Gastric Cancer Nursing Care Plan Notes

Description

It is also called malignant tumor of the stomach.
It is usually an adenocarcinoma.
It spreads rapidly to the lungs, lymph nodes, and liver.
Risk factors include chronic atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia; pernicious anemia or having had gastric resections (greater than 15 years prior); and adenomatous polyps.
This cancer is most common in men older than age 40 and in blacks.
Complications are hemorrhage and dumping syndrome from surgery or widespread metastasis and death.

Causes/ Risk Factors

No one knows why some people develop stomach cancer and others don’t. The number of people affected varies widely between different countries. For example, stomach cancer is far more common in Japan than in the UK. There is also evidence that people from poorer backgrounds are at increased risk.

There are a many other factors that increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.

Age. Stomach cancer is most common around the age of 60. It’s rare under the age of 40.
Gender. Men are around twice as likely to develop stomach cancer as women.
Helicobacter pylori infection. These bacteria live in the stomach lining of many people, and don’t usually cause any symptoms. However, the infection sometimes causes inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), indigestion and stomach ulcers. It is known to increase the risk of stomach cancer.
Diet. A diet high in salt and foods that are smoked or cured may increase the risk of stomach cancer. In particular, certain food preservative chemicals known as nitrosamines, which are found cured meats such as bacon and ham, may increase your chance of developing stomach cancer.
Family history. Some people inherit an increased risk of developing stomach cancer.
Type A blood group. Some research indicates that people who have type A blood are at higher risk of developing stomach cancer.
Smoking. When you smoke, you swallow small amounts of tobacco smoke, which increases your risk of getting stomach cancer.
Atrophic gastritis. This condition causes the lining of the stomach to waste away. It has also been linked with an increased risk of stomach cancer.
Pernicious anaemia. This is type of anaemia raises your risk of stomach cancer.

Assessment

Most often, the patient presents with the same symptoms as gastric ulcer. Later, evaluation shows the lesion to be malignant.
Gastric fullness (early satiety), dyspepsia lasting more than 4 weeks, progressive loss of appetite are initial symptoms.
Stool samples are positive for occult blood.
Vomiting may occur and may have coffee-ground appearance.
Later manifestations include pain in black or epigastric area (often induced by eating, relieved by antacids or vomiting); weight loss; hemorrhage; gastric obstruction.

Diagnostic Evaluation

Upper GI X-ray with contrast media may initially show suspicious ulceration that requires further evaluation.
Endoscopy with biopsy and cytology confirms malignant disease.
Imaging studies (bone scan, liver scan, CT scan) helps determining metastasis.
Complete blood count (CBC) may indicate anemia from blood loss.

Primary Nursing Diagnosis

Pain (acute) related to gastric erosion

Therapeutic Intervention / Medical Management

The only successful treatment of gastric cancer is gastric resection, surgical removal of part of the stomach with involved lymph nodes; postoperative staging is done and further treatment may be necessary.
Surgical options include proximal or distal subtotal gastric resection; total gastrectomy (includes adjacent organs such as tail of pancreas, portion of liver, duodenum); or palliative surgery such as subtotal gastrectomy with gastroenterostomy to maintain continuity of the GI tract.
Surgery may be combined with chemotherapy to provide palliation and prolong life.

Pharmacologic Intervention

Chemotherapeutic agents used as adjuvant (in addition to) or neoadjuvant (before surgery) often in combination: fluorouracil, doxorubicin, methyl-CCNU, cisplatin, methotrexate, etoposide to treat cancer that has metastasized to organs beyond stomach; shrink tumors before surgery.
B vitamin complex tablet Combat vitamin B12deficiency and megaloblastic anemia from lack of intrinsic factor
Narcotic analgesics manage pain, side effects of treatment drugs such as morphine, meperidine which increase patient comfort during end-stage disease
Other Medications: Antiemetics may be used to control nausea, which increases as the tumor enlarges. In the advanced stages, the physician may prescribe sedatives, narcotics, and tranquilizers to increase the patient’s comfort. Antispasmodics and antacids may also help relieve GI discomfort.

Nursing Intervention

Monitor nutritional intake and weigh patient regularly.
Monitor CBC and serum vitamin B12 levels to detect anemia, and monitor albumin and prealbumin levels to determine if protein supplementation is needed.
Provide comfort measures and administer analgesics as ordered.
Frequently turn the patient and encourage deep breathing to prevent pulmonary complications, to protect skin, and to promote comfort.
Maintain nasogastric suction to remove fluids and gas in the stomach and prevent painful distention.
Provide oral care to prevent dryness and ulceration.
Keep the patient nothing by mouth as directed to promote gastric wound healing. Administer parenteral nutrition, if ordered.
When nasogastric drainage has decreased and bowel sounds have returned, begin oral fluids and progress slowly.
Avoid giving the patient high-carbohydrate foods and fluids with meals, which may trigger dumping syndrome because of excessively rapid emptying of gastric contents.
Administer protein and vitamin supplements to foster wound repair and tissue building.
Eat small, frequent meals rather than three large meals.
Reduce fluids with meals, but take them between meals.
Stress the importance of long term vitamin B12 injections after gastrectomy to prevent surgically induced pernicious anemia.
Encourage follow-up visits with the health care provider and routine blood studies and other testing to detect complications or recurrence.

Documentation Guidelines

Physical findings related to gastric cancer:Epigastric discomfort,dyspepsia,anorexia,nausea, sense of fullness, gas pains, unusual tiredness, abdominal pains, constipation, weight loss,
vomiting,hematemesis,blood in the stool,dysphagia,jaundice,ascites,bone pain
GI decompression data: Irrigation and patency of tube, assessment of bowel sounds and passage of gas,complaints of nausea,amount and description of gastric fluid output
Presence of postoperative complications: Hemorrhage, obstruction, anastomotic leaks, infection,peritonitis
Presence of postoperative dumping syndrome and associated patient symptoms

Discharge and Home Healthcare Guidelines

Teach the patient the importance of compliance with palliative and follow-up care. Be sure the patient understands all medications, including the dosage, route, action, and adverse effects.
Teach the patient the signs and symptoms of infection and how to care for the incision. Instruct the patient to notify the physician if signs of infection occur.
Encourage the patient to seek psychosocial support through local support groups (e.g.,I Can Cope),clergy,or counseling services. If appropriate,suggest hospice services.
Teach the patient methods to enhance nutritional intake to maintain ideal body weight. Several small meals a day may be tolerated better than three meals a day. Take liquid supplements and vitamins as prescribed. Refer the patient to the dietitian for a consultation. Teach family members and friends prevention strategies. Strategies include increasing the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C; maintaining adequate protein intake; and decreasing intake of salty, starchy, smoked, and nitrite- preserved foods.