Cancer 1 Flashcards
What types of cancer are the most common?
Breast, prostrate, lung, bowel
Define cancer
Highly invasive and destructive neoplasms
Define neoplasms
Cells formed from irreversible deviant cell division
Define tumour
A collection of cells that have lost genetic control of proliferation and differentiation
Give four features of benign tumours
Differentiated cells Mitosis fairly normal Relatively slow growth Expanding mass Frequently enscapulated Remains localised Systemic effects are rare
Give four features of malignant tumours
Cells vary in size and shape, large nuclei Many undifferentiated cells Mitosis increased and atypical Rapid growth Cells not adhesive, infiltrate tissue No capsule Invades nearby tissue or metastasises Systemic effects often present
Describe four features of a cancel cell
May have antigens on surface Lots of mitochondria Large nuclei Sometimes have the ability to secrete substances Slippery surface
What impact do cancer cells have on tissues, organs and organ systems?
Loss of cell-to-cell communication
Increased EE
Increased motility and loss of cohesion/ adhesion
Rapid angiogenesis
Substance secretion
Foreign antigens on cancel cell surface may trigger an immune response
Give 3 examples of categories of cancer genes
Mutator genes
Proto-oncogenes
Tumour suppressor genes - e.g. p53, Rb
Describe the mechanisms of cancer
Carciogenic agent damages DNA of cell
Damage to DNA and damage to repair process
Leading to unregulated cell growth and differentiation
What are the three stages in cancer growth?
Initiation
Promotion
Progression
Give four types of cancer spread
Local spread
Direct extension
Seeding
Metastases
What is organ tropism?
The affinity of a primary tumour to a specific distant site
What is the TMN classification of tumour staging?
T for size
N stands for lymph node involvement
M relates to metastases
What are the grades of tumour?
Grades I to II - well differentiated, resemble the tissue of origin in size, shape, structure and mitotic activity
Grade III to IV - highly undifferentiated, demonstrate little or no resemblance to tissue of origin
