Understanding cancer is essential to providing effective nursing care to patients and families affected. This easy-to-use reference guide puts all the necessary information at your fingertips.
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Contents
Introduction
Defining cancer
The nature of cancer
The biology of cancer
Cancer cells
Differentiation
Section summary
Tumours
Benign tumours
Malignant tumours
How malignant tumours grow and spread
Local growth and damage to nearby tissues
Age
Sex
Overall health status
Immune system function
Case study 1 Gerald Fergus
Spread to the lymphatic system and the lymph nodes
Spread to other parts of the body
Section summary
Aetiology of Cancer
Cancer causing substances (carcinogens)
Smoking
Alcohol
Occupational exposure
Diet
Sun
Hormones
Staging and grading of cancer
Staging
Staging and investigations
Radiology
Computerised Tomography Scan (CT Scan)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Ultrasound
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Pathology
Endoscopy and surgery
Grading and investigations
Section summary
Cancer treatment
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Classes of chemotherapeutic drugs
Side effects
Radiotherapy
Biological therapies
Bone marrow and stem cell transplants
Hormonesand hormone antagonists
Section summary
Cancer fast facts
Breast cancer
Bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer)
Lung cancer
Prostate cancer
Caring for people with cancer
Palliative care and end of life care
Section summary
Terminology
Resources
