Cancer Flashcards
What is neoplasia?
‘New growth’
Neoplasm means tumour/cancer.
Describe the process of neoplasia.
When a cell is injured it goes to programmed cell death (apoptosis) and is no longer replicated however in apoptosis malfunction the dead cell replicates uncontrollable.
What are the stages of cancer development?
1) CARCINOgenesis - the initiation
2) ANGIOgenesis - formation of new blood vessels to nourish tumour
3) metastasis - spread of cancer to distant sites
What is carcinogen?
A substance which causes cancer to living cells eg. Smoking, asbestos, UV ray, alcohol …
What are the screening and early detection methods?
- physical exams
- lab tests
- imaging
- genetic testing
What are the treatments for cancer?
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.
What is the difference between normal cells and malignant cells?
Normal cells;
- exhibits regulated growth
- differentiations
- apoptosis (regulated cell death)
Malignant cells;
- uncontrolled growth
- lack differentiation
- evade apoptosis
What is carcinomas?
Cancer arising from epithelial cells.
What is sarcomas?
Cancer from bone and soft tissues.
What is lymphomas?
Cancer from the lymphatic system.
What is leukemias?
Cancer from blood forming tissues.
What are telomeres?
Protective caps at the end of chromosomes which prevent DNA getting lost during replication. As cells divide the telomeres shorten, eventually cell division stops.
What is telomerase?
Active enzyme which maintains telomeres length. Cancer cells express telomerase.
What causes cancer?
Spontaneous mutations or exposure to mutagen/carcinogen.
What causes lung cancer?
Chemicals—> asbestos
