Question

Mrs. Ann thompson, age 52, felt a small hard, painless lump in the upper outer quadrant, of her left breast during a regular breast exam. Her mom and cousin had breast cancer. She has no children and still has a mentrual cycle. After seeing her doctorand having a mammogram , biopsy was scheduled., which confirmed nodule was maligant.

only two axillary lymph nodes were positive for tumor cells. the prognosis appeared to be good, but the oncologist recommended a course of radiation and chemo therapy (refer to chapter 20)

7. explain why additional treatment is recommended in this case?

Explain why Mrs. A.T. will have an increased risk of infection after she starts radiation and chemotherapy?

Explain why she will have to undergo frequent mammograms and checkups for the next few years?

Answer 1

7. Additional treatment is recommended in this case such a case we may recommend a partial mastectomy, quadrantectomy, as the cancer is invasive and to stop its spread additional treatments are recommended.

Mrs. A.T. will have an increased risk of infection after she starts radiation and chemotherapy as it leads to a destruction of the white blood cells i.e. low WBC count.

She will have to undergo frequent mammograms and checkups for the next few years to ensure that the cancerous cells are all killed and there are no cancerous cells as it may reoccur; as it usually happens.