Help with Cancer pt....

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HEY GUYS! I need some help!!!! Im a student nurse and i haven't had any experience with cancer pt. and today I received a pt who Dx is Epiglottis CA SCCA stage 4. Pt has a trach, PEG tube, and foley. I am just a little confused because this pt has been in the hospital for 5 days and has yet to receive a biopsy or any cancer Tx. Just pain and NV meds. Am I missing something here? :banghead:

If this helps at all

LABS: high WBC, MCV, MCH, RDW, neutrophils, Calcium

low RBC, lymphs.

No other tests were done

Can you tell me everything you know about epiglottis CA, apparently it isn't common.... Hopefully someone out there has seen this

Along with nursing interventions and key problems to address....

ANY help is greatly appreciated! :bow:

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It may be that they are providing comfort care only. Epiglottic cancers can have a dismal prognosis (especially at Stage IV) and can involve quite a bit of discomfort. When faced with a situation where a cure is not likely, some patients choose to avoid the side effects, expense and time involved in aggressive cancer treatment.

Here's a good article on different types of supraglottic cancers:

http://www.emedicine.com/ent/topic687.htm

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yes, as explained by the previous poster...may well be palliative care at this stage.

2. the high wbc probably indicates infection and as you will learn...active chemo

is usually not used until said infection is cleaned up or u will have rampant infection.

3. the high wbc may also be linked to decadron if they are using steroids to manage obstruction/pain

from his cancer. steroids are used for symtom management in cancer care as well as for chemo protocols

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