Cancer Flashcards

1
Q

Cancer

A

The abnormal uncontrolled multiplication of cells due to genetic (DNA) mutations that disrupt the cell cycle

  • eventually forms neoplasms (tumours) that can spread

Death from cancer occurs when a major organ or system in the body is affected (e.g. lungs) to the point where organ function is significantly compromised

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Tumours

A

Groups of abnormal cells that form lumps or growths.

Benign tumours - do not spread
malignant tumours - spread and can be life-threatening

Malignant tumours can invade blood or lymphatic vessels and spread to distant sites and produce secondary tumours; this is called cancer metastasis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Carcinogens

A

Agents that cause damage, which causes mutations to genetic material

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Causes of cancer

A
  1. carcinogenic chemicals
    * ethanol, nickel, benzene, aflatoxins
  2. Radiation
    * ultraviolet, X-ray
  3. Pathogens
    * HPV, H. Pylori bacterium
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Matastasis

A

When a pathogen spreads from an initial or primary site to a different or secondary site within the host’s body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Types of cancer

A
  1. Skin (non-malignant, nearly all cured)
  2. Breast
  3. Prostate
  4. Lung
  5. Colorectal
  6. Uterine, cervical, ovarian (Females)
  7. Bladder (Males)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Skin cancers

A

Most are carcinomas; grow slowly but easy to treat

  • malignant melanoma is the rarest but most deadly form of skin cancer
    Risk factors include: freckles, easily sunburned, family history of melanoma, large number of moles

Melanoma is 20x more common in light-skinned (white) individuals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Breast cancer

A

Risk factors:
* age
* genetics
* age at onset of menstruation
* lifetime exposure to menstruation

Dangerous when it metastasizes
(E.g. via lymph nodes near breasts)

Screening: mammograms
Treatment: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Cancer treatment: surgical removal

A

Oldest type of cancer treatment, and is effective against many types of

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Lung cancer

A

Leading mortal cancer in Canada
* smoking is the #1 risk factor

Only 20% survive after 5 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Prostate Cancer (males)

A

Walnut-sized gland near the bladder

  • most common cancer in males (after non-malignant skin cancer)

Often asymptomatic

Risk factors:

  • age
  • obesity
  • history of STIs
  • diets (maybe)

Common symptom: changes in urinary frequency or flow

Treatment options:
* surgery to remove prostate
* radiation, cryotherapy, drugs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Colorectal cancer

A

Begins with polyps, which may progress through several stages and become cancerous

Polyp: small clump of cells that forms on the linings of the colon.

Screening: endoscopy

Incidence of colorectal cancer has been increasing in people in their 20s and 30s

Risk factors: older age, male sex, inflammatory bowel disease and family history; obesity

Symptoms:
* change in bowel movements
* pain/tenderness in abdomen
* blood in feces

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Cervical cancer (females)

A

Cervix is between uterus and vagina

HPV causes 99% cervical cancers
* transmitted through skin contact

Screening: regular pap tests aid early detection of pre-cancerous cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Screening

A

Involved general examinations (e.g. mammography) done on apparently healthy populations to identify those who may potentially have a disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Testing

A

Done on those who believed to have a disease. It involves more specific tests (e.g. biopsies, microscopic examinations) to more thoroughly identify the presence of a disease

  • testing is more invasive, time consuming, and costly than screening
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Biopsy

A

Removal of a tissue that is suspected to be diseased for further examination

17
Q

Cancer treatments

A
  1. Surgical removal
  2. Chemotherapy
  3. Radiation therapy
  4. Immunotherapy
  5. Gene therapy
  6. Hormone therapy
18
Q

Chemotherapy

A

Use of drugs to target and kill cancer cells

  • traditional drugs work by targeting cells that are rapidly dividing
  • affects not only cancer cells but normal body cells that tend to divide more often (hair follicle, lining of stomach and intestine)

Such drugs can cause hair loss, fatigue, and nausea

19
Q

Radiation therapy

A

Beams are focused from several directions resulting in a higher dose at the tumour to kill cancer cells

  • Radiation damages DNA
  • Useful for localized tumours
  • can also kill healthy cells, leading to possible side effects
  • often used in combination with surgery or chemotherapy
20
Q

Immunotherapy

A

Stimulating the immune system with drugs
* giving the immune system components (e.g. antibodies)

Cancer vaccines:

Prevention: effective for cancers cause by an infection
Treatment: effective against some cancers (e.g. prostrate); boost immune system in those already diagnosed with cancer

21
Q

Gene therapy

A
  • Modifying the genetic material of cancer cells
  • modifying genetic material of immune systems
  • use of altered viruses to deliver genetic material
22
Q

Hormone therapy

A

Effective against cancers that are helped by hormones (e.g. breast, prostrate, ovarian cancer)
* drugs that block hormone receptors or lower hormone levels
(E.g. drugs that block estrogen receptors or lower estrogen levels)