Benign and malignant tumours: Tumour classification Flashcards
Define tumour
Any abnormal swelling (e.g. neoplasm, inflammation, hypertrophy and hyperplasia)
Define neoplasm
A lesion resulting from the autonomous or relatively autonomous abnormal growth of cells which persists after the initiating stimulus has been removed:
Autonomous -> Abnormal -> PERSISTENT -> new growth
What is a lesion
A localised abnormality
Why should we study neoplasia
- 25% of the population
- All ages
- Increased risk with age
- Mortality rate high
- 20% of all deaths (malignant neoplasia)
What is the most common form of cancer in males
Prostate cancer
What is the most common cancer that men die of
LUNG cancer
Where do neoplastic cells derive from
Nucleated cells that are monoclonal
What is the growth pattern of neoplastic cells
SImilar to parent cells
What does the neoplastic cell produce
The same products as the parent cells
What is the role of a neoplatic cell’s stromas
Connective tissue framework
Mechanical support
Nutrition
Is every cell in a neoplastic tissue a neoplast
No
How long can a tumour grow
2mm in diamterer
Outline the stages of tumour development
- Avascular tumour nodule forms
- Tumour becomes vascularised
- Vascularised tumour has central necrosis
Why is the centre of a neoplastic tumour dead
Because it’s not vascularised
What is needed for neoplastic tumour growth
Angiogenesis
Define angiogenesis
Production of new blood vessels
Why do we classify neoplasms (2)
- Determine appropriate treatment
2. Provide prognostic information
What are the two methods of neoplasm classification
Behavioural (benign/malignant/borderline)
Histogenetic (cell origin)
Where are borderline neoplasms found
Ovary (they look benign, not malignant)