The incidence of death from cancer is decreasing, but it will always have a significant impact in nursing practice. Mortality has declined by 66% over the past 30 years, from a 5-year survival rate of less than 50% to approximately 83% today (Barbel & Peterson, 2015). The article, “Recognizing subtle signs and symptoms of pediatric cancer”, discusses the causes and risks, signs and symptoms, details of the different forms of cancer, as well as some nursing implications in regards to pediatric cancer.
Childhood cancers usually involve the hematopoietic system (leukemia), brain, and other parts of the nervous system, soft tissues, kidneys (Wilms tumor), and bone (Porth, 2015). There are many risk factors relating to the environment, genetics, and/or microbes. When it comes to the environment, radiation seems to be the sole …show more content…
Testing includes computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), biopsies and aspirations, lumbar puncture, ultrasounds, bone scan, complete blood counts and other lab levels and chest X-rays. Treatment usually includes surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation. Some cancers require specialized treatment such as in retinoblastomas, which require an enucleation, or osteosarcomas, which may require amputation. The most important job for a nurse with high-risk children is early detection and knowing the early signs to look for. Nurses also need to be aware of the diagnostic interval, which is the time between presentation of signs and symptoms and the diagnosis of cancer (Barbel, & Peterson, 2015). Another huge part of a nurse’s daily job with these children is support and advocacy. This article is very important to nursing practice because childhood cancer is a detrimental time in a child’s life. Although mortality has decreased, the incidence of cancer is still high. A nurse needs to understand how to care for not only these children, but for their families as
Childhood cancers usually involve the hematopoietic system (leukemia), brain, and other parts of the nervous system, soft tissues, kidneys (Wilms tumor), and bone (Porth, 2015). There are many risk factors relating to the environment, genetics, and/or microbes. When it comes to the environment, radiation seems to be the sole …show more content…
Testing includes computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), biopsies and aspirations, lumbar puncture, ultrasounds, bone scan, complete blood counts and other lab levels and chest X-rays. Treatment usually includes surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation. Some cancers require specialized treatment such as in retinoblastomas, which require an enucleation, or osteosarcomas, which may require amputation. The most important job for a nurse with high-risk children is early detection and knowing the early signs to look for. Nurses also need to be aware of the diagnostic interval, which is the time between presentation of signs and symptoms and the diagnosis of cancer (Barbel, & Peterson, 2015). Another huge part of a nurse’s daily job with these children is support and advocacy. This article is very important to nursing practice because childhood cancer is a detrimental time in a child’s life. Although mortality has decreased, the incidence of cancer is still high. A nurse needs to understand how to care for not only these children, but for their families as