A patient has just been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the neck. While the nurse is doing health education, the patient asks, "Does this kind of cancer tend to spread to other parts of the body?" What is the nurse's best response?
A) "In many cases, this type of cancer spreads to other parts of the body."
B) "This cancer usually does not spread to distant sites in the body."
C) "You will have to speak to your oncologist about that."
D) "Squamous cell carcinoma is nothing to be concerned about, so try to focus on your health."
Ans: B
Feedback:
The incidence of distant metastasis with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (including larynx cancer) is relatively low. The patient's prognosis is determined by the oncologist, but the patient has asked a general question and it would be inappropriate to refuse a response. The nurse must not downplay the patient's concerns.
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