Transcript userfiles/133/my files/chapter_033 cancer immune system skin

Chapter 33
Cancer, Immune System, and Skin
Disorders
All items and derived items © 2015, 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Cancer
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A new growth of abnormal cells is called a tumor.
Tumors are benign or malignant.
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Benign tumors
• Do not not spread to other body parts
• Usually do not grow back when removed
 Malignant tumors
• Invade and destroy nearby tissue
• Can spread to other body parts
• Sometimes grow back after removal
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Metastasis is the spread of cancer to other body
parts.
All items and derived items © 2015, 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Cancer Risk Factors
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The National Cancer Institute describes these risk
factors:
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Growing older
Tobacco use
Sunlight
Ionizing radiation, which can cause cell damage that leads to
cancer
Certain chemicals and other substances
Some viruses and bacteria
Certain hormones
Family history of cancer
Alcoholism
Poor diet, lack of physical activity, and being over-weight
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Treatment
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If detected early, cancer may be treated or
controlled.
Treatment depends on:
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The type of tumor
 Its site and size
 If it has spread
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Common treatments include:
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Surgery
Radiation therapy (radiotherapy)
Chemotherapy
Hormone therapy
Biological therapy (immunotherapy)
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The Person’s Needs
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Persons with cancer have many needs:
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Pain relief or control
Rest and exercise
Fluids and nutrition
Preventing skin breakdown
Preventing bowel problems (constipation from painrelief drugs; diarrhea from some cancer treatments)
Dealing with treatment side effects
Psychological and social needs
Spiritual needs
Sexual needs
All items and derived items © 2015, 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Immune System Disorders
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The immune system:
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Protects the body from microbes, cancer cells, and
other harmful substances
Defends against threats inside and outside the
body
Immune system disorders
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Occur from problems with the immune response
The response may be inappropriate, too strong, or
lacking.
All items and derived items © 2015, 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Autoimmune Disorders
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In autoimmune disorders, the immune system
can attack the body’s own normal cells, tissues,
or organs.
Common autoimmune disorders include:
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Graves’ disease (the most common form of
hyperthyroidism)
Lupus—and inflammatory disease affecting the blood
cells, joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, or brain
Multiple sclerosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Type I diabetes
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Signs and Symptoms
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Signs and symptoms of autoimmune
diseases vary.
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Fatigue, dizziness, not feeling well, and fever are
common.
Most autoimmune disorders are chronic.
Treatment depends on the disorder and the
tissues and organs affected.
All items and derived items © 2015, 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome (AIDS)
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Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV).
The virus is spread through body fluids: blood,
semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk.
The virus is transmitted mainly by:
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Unprotected anal, vaginal, or oral sex with an infected
person
Needle and syringe sharing among IV drug users
HIV-infected mothers before or during childbirth
HIV-infected mothers through breast-feeding
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HIV
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The HIV virus is very fragile.
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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.
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Some HIV-infected persons have symptoms
within a few months.
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Others are symptom-free for more than 10 years.
 However, they carry the virus and can spread it to
others.
 The person with AIDS can develop other health
problems because the immune system is damaged.
All items and derived items © 2015, 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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AIDS
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The person with AIDS is at risk for:
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Many new drugs
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Pneumonia
Tuberculosis
Kaposi’s sarcoma (a cancer)
Nervous system damage
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.
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Protect yourself and others from the virus.
Follow Standard Precautions and the Bloodborne Pathogen
Standard.
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Skin Disorders
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Shingles (herpes zoster)
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Caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox
The virus lies dormant in nerve tissue.
The virus can become active years later.
Most common in persons over 50 years of age.
Persons at risk are those who have had chicken pox
and those with weakened immune systems.
A rash or blisters occur on the skin.
Pain level varies, but itching is a common complaint.
Antiviral drugs and pain-relief drugs are ordered by the
doctor.
All items and derived items © 2015, 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Quality of Life
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A person may have one or many health
problems.
The care you give affects the person’s quality
of life.
Protect the right to privacy and confidentiality.
Protect the right to personal choice.
Protect the right to be free from abuse,
mistreatment, and neglect.
Follow Standard Precautions and the
Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.
All items and derived items © 2015, 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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