13 Neoplasia 1

Question 1

Define ‘Neoplasm’.

Answer 1

Abnomal growth of cells- persists after initial stimulus removed

Question 2

Define ‘Malignant Neoplasm’.

Answer 2

(Abnomal growth of cells- persists after initial stimulus removed) + invades surrounding tissue w./ potential spread to distant sites

Question 3

Define ‘Tumour’.

Answer 3

Clinically detectable lump/ swelling.

Question 4

Define ‘cancer’

Answer 4

Malignant neoplasm

Question 5

Define ‘metastasis’

Answer 5

Malignant neoplasm- spreads from original site to new non-contiguous site (secondary site)

Question 6

What is ‘dysplasia’?

Answer 6

Pre-neoplastic alteration- cells= disordered

Question 7

How is dysplasia different from neoplasia?

Answer 7

Dysplasia=reversible, neoplasia isn’t

Question 8

What’s the difference between benign and malignant neoplasms?

Answer 8

Benign- remain confined to site of origin don’t produce matastases Malignant- have potential to metastasise

Question 9

How do benign and malignant neoplasms appear different to the naked eye?

Answer 9

Benign- grow- confined area- pushing outer margin (pseudo capsule) Malignant- irregular outer margin, shape + potential areas of necrosis/ ulceration

Question 10

How do benign and malignant neoplasms appear different under the microscope?

Answer 10

Benign= well differentiated (resemble parent tissue) Malignant= range- poorly–> well differentiated

Question 11

What are anaplastic cells?

Answer 11

Cells- no resemblance to any tissue

Question 12

How do cells with WORSENING differentiation appear under the microscope?

Answer 12

-Increased nuclear size to cytoplasmic ratio -Increased nuclear staining (hyperchromasia) -More mitotic figures -Increased variation- size and shape of cells and nuclei (pleomorphism)

Question 13

If a neoplasm is labelled as ‘high grade’ by a clinician, what does this mean?

Answer 13

It is poorly differentiated

Question 14

What causes neoplasia?

Answer 14

Mutations caused by: -initiators (mutagenic agents) - e.g. chemicals/infections -promoters (cell proliferation) (mutations can be inherited/external) –>cause expanded, monoclonal (originating from same cell) population of mutant cells then: PROGRESSION- accumulation of more mutations

Question 15

What is ‘lyonisation’?

Answer 15

Random inactivation of 1 allele in early female embryogenesis

Question 16

What are proto-oncogenes?

Answer 16

Genes coding for proteins responsible for cell proliferation

Question 17

What are tumour suppressor genes?

Answer 17

Protect cell from becoming cancerous- slow cell division, correct mistakes etc.

Question 18

What is an oncogene?

Answer 18

When proto-oncogene= abnormally activated (favour neoplasm formation)

Question 19

What do the names of all BENIGN neoplasms end in?

Answer 19

-oma

Question 20

What do the names of MALIGNANT EPITHELIAL neoplasms end in?

Answer 20

-carcinoma

Question 21

What do the names of MALIGNANT STROMAL neoplasms end in?

Answer 21

(stromal= CT cells) -sarcoma

Question 22

What is a carcinoma called if it has not invaded through the basement membrane?

Answer 22

in-situ

Question 23

What is a carcinoma called if it has penetrated through the basement membrane?

Answer 23

invasive

Question 24

What is the name of.a malignant neoplasm of blood forming cells arising in bone marrow?

Answer 24

Leukaemia

Question 25

What is the name for a malignant neoplasm of the lymphocytes- mainly affecting lymph nodes?

Answer 25

Lymphomas

Question 26

What is the name of a malignant neoplasm affecting plasma cells?

Answer 26

Myeloma

Question 27

From what type of cell do germ cell neoplasms arise from?

Answer 27

Pluripotent cell (Testis/ovary)

Question 28

What are ‘-blastomas’?

Answer 28

Neoplasms formed from immature precursor cells (mainly in children)