Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson.
This chapter was about cancer and neoplasia. The chapter begins by introducing the benefits of massage for clients living with cancer. Although this type of therapy cannot specifically treat the body, but can help the client relax and possibly decrease some pain. Cancer is characterized by uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells that form a tumor (neoplasm). Sometimes tumors are benign instead of being malignant. There are many different types of cancer. Each cancer is named from which tissue they are derived. For instance, melanomas grow from melanocytes (skin cells that produced melanin). Cancer cells can spread through the body via the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. The most common types of cancers include lung, breast, colon and prostate. The definite cause of cancer is still undetermined. However, there are many possible causes including carcinogens, oncogenes, and oncoviruses. Some of the current treatments for cancer include surgical excision (to remove tumors, cancerous organs and lymph nodes), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and bone marrow transplant. The massage therapist can be very beneficial after many of these procedures. Table 12-2 (page 319) outlines the side effects from the listed treatments for cancer. It is important for the therapist to recognize some of these side effects. There are also medications used to manage cancer. These are found on table 12-3 on page 321. The chapter also introduces some guidelines when massaging a cancer patient. For instance, the therapist needs to obtain clearance from the primary health provider before beginning a treatment plan, and the therapist needs to be mindful of the symptoms the client is experiencing. A list of these guidelines can be found on pages 324 and 325. There are many types of cancer which are introduced on pages 325-337. Some of these cancers include bladder cancer, brain tumors, laryngeal cancer, Hodgkin’s disease, and pancreatic cancer. Figure 12-22 shows the stages of Hodgkin’s disease. In general all of the photos in this chapter were very helpful and informative. I learned a lot from this chapter that I didn’t know.
Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Cancer Malignancy, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists
