|
1. superior vena cava
2. inferior vena cava
3. right atrium
4. tricuspid valve
5. right ventricle
6. semilunar valve/pulmonary valve
7. pulmonary artery
8. pulmonary vein
9. left atrium
10. mitral valve
11. left ventricle
12. aortic valve
13. aorta
Topic Terminal Illnesses
Vocabulary
Euthanasia
Involuntary Passive (pulling the plug)
Involuntary Active (lethal injection)
Voluntary Active (assisted suicide)
Voluntary Passive (following the patients written wish)
DNR - Do Not Recusitate
Brain Death
5 Criterion of (US and other countries excluding Japan)
A complete and irreversible loss of all brain and brain stem functions
Absolute Apnea
No spontaneous movements
Brainstem areflexia
CT scan
EEG
Organ Donor
Huntingtons Disease
Alzheimers Disease
Cancer Therapy
Early Detection.
Conversation Practice
Doctor and Resident.
Doctor - We have experienced an increase in our patients in incurable illness. Ah, here we have arrived in the AIDS wing.
Resident - Most here look like they are in the last stages of symptomatic AIDS.
Doctor - Yes. It is due to the advances in retroviral therapy that they are able to live so long. But Antiretroviral Cocktail, composed of AZT and protease inhibitors, so widely available in the States, is not available in Japan. OI (Opportunistic Infections) like Pneumocystis carinii and Toxoplasmosis are the main culprits in the last stages of symptomatic AIDS. By the way, do you remember the three measurements of T-lymphocytes in an HIV patient?
Resident - Uh. Absolute CD4, CD4 percentage and...
Doctor - It's a miracle you ever graduated from medical school. CD4:CD8 ratio.
Resident - Sorry.
Doctor - Here is where the results of the PCR test are processed.
Resident - The test to measure viral load.
Doctor - That's right. Now, what is the test protocol for identifying HIV?
Resident - PCR test and ELISA, then western blots.
Doctor - Name 3 antiretroviral drugs
Resident - AZT, DDI, DDC.
Doctor - Ah, here we are - here is the counseling center for seropositive HIV patients. After all, all we can do is give them more knowledge, help them to live a healthy last years.
Resident - Let's hope we will find a cure.
Doctor - Well, there is always hope, even for you.
Topic - Cancer/General Methods of Treatment/Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
Vocabulary and General Information
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Lymphatic system
Lymph Node
Biopsy
Laparatomy
Lymphangiography
CT
MRI
Aggressive lymphoma
Indolent lymphoma
Hematologist
Medical Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
The most common symptom of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin.
A biopsy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is taken from a lymph node usually, but other tissues may be sampled as well. A laparatomy may be performed to check tissues in the abdomen.
The lymphatic system is a part of the body's immune system. The lymph system includes a network of thin tubes that branch, like blood vessels, all over the body. Along this network of vessels are small organs called lymph nodes. Lymphatic vessels carry lymph, a colorless watery fluid that contains lymphocytes. Lymphatic tissue is found in the stomach, intestines, skin.
Phrases from the Patient
What kind of Non-Hogdkin's lymphoma do I have?
What is the stage of the disease?
What are my treatment choices?
How long will treatment last?
What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
Are new treatments being studied? Would a clinical trial be appropriate?
What is the treatment likely to cost?
What side effects should I report to you?
Conversation Practice
Doctor and Patient
Doctor - I hope that we will be able to give you the best treatment possible. We will concentrate on systemic treatment, as the stage of your lymphoma is advanced.
Patient - I see.
Doctor - There are five kinds of therapy which are applicable to a patient in your position. They are radiation therapy, chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, biological therapies, and surgery.
Patient - Okay. Sounds fair enough.
Doctor - Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy are the most common treatments for non-Hogdkin's lymphoma. They are the most effective, but have side effects. For that reason treatment is conducted in cycles.
Chemotherapy is usually administered intravenously and involves anti-cancer drugs which affect cells that divide rapidly. These also include blood cells, hair cells, and cells which fight infection. The patient is more likely to get infections, may bruise or bleed easily, and feel unusually weak and tired.
In some persons chemotherapy causes a temporary or permanent loss of fertility. For men, sperm banking before treatment may be an option. Women may experience a temporary halt in menstruation.
Patient - Well, I'll be sure to visit a sperm bank in any case.
Doctor - Good. I'll recommend a good one for you. Now, Radiation therapy's side effects depend on the treatment dose and the part of the body that is treated. Radiation therapy may cause discomfort in the area treated. For example, when the chest and neck are treated, some patients may have a dry, sore throat and trouble swallowing. Radiation therapy to the abdomen causes nausea, vomiting, or urinary discomfort. Often, changes in diet or medicine can ease these problems.
Patient - That's good.
|
