3. Cancer Flashcards
Cancer
Malignant neoplasm
Abnormal growth of cells that proliferate uncontrollably
Metastasis
Spread of cancer cells
Carcinogen
Cancer causing substance
Tumour
Any kind of mass forming lesion
Neoplasm
Autonomous growth of tissue which have escaped normal constraints on cell proliferation
Benign neoplasm
Remains localised
Can be cured by local surgery
Malignant neoplasm
Invade locally and/or spread to distant sites
More difficult to cure
Require chemotherapy
Hamartomas
Localised benign overgrowths of >,1 mature cell types
Malformed normal tissue
Heterotopias
Normal tissue found where not normally present
Classification of neoplasms
Stem: Cell origin
Suffix: Benign or Malignant
Suffix “Oma”
Benign tumour
Suffix “Sarcoma”
Malignant tumour
Malignant tumours with suffix “Oma”
Malignant lymphoma
Malignant melanoma
Hepatoma
Teratoma
Teratoma
Tumour derived from germ cells
Can contain tissue from all 3 germ cell layers
Can contain mature, immature tissue and/or cancer
Difference between benign & malignant tumours
Invasion
Metastasis
Differentiation
Growth pattern
Differentiation
How much do cells of tumour resemble cells of tissue its derived from
Growth pattern
How much does architecture of tumour resemble architecture of tissue its derived from
By which routes do malignant neoplasms spread?
Direct extension. Haematogenous: Blood vessels Lymphatic Transcoelomic: Body cavities Perineural: Nerves
How do we assess tumour spread?
- Clinically
- Radiologically
- Pathologically
How do we describe tumour spread (stage)?
T = Tumour: tumour size or extent of local invasion N = Nodes: No of lymph nodes involved M = Metastases: presence of distant metastases
In terms of tumour prognosis, what is more important?
Stage
Grade
How differentiated is the tumour?
Stage
How far has the tumour spread?