ABPTS Oncology flashcards
ABPTS Oncology · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- TNM Staging
- A system classifying cancer by tumor size/invasion (T), regional lymph node involvement (N), and distant metastasis (M). Higher combined stage generally indicates more advanced disease and worse prognosis.
- ECOG Performance Status
- A 0-4 scale describing functional capacity, from fully active (0) to completely disabled (4). It guides treatment intensity and rehabilitation eligibility.
- Spinal Cord Compression
- An oncologic emergency from tumor or fracture compressing the cord, causing back pain, weakness, sensory loss, or bowel/bladder dysfunction. Urgent medical referral is required.
- Febrile Neutropenia
- Fever with a low absolute neutrophil count, typically below 500-1000 cells/mcL. It is a medical emergency requiring urgent evaluation and antibiotics.
- Cancer-Related Fatigue
- Persistent, distressing tiredness disproportionate to activity that is not relieved by rest and interferes with usual function. It differs from ordinary fatigue in duration and severity.
- Lymphedema Measurement
- Limb circumference or water displacement used to quantify swelling. An interlimb difference of about 2 cm is a common diagnostic threshold for upper extremity lymphedema.
- Modifiable Cancer Risk Factors
- Behaviors and exposures that increase cancer risk and can be changed, including tobacco, alcohol, obesity, inactivity, UV radiation, and certain infections.
- Physical Activity and Cancer Risk
- Regular activity is associated with lower risk of colon, breast, and endometrial cancers and with improved survival in several survivor populations.
- HPV Vaccination
- A vaccine preventing infection with high-risk human papillomavirus types linked to cervical, oropharyngeal, and anal cancers. It is a primary prevention strategy.
- Prognosis Modifiers
- Factors influencing expected outcome beyond diagnosis, including stage, grade, performance status, comorbidity, and response to initial therapy.
- Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity
- A dose-dependent heart muscle injury from chemotherapy agents such as doxorubicin, causing cardiomyopathy and heart failure risk. Cardiac monitoring is required.
- Radiation Fibrosis
- Late radiation injury causing tissue scarring and reduced flexibility in the treated field. It can produce lymphedema, joint stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
- Aromatase Inhibitor Effects
- Hormone therapy for breast cancer that lowers estrogen and commonly causes arthralgia, hot flashes, and bone loss with increased fracture risk.
- Immune-Related Adverse Events
- Toxicities from checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, including colitis, pneumonitis, and arthritis, caused by immune activation against normal tissues.
- Trastuzumab Cardiotoxicity
- A HER2-targeted therapy associated with reduced cardiac function, requiring baseline and periodic cardiac monitoring during treatment.
- Sentinel Node Biopsy
- Removal of the first draining lymph node to detect cancer spread. It carries lower lymphedema risk than full axillary lymph node dissection.
- Peripheral Neuropathy Screening
- Assessment using monofilament, vibration, proprioception, and balance testing to detect chemotherapy-induced sensory loss and fall risk.
- Post-Mastectomy Shoulder Deficits
- Reduced shoulder range of motion and strength common after breast surgery and radiation. Goniometry and dynamometry document baseline and change.
- Bone Metastasis Precautions
- Avoid high-impact and torsional loading when bone lesions are present. Monitor for fracture signs such as new focal pain or night pain.
- Complete Decongestive Therapy
- A lymphedema treatment combining manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging/garments, exercise, and skin care in two phases.
- Prehabilitation
- Exercise and education before surgery or chemotherapy to improve functional reserve and potentially reduce postoperative complications and length of stay.
- Exercise in Lymphedema
- Gradual resistance and aerobic training are safe in breast cancer survivors with lymphedema when progressed slowly and monitored for swelling changes.
- Palliative Rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation focused on function, comfort, and quality of life rather than disease modification, often in advanced or metastatic cancer.
- EORTC QLQ-C30
- A validated quality-of-life questionnaire for cancer patients covering physical, role, emotional, and social function plus symptom scales.
- Six-Minute Walk Test
- A functional capacity measure recording distance walked in six minutes. It assesses aerobic endurance in cancer survivors and tracks change over time.
- MCID
- The minimal clinically important difference is the smallest change in an outcome score that patients perceive as meaningful, used to interpret results beyond statistics.
- Informed Consent
- A process disclosing risks, benefits, and alternatives so a patient can voluntarily agree to or refuse care or research participation.
- Interprofessional Referral
- Directing patients to other team members when findings exceed physical therapy scope, such as new neurologic deficits or suspected oncologic emergencies.
- Patient Autonomy
- The principle that patients have the right to make informed decisions about their care, including refusing recommended interventions.
- Teach-Back Method
- A technique where patients explain instructions in their own words to confirm understanding, improving adherence and catching misunderstandings.
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Integrating the best available research evidence, clinician expertise, and patient values and preferences into clinical decisions.
- Health Literacy
- The capacity to obtain and understand health information to make decisions. Plain language and reinforcement improve comprehension and adherence.