0602 - Introduction to neoplasia - EG

Question 1

Define tumour.

Answer 1

A “swelling”. May be non-neoplastic or neoplastic.

Question 2

Define neoplasm.

Answer 2

A “new growth”. An abnormal mass of tissue, the growth of which exceeds and is uncoordinated with that of normal tissues and persists in the same excessive manner after cessation of the stimuli which evoked the changes. Believed to by due to accumulation of somatic mutations that alter regulatory processes.The abnormal mass is purposeless, preys on the host and is virtually autonomous.

Question 3

What is oncogenesis?

Answer 3

The process of forming a neoplasm.

Question 4

What is the most unique feature of malignant neoplasms?

Answer 4

metastasis

Question 5

Malignant cells tend to have cytological and architectural changes to that of normal tissue. List the (microscopic) cytological features of malignant cells. (6)

Answer 5

(1) cellular pleomorphism - variable cell size and shape. (2) nuclear pleomorphism - variable nuclear size and shape. (3) increased nuclear:cytoplasm ratio (N1:4 to 1:6; ratio may become 1:1). (4) Hyperchromitic nuclei - increased DNA as visualised as increased Haemotoxylin stain. (5) increased mitosis and abnormal mitosis (6) tumour giant cells

Question 6

Malignant cells tend to have cytological and architectural changes to that of normal tissue. List the (microscopic) architectural features of malignant cells and contrast this to benign.

Answer 6

Malignant cells have disordered arrangement of cells to one another and infiltrate other tissues, whereas benign cells tend to be more orderly and grow by expansion often within a capsule.

Question 7

Define differentiation and how it is used to describe neoplasms.

Answer 7

the extent to which cells resemble their normal counterpart (morphologically cytology and architecture and functionally) a neoplasm can be classified (referred to as grading of a neoplasm) as either well, moderately, or poorly differentiated. All benign are well differentiated. Well differentiated neoplasms will try to maintain original cell function.

Question 8

How does the rate of growth compare with benign to malignant neoplasms?

Answer 8

Benign are slow growing and malignant are fast growing (as a rule) the rate of growth correlates with blood supply, and fast growing neoplasms may undergo central necrosis due to rapid growth.

Question 9

What are the three pathways for metastasis to occur?

Answer 9

(1) seeding via body cavities (2) lymphatic spread (3) hematogenous spread

Question 10

What is the suffix for a benign neoplasm?

Answer 10

“oma”

Question 11

What is the name for a benign neoplasm of fibroblasts?

Answer 11

fibroma

Question 12

What is the name for a benign neoplasm of blood vessels?

Answer 12

angioma

Question 13

What is the name for a benign neoplasm of smooth muscle?

Answer 13

leiomyoma

Question 14

What is the name for a benign neoplasm with finger-like projections?

Answer 14

papilloma

Question 15

What is the name for a benign neoplasm that forms glands or originates from glands?

Answer 15

adenoma

Question 16

What is the name for a benign neoplasm that forms glands with cystic areas?

Answer 16

cystadenoma

Question 17

What is a fibroma?

Answer 17

benign neoplasm of fibroblasts

Question 18

What is an angioma?

Answer 18

benign neoplasm of blood vessels

Question 19

What is a leiomyoma?

Answer 19

benign neoplasm of smooth muscle

Question 20

What is a papilloma?

Answer 20

benign neoplasm with finger-like projections

Question 21

What is an adenoma?

Answer 21

benign neoplasm that forms glands or originates from glands

Question 22

What is a cytadenoma?

Answer 22

benign neoplasm that forms glands with cystic areas

Question 23

What is the suffix for a malignant neoplasm of mesenchymal origin?

Answer 23

sarcoma

Question 24

What is the suffic for a malignant neoplasm of epithelial origin?

Answer 24

carcinoma

Question 25

What is desmoplastic stroma?

Answer 25

a fibrous response made by malignant cells, aids support and increases blood supply to cells.

Question 26

Compare grading to staging.

Answer 26

Grading refers to the differentiation and staging refers to the level of invasion.

Question 27

Define dysplasia

Answer 27

An abnormality of development, growth, or differentiation

Question 28

What is a paraneoplastic syndrome?

Answer 28

A disease or symptom that is the consequence of cancer (ie cytokines from the cancer) in the body but unlike mass effect, is not due to the local presence of cancer cells.

Question 29

What is a malignant neoplasm of striated muscle known as?

Answer 29

rhabdomyosarcoma.