3 Cancer Flashcards
What is a tumour?
a mass of undfferentiated cells produced by uncontrolled cell division.
2 types of tumour
Malignant
Benign
Features of malignant tumours
- cause cancer
- grow rapidly
- invade and destroy surrounding tissues
What is metastasis?
When cells from a tumour break off and migrate to other parts of the body in order to set up secondary tumours.
Features of benign tumours
-Do not cause cancer
- Do not undergo metastasis
- Do not destroy surrounding tissue
- Damage organ theyre found in
- cause blockages
- pressure on surrounding organs.
What controls the cell cycle and how?
Regulatory genes
Code for proteins which ensure the cycle starts and stops correctly – each checkpoint is completed
Mutation of regulatory genes
Leads to uncontrolled cell division
Produces abnormal undifferentiated cells called a tumour.
What is a proto-oncogene?
The genes that usually help cells grow, and regulate its growth.
What happens when a proto-oncogene mutates?
It becomes a ‘bad’ gene - oncogene which becomes permanently activated when it is not supposed to be.
What happens if a proto oncogene becomes an oncogene?
This happens meaning the cell can grow out of control and lead to cancer
What is a tumour suppressor gene?
Normal genes which slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes and tell the cell when to die
What happens if the TSG doesnt work properly?
The cell can grow out of control leading to cancer.
Hypomethylation of TSG
Gene not transcribed
Protein needed to slow cell division not made
Cell division now uncontrolled leading to potential cancer.
Hypomethlation of proto-oncogene
Gene over transcribed
Too much of the protein that speeds up cell division is made
Leading to uncontrolled cell growth and potential cancer
How is a benign tumor treated?
Surgery
