Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Baculio, RN
Learning Objectives
At the end of the discussion, we will be able to:
It is composed of the:
• milk glands (lobules) that produce milk (12-20lobules)
• ducts that transport milk from the milk glands (lobules)
to the nipple
• nipple
• areola (pink or brown pigmented region surrounding
the nipple)
• connective (fibrous) tissue that surrounds the lobules
and ducts
• fat
BREAST CANCER
• Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of
breast cells.
• In situ are breast cancers that have not
spread.
• Invasive or infiltrating cancers have spread
(invaded) into the surrounding breast tissue.
IN SITU CANCER
• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS; also known as intraductal
carcinoma) is a non-invasive breast cancer. It is the
proliferation of malignant cells inside the milk ducts
without invasion in the surrounding tissue.
– It cannot cause death unless it develops into invasive cancer.
– IDC is the most common form of breast cancer,
representing 80 percent of all breast
cancer diagnoses.
Less common types of breast cancer
• Inflammatory breast cancer is an uncommon type of invasive breast cancer. It
accounts for about 1% to 5% of all breast cancers.
• Paget disease of the nipple starts in the breast ducts and spreads to the skin of
the nipple and then to the areola(the dark circle around the nipple). It is rare,
accounting for only about 1-3% of all cases of breast cancer.
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSIS
• Mammogram. A mammogram is
an X-ray of the breast.
Mammograms are commonly
used to screen for breast cancer.
If an abnormality is detected on
a screening mammogram, your
doctor may recommend a
diagnostic mammogram to
further evaluate that
abnormality.
DIAGNOSIS
• Breast ultrasound.
– Ultrasound uses
sound waves to
produce images of
structures deep within
the body. Ultrasound
may be used to
determine whether a
new breast lump is a
solid mass or a fluid-
filled cyst.
DIAGNOSIS
CORE NEEDLE BIOPSY
– figure out your prognosis, the likely outcome of the
disease
– decide on the best treatment options
– determine if certain clinical trials may be a good option
STAGE
• Breast cancer stage is usually expressed as a
number on a scale of 0 through IV
— with stage 0 describing non-invasive cancers
that remain within their original location and stage
IV describing invasive cancers that have spread
outside the breast to other parts of the body.
SCORE AND STAGE
• Be careful not to confuse grade with stage, which is
usually expressed as a number from 0 to 4 (often
using Roman numerals I, II, III, IV). Stage is based on
the size of the cancer and how far it has (or hasn’t)
spread beyond its original location within the breast.
• Having a low-grade cancer is an encouraging sign.
But keep in mind that higher-grade cancers may be
more vulnerable than low-grade cancers to
treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation
therapy, which work by targeting fast-dividing cells.
TREATMENT
• Removing the entire breast
(mastectomy).
A mastectomy is an operation to
remove all of your breast tissue. Most
mastectomy procedures remove all of
the breast tissue — the lobules,
ducts, fatty tissue and some skin,
including the nipple and areola (total
or simple mastectomy).
• Newer surgical techniques may be an
option in selected cases in order to
improve the appearance of the
breast. Skin-sparing mastectomy and
nipple-sparing mastectomy are
increasingly common operations for
breast cancer.
TREATMENT
• A modified radical
mastectomy is a
procedure in which
the entire breast is
removed, including
the skin, areola,
nipple, and most
axillary lymph nodes,
but the pectoralis
major muscle is
spared.
TREATMENT
TREATMENT
• Removing a limited number of
lymph nodes (sentinel node
biopsy/ SLND). To determine
whether cancer has spread to your
lymph nodes, your surgeon will
discuss with you the role of
removing the lymph nodes that are
the first to receive the lymph
drainage from your tumor.
• If no cancer is found in those
lymph nodes, the chance of finding
cancer in any of the remaining
lymph nodes is small and no other
nodes need to be removed
TREATMENT
• Removing the breast cancer (lumpectomy).During
a lumpectomy, which may be referred to as breast-
conserving surgery or wide local excision, the
surgeon removes the tumor and a small margin of
surrounding healthy tissue.
• A lumpectomy may be recommended for removing
smaller tumors.
• Some people with larger tumors may undergo
chemotherapy before surgery to shrink a tumor and
make it possible to remove completely with a
lumpectomy procedure.
TREATMENT
• Removing several lymph nodes (axillary lymph
node dissection/ ALND). If cancer is found in the
sentinel lymph nodes, your surgeon will discuss
with you the role of removing additional lymph
nodes in your armpit.
TREATMENT
• BREAST SURGERIES
• Complications of breast cancer surgery depend on the
procedures you choose. Breast cancer surgery carries a
risk of pain, bleeding, infection and arm swelling
(lymphedema).
• You may choose to have breast reconstruction after
surgery.
• Consider a referral to a plastic surgeon before your breast
cancer surgery. Your options may include reconstruction
with a breast implant (silicone or water) or reconstruction
using your own tissue. These operations can be performed
at the time of your mastectomy or at a later date.
TREATMENT
RADIATION
• uses high-powered beams of energy,
such as X-rays and protons, to kill
cancer cells. Radiation therapy is
typically done using a large machine
that aims the energy beams at your
body (external beam radiation). But
radiation can also be done by placing
radioactive material inside your body
(brachytherapy).
• External beam radiation of the whole
breast is commonly used after a
lumpectomy. Breast brachytherapy may
be an option after a lumpectomy if you
have a low risk of cancer recurrence.
TREATMENT
RADIATION
• Doctors may also recommend radiation therapy to the chest wall
after a mastectomy for larger breast cancers or cancers that have
spread to the lymph nodes.
• Breast cancer radiation can last from three days to six weeks,
depending on the treatment. A doctor who uses radiation to treat
cancer (radiation oncologist) determines which treatment is best for
you based on your situation, your cancer type and the location of
your tumor.
• Side effects of radiation therapy include fatigue and a red, sunburn-
like rash where the radiation is aimed. Breast tissue may also appear
swollen or more firm. Rarely, more-serious problems may occur, such
as damage to the heart or lungs or, very rarely, second cancers in the
treated area.
TREATMENT
• Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy fast-growing cells, such as cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
• After surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy): Adjuvant chemo is used to try to
kill any cancer cells that might have been left behind or have spread but
can't be seen, even on imaging tests.
• Before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy): Neoadjuvant chemo can be
used to try to shrink the tumor so it can be removed with less extensive
surgery.
• For advanced breast cancer: Chemo can be used as the main treatment
for women whose cancer has spread outside the breast and underarm
area, either when it is diagnosed or after initial treatments.
– The length of treatment depends on how well the chemo is working and how well you
tolerate it.
Note: Chemotherapy is most effective when combinations of drugs are
used.
TREATMENT
Chemotherapy
• The most common drugs used for adjuvant and neoadjuvant
chemo include:
• Anthracyclines, such as doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and epirubicin
(Ellence)
• Taxanes, such as paclitaxel (Taxol) and docetaxel (Taxotere)
• 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)
• Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
• Carboplatin (Paraplatin)
Most often, combinations of 2 or 3 of these drugs are used.
TREATMENT
Chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer
Chemo drugs useful in treating women with breast cancer that has
spread include:
• Taxanes, such as paclitaxel (Taxol), docetaxel (Taxotere), and
albumin-bound paclitaxel (Abraxane)
• Anthracyclines (Doxorubicin, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin,
and Epirubicin)
• Platinum agents (cisplatin, carboplatin)
• Vinorelbine (Navelbine)
• Capecitabine (Xeloda)
• Gemcitabine (Gemzar)
• Ixabepilone (Ixempra) Albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel or
Abraxane)
• Eribulin (Halaven)
TREATMENT
Chemotherapy
- IV lines for chemotherapy
treatment: central venous
catheters(CVCs)/ central
venous access devices
(CVADs)/ or central lines.
- The 2 most common types
are the implanted port and
the PICC line.
- Dwell time: up to a year.
- For breast cancer patients,
the central line is typically
placed on the opposite side
of the breast that had
surgery.
TREATMENT
Chemotherapy
- Doctors give chemo in cycles, with each period of
treatment followed by a rest period to give you time to
recover from the effects of the drugs.
- Cycles are most often 2 or 3 weeks long. The schedule
varies depending on the drugs used.
- Adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemo is often given for a total
of 3 to 6 months, depending on the drugs used. The length
of treatment for advanced breast cancer is based on how
well it is working and what side effects you have.
- Most often, on the start of the cycle, patients are
hospitalized.
TREATMENT
Chemotherapy
Chemo drugs can cause side effects. These depend on the type and
dose of drugs given, and the length of treatment. Some of the
most common possible side effects include:
• Hair loss
• Nail changes
• Mouth sores
• Loss of appetite or weight changes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
TREATMENT
Chemotherapy
Chemo can also affect the blood-forming cells of the bone
marrow, which can lead to:
• Increased chance of infections (from low white blood cell
counts)
• Easy bruising or bleeding (from low blood platelet counts)
• Fatigue (from low red blood cell counts and other reasons)
• These side effects usually go away after treatment is finished.
There are often ways to lessen these side effects. For example,
drugs can be given to help prevent or reduce nausea and
vomiting.
TREATMENT
Other sideeffects:
Menstrual changes and fertility issues
• For younger women, changes in menstrual periods are a common side effect.
• Premature menopause and infertility may occur and may be permanent.
• Even if your periods have stopped while you are on chemo, you may still be
able to get pregnant. Getting pregnant while on chemo could lead to birth
defects. However , If you are pregnant when you get breast cancer, you still can
be treated. Certain chemo drugs can be taken safely during the last 2 trimesters
of pregnancy.
• If you are pre-menopausal before treatment and are sexually active, it’s
important to discuss using birth control with your doctor. It is not a good idea
for women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer to take hormonal
birth control (like birth control pills.)
• Women who have finished treatment (like chemo) can safely go on to have
children, but it's not safe to get pregnant while on treatment.
• If you think you might want to have children after being treated for breast
cancer, talk with your doctor before you start treatment.
TREATMENT
Heart damage
• Doxorubicin, epirubicin, and some other chemo drugs rarely can
cause permanent heart damage (called cardiomyopathy). The risk is
highest if the drug is used for a long time or in high doses.
• Check heart function with a test like an echocardiogram or a MUGA
scan before starting treatment.
• They also carefully control the doses, watch for symptoms of heart
problems, and may repeat the heart test during treatment.
• If the heart function begins to worsen, treatment with these drugs
will be temporarily or permanently stopped.
• Still, in some people, signs of damage might not appear until months
or years after treatment stops. Damage from these drugs happens
more often if other drugs that can cause heart damage (such as
those that target HER2) are used also, so doctors are more cautious
when these drugs are used together.
TREATMENT
• Nerve damage (neuropathy)
• Taxanes (docetaxel and paclitaxel), platinum agents
(carboplatin, cisplatin), vinorelbine, eribulin, and ixabepilone,
can damage nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord.
• This can lead to symptoms (mainly in the hands and feet) like
numbness, pain, burning or tingling sensations, sensitivity to
cold or heat, or weakness.
• In most cases this goes away once treatment is stopped, but it
might last a long time in some women or may become
permanent .
TREATMENT
• Hormone therapy
• More properly termed hormone-blocking therapy
• Some breast cancers require estrogen to continue growing.
– Estrogen receptor positive(ER+) breast cancer
– Progesterone receptor positive (PR+)breast cancer
• Estrogen makes hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers
grow. So reducing the amount of estrogen or blocking its action
can reduce the risk of early-stage hormone-receptor-positive
breast cancers coming back (recurring) after surgery.
• Hormonal therapy medicines can also be used to help shrink or
slow the growth of advanced-stage or metastatic hormone-
receptor-positive breast cancers.
TREATMENT
• Hormone therapy
• Treatments that can be used in hormone therapy include:
– Medications that block hormones from attaching to cancer
cells (selective estrogen receptor modulators)
– Medications that stop the body from making estrogen after
menopause (aromatase inhibitors)
• Surgery or medications to stop hormone production in the
ovaries
• Hormone therapy side effects depend on your specific
treatment, but may include hot flashes, night sweats and
vaginal dryness.
• More serious side effects include a risk of bone thinning and
blood clots.
TREATMENT
• Targeted therapy drugs
• Targeted drug treatments attack specific
abnormalities within cancer cells.
– As an example, several targeted therapy drugs
focus on a protein that some breast cancer cells
overproduce called human epidermal growth
factor receptor 2 (HER2). The protein helps breast
cancer cells grow and survive. By targeting cells
that make too much HER2, the drugs can damage
cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.
TREATMENT
• Supportive (palliative) care
• Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on
providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a
serious illness.
• Palliative care can be used while undergoing other
aggressive treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy
or radiation therapy.
• When palliative care is used along with all of the other
appropriate treatments, people with cancer may feel
better and live longer.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Anticipatory Grieving
• Grieving: A normal complex process that includes
emotional, physical, spiritual, social, and intellectual
responses and behaviors by which individuals, families,
and communities incorporate an actual, anticipated, or
perceived loss into their daily lives.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Anticipatory Grieving
May be related to
• Anticipated loss of physiological wellbeing (e.g., loss of
body part, change in body function, change in lifestyle
• Perceived potential death of patient
• Desired outcomes
• Identify and express feelings appropriately
• Continue normal life acitivits, looking toward/planning
for the future, one day at a time.
• Verbalize understanding of the dying process and
feelings of being supported in grief work.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Anticipatory Grieving
• Expect initial shock and disbelief following diagnosis of
cancer and traumatizing procedures (disfiguring surgery)
• Assess patient and SO for stage of grief currently being
experienced. Explain process as appropriate.
• Provide open, nonjudgmental environment. Use
therapeutic communication skills of Active-Listening,
acknowledgment, and so on.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Anticipatory Grieving
• Encourage verbalization of thoughts or concerns and
accept expressions of sadness, anger, rejection.
Acknowledge normality of these feelings.
• Be aware of mood swings, hostility, and other acting-out
behavior. Set limits on inappropriate behavior, redirect
negative thinking.
• Be aware of debilitating depression. Ask patient direct
questions about state of mind.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Anticipatory Grieving
• Visit frequently and provide physical contact as
appropriate, or provide frequent phone support as
appropriate for setting. Arrange for care provider and
support person to stay with patient as needed.
• Reinforce teaching regarding disease process and
treatments and provide information as appropriate
about dying. Be honest; do not give false hope while
providing emotional support.
• Talk about things that interest the patient.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Anticipatory Grieving
• Note evidence of conflict; expressions of anger; and
statements of despair, guilt, hopelessness, “nothing to
live for.”
• Determine way that patient and SO understand and
respond to death such as cultural expectations, learned
behaviors, experience with death (close family
members, friends), beliefs about life after death, faith in
Higher Power (God).
• Identify positive aspects of the situation.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Anticipatory Grieving
• Discuss ways patient and SO can plan together for the
future. Encourage setting of realistic goals.
• Refer to visiting nurse, home health agency as needed,
or hospice program, if appropriate.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Acute Pain
• Acute Pain: Unpleasant sensory and emotional
experience arising from actual or potential tissue
damage or described in terms of such damage; sudden
or slow onset of any intensity from mild to severe with
anticipated or predictable end and a duration of <6
months.
May be related to
• Disease process (compression/destruction of nerve
tissue, infiltration of nerves or their vascular supply,
obstruction of a nerve pathway, inflammation)
• Side effects of various cancer therapy agents
NURSING MANAGEMENT
Possibly evidenced by
• Reports of pain
• Self-focusing/narrowed focus
• Alteration in muscle tone; facial mask of pain
• Distraction/guarding behaviors
• Autonomic responses, restlessness (acute pain)
Desired Outcomes
• Report maximal pain relief/control with minimal interference
with ADLs.
• Follow prescribed pharmacological regimen.
• Demonstrate use of relaxation skills and diversional activities as
indicated for individual situation.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Acute Pain
• Determine pain history (location of pain, frequency,
duration, and intensity using numeric rating scale (0–10
scale), or verbal rating scale (“no pain” to “excruciating
pain”) and relief measures used. Believe patient’s
report. To note whether the pain is acute or chronic.
• Determine timing or precipitants of “breakthrough” pain
when using around-the-clock agents, whether oral, IV, or
patch medications.
• Evaluate and be aware of painful effects of particular
therapies (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy,
biotherapy). Provide information to patient and SO
about what to expect.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Acute Pain
• Provide nonpharmacological comfort measures
(massage, repositioning, backrub) and diversional
activities (music, television)
• Encourage use of stress management skills or
complementary therapies (relaxation techniques,
visualization, guided imagery, biofeedback, laughter,
music, aromatherapy, and therapeutic touch).
• Provide cutaneous stimulation (heat or cold, massage).
• Evaluate pain relief and control at regular intervals.
Adjust medication regimen as necessary. (Goal:
maximum pain control with minimum interference with
ADLS)
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Acute Pain
• Inform patient and SO of the expected therapeutic
effects and discuss management of side effects
• Discuss use of additional alternative or complementary
therapies (acupuncture and acupressure).
• Administer analgesics as indicated
– Opioids: codeine, morphine (MS Contin), oxycodone
(oxycontin) hydrocodone (Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid),
methadone (Dolophine), fentanyl (Duragesic); oxymorphone
(Numorphan);
– Note: Addiction to or dependency on drug is not a concern.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Acute Pain
– Acetaminophen (Tylenol); and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
– piroxicam (Feldene)
– indomethacin (Indocin)
• Corticosteroids:
dexamethasone (Decadron)
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Altered Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements
– Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements:Intake of
nutrients insufficient to meet metabolic needs.
• May be related to
• Hypermetabolic state associated with cancer
• Consequences of chemotherapy, radiation surgery, e.g
anorexia, gastric irriatation, taste distortions, nausea
• Emotional distress, fatigue, poorly controlled pain
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Altered Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements
Possibly evidenced by:
• Reported inadequate food intake, altered taste sensation, loss of
interest in food, perceived/ actual inability to ingest food
• body weight 20% or more under ideal for height and frame, decreased
subcutaneous fat/muscle mass
• sore/ inflamed buccal acitivity
• diarrhea and or constipation, abdominal cramping
Desired outcome
• demonstrate stable weight/ progressive weight gain toward goal with
normalization of laboratory values and be free of signs of malnutrition
• verbalize understanding of individual interferences to adequate intake
• participate in specific interventions to stimulate appetite. Increase
dietary intake.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Altered Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements
• Monitor daily food intake; have patient keep food diary as
indicated.
• Measure height, weight, and tricep skinfold thickness (or other
anthropometric measurements as appropriate). Ascertain
amount of recent weight loss. Weigh daily or as indicated.
• Assess skin and mucous membranes for pallor, delayed wound
healing, enlarged parotid glands. (protein-calorie malnutrition)
• Encourage patient to eat high-calorie, nutrient-rich diet, with
adequate fluid intake. Encourage use of supplements and
frequent or smaller meals spaced throughout the day.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Altered Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements
• Create pleasant dining atmosphere; encourage patient to share
meals with family and friends.
• Encourage open communication regarding anorexia. (not just
to the patient, but also to the significant others.
• Adjust diet before and immediately after treatment (clear, cool
liquids, light or bland foods, candied ginger, dry crackers, toast,
carbonated drinks). Give liquids 1 hr before or 1 hr after meals.
• Control environmental factors (strong or noxious odors or
noise). Avoid overly sweet, fatty, or spicy foods.
• Encourage use of relaxation techniques, visualization, guided
imagery, moderate exercise before meals.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Altered Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements
• Administer antiemetic on a regular schedule before or during
and after administration of antineoplastic agent as appropriate.
• Evaluate effectiveness of antiemetic.
• Hematest stools, gastric secretions.
• Review laboratory studies as indicated (total lymphocyte count,
serum transferrin, and albumin or prealbumin).
• Refer to dietitian or nutritional support team.
• Insert and maintain NG or feeding tube for enteric feedings, or
central line for total parenteral nutrition(TPN) if indicated.
(severe malnutrition- loss of 25%-30% body weight in 2months)
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Fatigue
• Fatigue: An overwhelming, sustained sense of
exhaustion and decreased capacity for physical and
mental work at usual level.
May be related to:
• Decreased metabolic energy production, increased
energy requirement (hypermetabolic state and effects of
treatment)
• Overwhelming psychological/emotional demands
• Altered body chemistry: side effects of pain and other
medications, chemotherapy
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Fatigue
Possibly evidenced by:
• Unremitting/ overwhelming lack of energy, inability to
maintain usual routine, decreased
performance,impaired ability to concentrate, lethargy/
listlessness
• Disinterest in surroundings
• Desired outcomes:
• Report improved sense of energy
• Perform ADLs and participate in desired activities at
level of ability.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Fatigue
• Have patient rate fatigue, using a numeric scale, if possible, and
the time of day when it is most severe.
• Plan care to allow for rest periods. Schedule activities for
periods when patient has most energy. Involve patient and SO
in schedule planning.
• Establish realistic activity goals with patient.
• Assist with self-care needs when indicated; keep bed in low
position, pathways clear of furniture; assist with ambulation.
• Encourage patient to do whatever possible (self-bathing, sitting
up in chair, walking). Increase activity level as individual is able.
• Monitor physiological response to activity (changes in BP, heart
and respiratory rate).
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Fatigue
• Perform pain assessment and provide pain
management.
• Provide supplemental oxygen as indicated.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Risk for Infection
• At increased risk for being invaded by pathogenic
organisms.
Risk factors may include
• Inadequate secondary defenses and immunosuppression, e.g., bone
marrow suppression (dose-limiting side effect of both
chemotherapy and radiation).
• Malnutrition, chronic disease process
• Invasive procedures
Desired Outcomes
• Remain afebrile and achieve timely healing appropriate.
• Identify and participate in interventions to prevent/ reduce risk of
infection.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Risk for Infection
• Promote good handwashing procedures by staff and visitors.
Screen and limit visitors who may have infections. Place in
reverse isolation as indicated.
• Emphasize personal hygiene.
• Monitor temperature.
• Assess all systems (skin, respiratory, genitourinary) for signs
and symptoms of infection on a continual basis.
• Reposition frequently; keep linens dry and wrinkle-free.
• Promote adequate rest and exercise periods.
• Stress importance of good oral hygiene.
• Avoid or limit invasive procedures. Adhere to aseptic
techniques.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Risk for Infection
• Monitor CBC with differential WBC and granulocyte
count, and platelets as indicated.
• Obtain cultures as indicated.
• Administer antibiotics as indicated.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• NURSING MANAGEMENT FOR LYMPHEDEMA
– Swelling that generally occurs in one of your arms or legs commonly caused by
the removal or damage to your lymph nodes as part of cancer treatment.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• NURSING MANAGEMENT FOR LYMPHEDEMA
There's no cure for lymphedema. Treatment focuses on reducing the
swelling and controlling the pain. Lymphedema treatments include:
• Exercises. Light exercises in which you move your affected limb may
encourage lymph fluid drainage and help prepare you for everyday
tasks, such as carrying groceries
• Wrapping your arm or leg. Bandaging your entire limb encourages
lymph fluid to flow back toward the trunk of your body. The bandage
should be tightest around your fingers or toes and loosen as it moves
up your arm or leg.
• Massage. A special massage technique called manual lymph drainage
may encourage the flow of lymph fluid out of your arm or leg
• Massage isn't for everyone. Avoid massage if you have a skin infection,
blood clots or active disease in the involved lymph drainage areas.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• NURSING MANAGEMENT FOR LYMPHEDEMA
• Pneumatic compression. A sleeve worn over your affected arm or leg
connects to a pump that intermittently inflates the sleeve, putting
pressure on your limb and moving lymph fluid away from your fingers
or toes.
• Compression garments. Long sleeves or stockings made to compress
your arm or leg encourage the flow of the lymph fluid out of your
affected limb. Wear a compression garment when exercising the
affected limb.
• Obtain a correct fit for your compression garment by getting
professional help.
• Complete decongestive therapy (CDT). This approach involves
combining therapies with lifestyle changes. Generally, CDT isn't
recommended for people who have high blood pressure, diabetes,
paralysis, heart failure, blood clots or acute infections.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• NURSING MANAGEMENT FOR LYMPHEDEMA
• In cases of severe lymphedema, your doctor may consider surgery to
remove excess tissue in your arm or leg to reduce swelling. There are
also newer techniques for surgery that might be appropriate, such as
lymphatic to venous anastomosis or lymph node transplants.
RESEARCH STUDY
Tumor smell reduction with antibacterial essential oils
• Brisbane, Australia
• The malodor associated with tumor necrosis in patients with
cancer is a serious problem confronting clinicians in oncology and
palliative care worldwide. 1Superficial necrotic malignant ulcers
often become superinfected with anaerobic bacteria such
as Bacterioides spp., Enterobacter spp., or Escherichia coli. 2
These infections may lead to an intensifying foul smell.
• Patients experiencing the emanation of foul odors often are
isolated.
• We have now started trials using pleasant-smelling antibacterial
essential oils. These essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil or tea
tree oil (Megabac®, Nicrosol Laboratories, Brisbane, Australia),
recently have been shown to have high antibacterial activity.
RESEARCH STUDY
• In a previous study, used essential oils to successfully treat
patients with chronic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus infection of diabetic feet, as well as patients with
tibial osteomyelitis. The application of these oils is
appreciated greatly by our patients, who favorably comment
on the fragrance of the eucalyptus-based oils and request
their continued use.
PROCEDURE:
• rinse the ulcers with 5 mL of an antibacterial essential oil mix
twice a day. The mixture consists of tea tree oil, grapefruit oil,
and eucalyptus oil (Megabac®).
• In addition, all patients receive the standard medication
schedule of clindamycin and chlorophyll, but they do not
receive topical Betadine solution.
RESEARCH STUDY
• Findings:
• Twenty-five patients have been treated with this method. The
foul smell associated with the necrotic ulcers normally recedes
entirely after 2–3 days of treatment.
• Signs of super-infection and pus secretion are often
significantly reduced in necrotic areas.
• Other patients have reported pain relief after rinsing necrotic
ulcer cavities, which may have been due to the anesthetic
properties of the eucalyptus oil.
• A major positive outcome of this treatment is that it addresses
social isolation among cancer patients.
• adverse effects: a bitter taste and occasionally slight burning
pain on application to the intraoral mucosa. Minor allergic side
effects.
RESEARCH STUDY
• We suggest that antibacterial essential oils should be
introduced into modern palliative care.
• These oils are inexpensive, available worldwide, and can
be administered easily. Given our promising initial
results, we have initiated a formal clinical study on this
subject and encourage other research groups to
investigate the use of these oils in oncology practice.
REFERENCES