6. Neoplasia Flashcards
carcinogen
a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue
angiogenesis
development of new blood vessels
metastases
the development of a secondary malignant growth that is away from the primary site of cancer
ectopic hormone production
a hormone that is produced outsides its normal endocrine site of production
paraneoplastic syndrome
cancer is present in the body but not due to cancer cells. usually due to hormones/cytokines.
cachexia
weakness or wasting of the body due to a severe chronic illness
neoplasia
the process of benign or malignant tumour growth
the two theories of how tumours develop: monoclonal
tumour arises from a mutation in one single cell
the two theories of how tumours develop: polyclonal
tumours arise from multiple cells
pro-carcinogens: UV radiation
skin cancer
pro-carcinogens: BRCA gene
breast cancer
pro-carcinogens: HIV infection
karposi sarcoma
pro-carcinogens: aflatoxin B1
liver cancer
pro-carcinogens: X-radiation
skin/lung/bone cancer
pro-carcinogens: HPV infection
cervical cancer
pro-carcinogens: asbestos
lung cancer and mesothelioma
pro-carcinogens: nitrosamines
liver tumours and lung cancer
skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma
in the basal cells of epidermis (dividing cells) - cannot metastasize (75%)
skin cancer: squamous cell carcinoma
they have the ability to metastasize (15%)
skin cancer: melanoma
aggressive, develops from melanocytes, not always found in areas exposed to sunlight
other factors that influence tumour growth (5)
- geneitcs
- dietary
- immunosuppresion (excessive proliferation of damaged cells/dna)
- repeated injury
- age
cachexia
overall wasting of the body due to loss of body fat and lean muscle
complications of tumours (6)
infection, bleeding, anaemia, chemotherapy, radiation, hyperplasia
tumour grading (gleason’s pattern)
there are five grades - the higher the grade, the more undifferentiated and dangerous the tumour cells
