drugs and drugs for pain relief.
•A vaccine is now available to prevent shingles.
Shingles