Behaviour of Tumours Flashcards
What is the difference between a local malignant tumour and a systemic disease?
Local disease - the tumour invades adjacent normal tissue.
Systemic disease - the tumour metastasises to distant sites and forms new tumour in these areas.
What contributes to motility and metastasis of tumour cells?
1) loss of cell to cell adhesion molecules (Cadherins)
2) Loss of cell to matric adhesion molecules (integrins)
What type of cells are lossely connected and able to migrate?
Mesenchymal
*in cancer, epithelial cells gain mesenchymal properties and can invade and migrate.
What is transcoelomic metastasis route?
across peritoneal, pleural, pericardial cavities or CSF.
What are the theories of patterns of metastasis?
1) Mechanical hypothesis (dictated by anatomy)
2) seed and soil hypothesis (seeds can only grow if they fall on congenial soil)
What is the difference between stage and grade?
Stage = how advanced is the tumour.
Grade = how aggressive is the tumour?
What is the TMN staging system?
Tumours are staged using TMN.
T = tumour
M = metastases
N = nodes
can be combined to give an overall stage for the tumour from 1 - 4.
What does N0 relate to in the stage of cancer?
N0 = no nodes N1 = nodes on the same side involved N2 = Greater node involement
what does M1 relate to in TNM staging of cancer?
M1 = distant metastases M0 = no metastases
What is Dukes Staging for colorectal cancer?
A = invades into but not through bowel wall B = invades through bowel wall but with no lymph node metastases C = local lymph nodes involved D = distant metastases
What is stage C in Dukes staging for colorectal cancer?
Local lymph nodes are involved!
A = invades into but not through bowel wall B = invades through bowel wall but with no lymph node metastases C = local lymph nodes involved D = distant metastases
What is the 5 year prognosis of stage C of Dukes staging?
30% 5 year survival.
A = >90% 5 year survival B = 70% 5 year survival C = 30% 5 year survival D = 5-10% 5 year survival
