BS Flashcards
oncogene
genes that have made the transition from proto-oncogene and are now capable of producing neoplasms. cause unregulated cell growth through promotion of cellular division, which results in further mutations
tumor suppressor genes
genes that function to help control cell growth; their loss results in uncontrolled cell growth through loss of regulation of division. can be inactivated through a variety of types of mutations. during the loss-of-function alteration, both alleles need to be inactivated.
hyperplasia
increase in NUMBER of cells. a pathologic finding ass’d with a predisposition to progress to invasive carcinoma.
dysplasia
disordered growth of epithelium. loss of cellular uniformity and architectural orientation. the cells may have an increased number of mitotic figures. does not necessarily mean mass or tumor, but often a precursor of malignancy. can be reversible if the inciting agent is removed
metaplasia
normal transition of cells of one type of tissue to another, OR transformation of cells from a normal state to an abnormal state.
carcinoma in situ
full-thickness dysplasia of the epithelium
invasive carcinoma
tissue boundaries, esp the basement membrane, have been breached.
metastatic carcinoma
occurs via the lymphatic system to regional lymph nodes and via the bloodstream to distant organs and other tissues.
hypertrophy
enlargement or overgrowth of an organ or tissue due to an increase in size of cells - NOT an increase in the # of cells.
neoplasm/neoplasia
abnormal growth of cells resulting in distorted tissue architecture
anaplasia
Lack of differentiation (differentiation = How histologically similar to the normal tissue the neoplasm is)
paraneoplastic syndrome
Side effects of a neoplasm not attributable to functions normally associated with the cell type of origin or by the location of the tumor
benign neoplasm architecture
cells look normal (highly differentiated). anaplasia usually absent
benign neoplasm rate of growth
Relatively slow growth
benign neoplasm pattern: enlargement and spread
Remain localized and inflict damage by encroachment on adjacent structures
malignant neoplasm architecture
Cells show varying degrees of differentiation.
Anaplasia often present
malignant neoplasm rate of growth
Unrestrained growth w/ invasion of adjacent tissues
malignant neoplasm pattern: enlargement and spread
Metastases to distant sites
sarcomas characteristically metastasize through
blood
carcinomas characteristically metastasize through
lymphatics
normal cells undergo malignant transformation that results in abnormal cellular behavior. this may be due to
o Altered nuclear and cellular structure o Chromosomal abnormalities o Genetic mutations o Biochemical abnormalities o Inappropriate cell products
well differentiated tumor cells:
retain specialized tissue function and look similar to normal cells
poorly differentiated tumor cells:
lost function and don’t look like normal cells
carcinomas arise from
ectoderm or endoderm
sarcomas arise from
mesoderm
metastases occurs through
- Lymphatic invasion
- Blood-borne transport
- Seeding of body cavities, organs, skeleton
angiogenesis
Tumor blood vessel proliferation
