? Flashcards
What is cancer grading?
indicator of how anaplastic the growth is
1 (most differentiated) –> 4 (most anaplastic)
What is cancer staging?
indicates the tumor size and invasiveness
1 (in situ) –> 4 (distant mets- BAD)
What is the TNM system?
T (tumor)- 1-4
N (nodes) - 0-2
M (mets) - yes or no - 0 or 1
What is an adduct?
a modified nucleotide that causes either a blockade of replication by DNA pol 1, or that causes DNA pol 1 to “guess” which nucleotide to pair the weird one with
What is a direct carcinogen?
one that directly interacts with DNA
What is an indirect carcinogen?
one that is metabolized by the body into a carcinogen by class 1 liver enzymes (CYP450) in the ER
What is a complete carcinogen?
one that is sufficient to cause cancer by itself
What is an incomplete carcinogen?
one that needs a tumor promotor to cause cancer
What are promotors?
hormones (estrogen --> breast cancer) inflammation H. pylori Hepatitis viruses gallstones
What is CEA?
Carcinoembryonic Antigen. An ‘oncofetal’
glycoprotein: it is normally expressed only during
embryonic development, but many cancer types
reactivate the gene (colon, breast, pancreas, etc)
*** not used much because is usually expressed in
advanced cancers.
What is AFP?
Alpha-Fetoprotein. A fetal protein produced by the liver. Quite powerful for detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) and Germ Cell Tumors.
What is CA125?
Is a circulating antigen present in more than 80% of nonmucinous ovarian carcinoma
What is TPA?
Tissue Polypeptide Antigen. A protein of
unknown function produced in high amounts by rapidly
proliferating cells. Used for diagnosis of lung, bladder
and other cancers
This is a protein of unknown function produced in high amounts by rapidly proliferating cells. Used for diagnosis of lung, bladder and other cancers
Tissue Polypeptide Antigen (TPA)
This is a circulating antigen present in more than 80% of nonmucinous ovarian carcinoma.
CA125
