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Notes

Breast CancerNCLEX image.jpg

Clinical Findings: Presence of palpable breast lump, inflammation of breast, dimpling, orange-peel appearance, distended vessels, and/or nipple changes or ulcerations.

Colorectal Cancer

Clinical Findings: Changes in bowel patterns such as constipation or diarrhea, bloody stools (may be bright red or tarry in appearance), abdominal cramping, nausea and vomiting, anorexia, feeling of fullness, and palpable abdominal masses.

Hodgkin's Disease (Lymphoma) NCLEX image.jpg

Clinical Findings: Painless swelling of lymph nodes of neck, axillae, and inguinal areas; also fatigue, fever and chills, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, anorexia, and pruritus.

LeukemiaNCLEX image.jpg

Clinical Findings: Fever, chills, persistent fatigue or weakness, frequent infections, anorexia, unexplained weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen, petechiae rash, night sweats, bone tenderness, abnormal bruising, and increased bleeding time.

Lung Cancer

Clinical Findings: Early-stage lung cancer is usually asymptomatic and discovered from abnormal findings on routine chest x-ray; advanced-stage lung cancer often manifests with persistent cough, chest pain, dyspnea, fatigue, weight loss, hemoptysis, and hoarseness.

Lymphoma

Hodgkin's disease and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, this page.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL)

Clinical Findings: Fatigue, unexplained weight loss, pruritus, fever, and night sweats.

Ovarian Cancer

Clinical Findings: Abdominal distention and palpable masses, unexplained weight loss, pelvic pain and discomfort, urinary urgency, and constipation.

Prostate Cancer

Clinical Findings: Possible urinary frequency, nocturia, dysuria, and hematuria. In advanced stages, Pts may complain of back pain and weight loss. Digital rectal examination reveals prostatic lesions, and lab tests show prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level >10 ng/mL (normal is <4 ng/mL).

Skin Cancer (Basal Cell and Squamous Cell)

Clinical Findings: Skin change (classic indication), especially new lesion with nonuniform shape and color or sore that will not heal.

Skin Cancer (Melanoma)

Clinical Findings: Change in color (usually dark blue to black), shape, or size of an existing mole or nevus.

Testicular Cancer

Clinical Findings: Earliest sign: small, hard, painless lump on testicle; other symptoms: low back pain, feeling of heaviness in scrotum, gynecomastia, and breast tenderness. Depending on stage of cancer, lymph nodes in surrounding areas may be enlarged.

Uterine Cancer

Clinical Findings: Most common symptom is abnormal, painless vaginal bleeding. Late symptoms include pain, fever, and bowel or bladder dysfunction. Palpation may reveal enlarged uterus and uterine masses. A mucosanguineous, odorous discharge may indicate vaginal metastasis.