10 Effects of neoplasms on the host Flashcards
What do malignant neoplasms have the ability to do ? which contrast benign neoplasms which grow but remain ….
spread , invade locally, distantly from the site of origin
localised
What are the hallmarks of malignant neoplasia ?
- growth signals
- growth
- avoid programmed cell death (apoptosis)
- limitless replication potential
- sustained angiogenesis
- local tissue invasion and distant blood bourne/lymphatic/transcoelomic metastasis
What enables cancer cells to acquire an autonomus drive to proliferate ?
activation of oncogenes such as ras or myc
How do cancer cells bypass the normal inhibition of growth ?
inactivating tumour suppressor genes such as Rb that normally inhibit cell growth
In what ways can cancer cells invade and spread to other parts of the body ?
- blood-borne metastasis
- lymphatic metastasis
- trans coelomic metastasis
What are the key features of malignant tumor cells under the microscope ?
- large, variably shaped nuclei
- many dividing cells + disorganised arrangement
- variation in size & shape
- loss of normal features
How are the effects that a patient who has neoplasm categorised into ?
- local
- distant
- systemic
What are the local effects a patient with neoplasm may have ?
- mechanical pressure or obstruction
- tissue destruction/erosion/invasion
mechanical pressure or obstruction depends on tumour…. ?
site and size
what symptoms are associated with a lump caused by a tumor ?
pain and discomfort
A tumour may present as a lump , list some examples of lumps throughout the body ?
- breast
- neck/axillary/inguinal in lymphoma or if spread to lymph nodes has occured
- salivary gland
- scrotal (part of testicle)
How my lumps in the body be found in a patient ?
through :
* examination
* screening
* imaging
What is not much present at the beginning and not often a presenting symptom of patients with neoplasm ?
pain
Which cancers are suggested by new onset of abdominal discomfort ?
- gastric
- pancreatic
- colonic
Pain does develop with …. of the tumour
spread/growth
Pain through the forms of the following imply what tumour or malignancy ?
1. headache
2. bone pain
- brain tumours
- bone tumours or haemotological malignancy
What condition can result from bronchial obstruction by a tumor ?
pneumonia
what difficulty might a person face if a tumor obstructs their gastrointestinal (GI) tract, specifically the esophagus ?
swallowing
what condition can occur if a tumor obstructs the common bile duct ?
jaundice
what symptoms might result from an intra-cranial space-occupying lesion ?
raised intracranial pressure, seizures and loss of function
what complications can arise from ureteric obstruction caused by a tumor ?
urinary tract infection and renal failure
GI tract obstruction is due to what?
narrowing of the lumen by the mass
what is perforation in GI tract ?
a medical emergency where…
there’s a hole / tear in the wall of any part of the GI system including stomach , small intestine, large intestine or other related organs
what is intussusception in GI tract ? what can it cause ?
when a part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part of the intestine , like the segments of a telescope - this can cause blockage
What is herniation of GI tract ?
when part of the intestine protrudes through a weakened opening in the abdominal wall or other surrounding tissue
What’s a complication of herniation in GI tract ?
strangulation of bowel cutting of blodo supply leading to ischemia & necrosis if. not treated promptly
what are adhesions in GI tract?
bands of fibrous scar tissue that form between abdominal tissues and organs often as a result of surgery , infection , inflammation
What are volvulus in GI tract ?
twisting of a part of the intestine around itself or the mesentery that supports it, causing an obstruction
Between bowel obstruction and intussusception, which is more commonly caused by tumors?
bowel obstruction
In the context of tumor-induced obstructions, which is more commonly affected: the small bowel or the large bowel?
small bowel
What severe complication can occur if a tumor erodes through the bowel?
perforation
What type of tissue response can tumors cause, leading to additional complications?
fibrous tissue response, leading to the formation of adhesions
What are some possible symptoms a patient with colon cancer could present with ?
- may be none
- new and persistent (over 2 or 3 weeks) change in bowel habits
- rectal bleeding or blood in stool
- vomiting
- new and/or persistent abdominal discomfort e.g. cramps, bloating, gas or pain
- tenesmus (feeling bowels don’t empty completely )
- weakness or fatigue
- unexplained weight loss
What type of cancer is commonly associated with causing jaundice due to biliary obstruction?
Carcinoma of the head of the pancreas
What happens to the biliary system above the site of obstruction in cases of carcinoma of the head of the pancreas?
it becomes dilated
Which organ often shows dilatation in addition to the biliary system in patients with carcinoma of the head of the pancreas?
gall bladder
Which blood levels are elevated due to the obstruction caused by carcinoma of the head of the pancreas?
Raised blood conjugated bilirubin levels
What enzyme level in the blood is typically raised in patients with biliary obstruction due to carcinoma of the head of the pancreas?
Raised alkaline phosphatase
What may be the symptoms and signs that a patient with pancreatic cancer might have ?
FUJ VALID
symptoms
* Unexplained weight loss
* Fatigue
* Vomiting
* Vague abdominal pain
* Itchiness
signs
* Light coloured stool
* Dark yellow urine
* Jaundice
What is peau d’orange a condition of ?
where the skin of the breast takes on the appearance and texture similar to that of an orange peel, characterised by dimpled or pitted skin
space occupying lesion is mostly in reference to ?
brain & spinal cord
what may a space occupying lesion be ?
a tumour or maybe something else like a brain abscess
Why is the skull considered a rigid structure in adults?
it is made of bone and has a fixed volume and capacity
What are the main contents inside the skull?
the meninges (coverings of the brain), the brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and blood vessels
What happens to intracranial pressure if there is a growing mass inside the skull?
Any growing mass inside the skull will increase intracranial pressure
How can a growing mass affect the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
It can can obstruct the flow of CSF leading to increased pressure
What effect can a tumor, also known as a space-occupying lesion, have on brain tissue?
can press on brain tissue, causing damage and increased intracranial pressure.
Why can a meningioma, despite being benign, be fatal?
it can increase intracranial pressure or press on critical areas of the brain, disrupting vital functions
What are possible general & neurological symptoms a patient with an intracranial tumor (meningioma) may complain of ?
- general
* headache - worse in early morning/night-time
* nausea & vomiting - neurological
* Visual changes: Seeing double (diplopia).
* Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
* Memory loss
* Seizures
* Weakness
* Speech and language difficulty
What are possible symptoms a patient with an intracranial tumor (meningioma) may complain of that is not general e.g. headache , nausea and vomiting or neurological ?
behavioral + cognitive:
* behavioral and mood changes
* work/school problems
sensory:
* sensory disturbances
other:
* loss of appetite
What types of primary tumors can lead to renal failure?
- renal tumours
- nephromblastoma
- uterine cancer
- ovarian cancer
- prostate cancer
Which parts of the urinary system can be affected by tumors leading to renal failure?
Any part of the urinary system can be affected, including the renal pelvis, ureters, bladder, and urethra
What is para-proteinaemia ?
an abnormal increase in paraproteins (also known as monoclonal or M proteins a type of WBC responsible for producing antibodies) in the blood
Which type of cancer is para-proteinaemia associated with in the context of renal failure ?
myeloma
What is tumor lysis syndrome ?
condition caused by the rapid breakdown of tumor cells, leading to the release of their contents into the bloodstream