Treatments for Cancer and the Side Effects
Important Notice: This is a pathophysiology and nursing management of clients health class. Assignment: Write a paper (1,250-1,750 words) describing the approach to care of cancer. In addition, include the following in your paper: 1.Describe the diagnosis and staging of cancer. 2.Describe at least three complications of cancer, the side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen physical and psychological effects. 3.Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required. View Rubric: 1. Explanation of the Diagnosis and Staging of Cancers is Provided.30%. An explanation of the diagnosis and staging of cancers is provided that is offered in a detailed manner, while demonstrating higher level or critical thinking. 2. At Least Three Complications of Cancer are Identified With Comprehensive Discussion of Available Treatments.20% More than three complications of cancer are identified with a comprehensive discussion of available treatments, while demonstrating higher level or critical thinking. Provides Recommendations to Address Physiological and Psychological Side Effects of Care 30% Recommendations to address physiological and psychological side effects of care are offered in a detailed manner, while demonstrating higher level or critical thinking. Organization and Effectiveness 15%
Approach to Care
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Introduction
An average of 7.9 million people dies annually across the globe because of cancer. This translates to about 13% of the overall mortality rate in the world. Cancer is a class of diseases exhibited by growth of uncontrolled cell growth in the body. There are over one hundred (100) different types of cancers. However, each type is classified according to the tissue or fluid where it originates. One particular type of cancer identified through that manner is the lung cancer. Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate than any other type of cancer as studies record. This paper critically explores the approach to care of cancer, thus different sections are included in the discussion in order to shed light on the subject accordingly.
Pathophysiology of Cancer
Different statistics justify that the lung cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US. Therefore, this paper will mostly refer to this type of cancer. Cancer originates from a certain tissue in the body and the spreads from that point. For example, lungs cancer originates from the lungs then spread to other surrounding organs in the body. Lung cancer is believed to originate from the bronchi lining (main lung’s airways), although it can also start from other areas including the alveoli, trachea or bronchioles which are in the respiratory system (Nader, 2014). Lung cancer occurs when the cells based in the lungs grow at an out-of-control rate. Medical Researchers believes that this type of cancer develops over an extended period, usually several years.
Almost all cancers particularly lung cancer, which is the focus for this study are carcinomas, an implication that they begin from the organs lining tissues or the cover part of an organ. The cancerous tumour cells grow and spread differently according to each type of cancer. If the tumour stays in one place and demonstrates little growth, it is said to be benign (Nader, 2014). However, if the cancerous cell moves throughout the body using the blood system or lymph systems, it destroys other body’s healthy tissue. This takes place through a process called invasion and such tumours are more dangerous and referred as malignant tumours.
Notably through studies, it is true tumour cells grow and spread differently depending on the type of cancer. In that sense, this calls for different methods of cancer treatment for the different types. The different methods taken for the treatment ensure that each type of cancer is handled in the right way, and using the appropriate treatment measures. With reference to the American Cancer Society (2014), it is recorded that about 85 % to 90 % of all lung cancers belong non-small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer form in the tissue found in the lung, mostly in the cells that lining the air passages. It is worth noting that they damage tissue surrounding it and then interferes with normal lung functioning. This type of lung cancer can quickly spread to the lymph system. Lymph nodes refer to the organs that link lymph vessels and contain lymph (fluid that helps fight infection). Lung cancer may also spread to other body organs. This is evident since cancers are usually named according to the tissue or fluid where it originates (American Cancer Society, 2014).
Diagnosis
Cancer can be detected using x-ray whereby a growth is sought. The x-ray is performed after signs such as persistent coughing or chest pains etc are experienced in a patient. When Cancer is detected, other tests are carried out to determine the spread of cancer in the body. These tests include; X-ray, Needle Biopsy, CT scan, Sputum Cytology, MRI and Bronchoscopy. Each of these tests can be done individually or using a combination of two or more of those tests. The tests are used to find the location of cancer and the appearance of the tumour. A biopsy could be carried out to get incisive details on the presence, kind and size of cancer. Lab tests examine blood and urine samples for any antigens produced by cancer cells. Other specialized tests are also conducted to determine how particular organs such as the liver are functioning. After these tests, the stage ...