cancer Flashcards
What is a neoplasm?
Abnormal mass of tissue that forms when cells grow and divide but also when cells dont die when they’re meant to
What is the definition for cancer?
highly invasive and destructive neoplasms
What is oncology?
the study of neoplasms
What is a tumour?
a collection of cells that have lost genetic control of proliferation and differentiation
What does benign mean?
localised and closely resembling cells of origin but lost control of proliferation
What does malignant mean?
Invasive and destructive cells that do not resemble cells of origin
Which of the 2 types of tumours are differentiated cells?
benign
Which of the 2 types of tumours have cells that vary in size and shape and have large nuclei?
malignant
Which of the 2 types of tumours is similar to normal cells?
benign
Which of the 2 types of tumours has fairly normal mitosis?
benign
Which of the 2 types of tumours has relatively slow growth?
benign
Which of the 2 types of tumours is frequently encapsulated?
benign
Which of the 2 types of tumours is described as expanding mass?
benign
Which of the 2 types of tumours remains localised?
benign
Which of the 2 types of tumours has rare systemic effects and is only life threatening in certain locations (brain)?
benign
Which of the 2 types of tumours has many undifferentiated cells?
malignant
Which of the 2 types of tumours has rapid growth?
malignant
Which of the 2 types of tumours has cells that are not adhesive and infiltrate tissue?
malignant
Which of the 2 types of tumours have no capsule?
malignant
Which of the 2 types of tumours invades nearby tissue or metastasises?
malignant
Which of the 2 types of tumours often has systemic effects and is life threatening by tissue destruction and spread of tumours?
malignant
What do the genes that are altered for someone with cancer control in the cell?
reproduction (mitosis, meiosis)
Growth
differentiation
death
What impacts does cancer have on tissues, organs and organ systems?
loss of cell to cell communication which allows further unrestricted growth of tumour cells
Increased energy expenditure, which deprives unaffected cells of nutrients
Increased motility and loss of cohesion/adhesion, which promotes movement to other locations
Rapid angiogenesis, which provides extensive blood flow to the tumour cells
Substance secretion, which alters the metabolism and degrades neighbouring unaffected cells
Present foreign antigens on the cancer cell surface, which can trigger the immune response
What are mutator genes?
Genes that repair mutated DNA and protect the genome
What are protooncogenes?
Genes that regulate cell function
What are tumour suppressor genes?
Genes that prohibit over proliferation of cells and regulate apoptosis
Name some carcinogens
High energy ionizing radiation
Hormone
chemicals
Viruses and bacteria
What is local spread?
proliferation of the neoplasm within the tissue of origin
What is direct extension?
Process of tumour cells moving into adjacent tissues and organs
What is seeding (spread of cancer)?
malignant tumours move along membranes of peritoneal and pleural cavities, gaining easy access to organs within
What is metastases?
Neoplasm spread to distant sites by way of lymphatics or blood vessels
What is organ tropism?
the affinity of a primary tumour to a specific distant site
Describe grades 1 and 2 of cancer
well differentiated
resemble the tissue of origin in size and shape, structure and mitotic activity
Describe grades 3 and 4?
highly undifferentiated
demonstrate little or no resemblance to the tissue of origin
What does haematology-oncology refer to?
The combined medical practice of haematology (the study of the blood’s physiology) and oncology (the study of cancer)
What happens in acute myeloid leukaemia?
the bone marrow makes too many monocytes or granulocytes. These cells aren’t fully developed and are not able to work normally
What happens in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia?
The bone marrow makes too many B or T lymphocytes. These lymphocytes are not fully developed and are not able to work normally. They are often known as blast cells
What happens in chronic myeloid leukaemia?
The abnormal leukaemia cells develop from early blood cells called the myeloid blood stem cells. They become myelocytes. These cells are sometimes called granulocytes
What does lymphoma mean?
Cancer of the lymphatic system
What does the lymphatic system do?
It plays an important part of our immune system. It plays a role in fighting bacteria and other infections. And it destroys old or abnormal cells, such as cancer cells
What cells does Hodgkin lymphoma contain?
Reed-Sternberg cells
What does the stage of Hodgkin lymphoma tell you?
It tells you about the number and places in the body that are affected by the lymphoma
Name some risk factors of Hodgkin lymphoma
smoking
overweight
Family history
Epstein Barr virus
previous NHL
breast implant
Name some symptoms of leukaemia
General weakness
Feeling tired
High temperature
Frequent infections
Bruising or bleeding
Weight loss
Pain in bones or joints
Breathlessness
Feeling full in your tummy
pale skin
swollen lymph nodes
Name some of the symptoms of lymphoma
painless swelling in lymph nodes
heavy sweating, especially at night
High temperatures that come and go with no obvious cause, often overnight
unexplained weight loss
itching
cough or shortness of breath
tummy pain or vomiting after drinking alcohol
What are the main types of treatment for cancer?
Chemotherapy
Targeted cancer drugs
Radiotherapy
Name some symptoms of prostate cancer
Passing urine more frequently
getting up in the night
difficulties passing urine
urgency
Leaking
Blood in urine
Raised PSA
Name some symptoms of lung cancer
Persistent cough for longer than 3 weeks
A change in long-term cough
Shortness of breath
Blood in sputum
Pain in chest/shoulder
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Loss of weight
Name some symptoms of bowel cancer
Bleeding from rectum
Blood in faeces
Change in bowel habits
Pain in abdomen or rectum
Losing weight
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Bowel obstruction
Name some symptoms of melanoma
Asymmetry
Border
Colour
Diameter
Elevation
What are the 3 possible goals of cancer treatment?
completely eradicate the neoplasms
control continued growth and spread
Reduce symptoms without curing the cancer
How can we prevent cancer?
Screening
exercise
Balanced healthy diet
Maintain healthy weight
Vaccinations
Skin protection
Avoid tobacco
Avoid heavy alcohol consumption
Protect against exposure to industrial carcinogens
