Cancer Flashcards
What is stage 0
What is stage I
What is stage II
What is stage III
What is stage IV
Pre- cancerous cells
cancer limited to tissue of origin
Limited local spread
Extensive spread
Metastasis
Discuss the following statement:
‘Cancer is the result of underlying causes’
Cancer occurs as a result of environment and lifestyle which promote the genetic mutations: like the symptom of a disease.
Explain the role of ‘oncogenes’ in the development of cancer
Proto-oncogenes create Oncogenes that produce growth of tissue that cause mitosis = divide at uncontrolled rate and rapid pace
Explain what is meant by ‘angiogenesis’
when cancer cells grow in a tissue they create more blood vessels: heat & warmth in that local area. Manufacturing & creating more blood vessel: Angiogenesis
Describe how the following factors could increase the risk of cancer:
- Chronic inflammation
- Smoking
- Gastrointestinal dysfunction
- Chronic stress
- Alcohol
- Obesity
- Red meats
- Low fibre
- Refined sugar
- Diary
- Immune suppression
- Chronic inflammation: inflam. bowel disease, gastroesophageal reflux, gastritis
- Smoking: every 15 cigarette= 1 mutation
- Gastrointestinal dysfunction: Liver (detoxify substances), Intestines (excrete body wastes, absorb nutrients & immune function)
- Chronic stress: suppress immune system
- Alcohol: mouth, esophageal, breast & colorectal cancer
- Obesity: breast cancer in post-menopausal women
- Red meats: charcoal + high temperature + not grass-fed= colorectal, prostate, bladder, gastric &pancreatic cancers
- Low fibre: high in phytochemicals to clear toxins & hormones (oestrogen) by bowel.
- Refined sugar: feed cancer cells + growth (and increase acidity)
- Diary: pro-inflam + contains IGFs : promote tumour growth
- Immune suppression: chronic immunodeficiency increases risk of cancer: we need cytotoxic Y-lymphocytes to destroy abnormal cells
Describe THREE key differences between ‘benign’ and ‘malignant’ tumours
- Benign: often encapsulated: no metastasis/ malignat: no encapsulated: metastasis.
- B: grows very slowly + not spread/ M: Often systemic: spread quickly to other organs.
- B: Not life-threatening but damage: compression of tissues/M: Life-threatening due to tissue destruction & spread of tumour.
Discuss the following statement:
‘Tumour markers can provide an absolute diagnosis of cancer’
Tumors markers can produce some false readings but can be very indicative of a specific cancer. For example can be positive for being a smoker or underlying condition: depend on the context of the person
List ONE blood borne tumour marker which may be elevated in:
a. Colorectal cancer
b. Prostate cancer
a. Colorectal cancer: CEA - Carcinoembryonic antigen
b. Prostate cancer: PSA - prostate specific antigen
Name a tumour marker elevated in:
a. Ovarian cancer
b. Breast cancer
a. CA-125 = ovarian cancer.
b. CA 15-3: breast
Name ONE tumour marker used to diagnose testicular cancer
hCG — human chorionic gonadotropin. Males do not naturally produce β-hCG.
Name ONE stool tumour marker which can be used as a screening method for colorectal cancer
Tumour M2-PK
Explain why radiotherapy can cause immunosuppression
Bone marrow depression: no production of blood cells: aplastic aneamia with pancytopenia
List TWO adverse effects of chemotherapy
- Bone marrow depression; (opportunistic infections, fatigue, bruising, etc.).
- Diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea.
- Hair loss.
- Organ damage and cancer!
What cancer is and where:
- Cancer which forms in the epithelial tissue
- Cancer which forms in the connective tissue
- Cancer which forms in the blood and/or bone marrow
- Carcinomas: skin, mouth, nose resp.trat, lungs
- Sarcomas: bone, cartilage, tendons, muscles
- Leukaemias: blood, bone marrow
Name 3 environment factors that thrive cancer
- Acidic environment
- Anaerobic environment
- Glucose rich
