Cancer Flashcards
Learning outcomes
What is cancer? What is the name of a cancerous tumour?
Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body.
- collection of cells due to abnormal growth
MALIGNANT
What is a non-cancerous tumour referred to as? And explain what it is and give an example:
BENIGN
Excess cell growth in tissue - nothing different about them as they are the same as the other cells. Self limiting & encapsulated. Does not metastasise.
Example: Prostratic Hyperplasia (increased size in the prostrate gland)
What are the characteristics of a malignant cancer?
Cells do not appear normal
Unregulated growth of excess cells
Lack of cellular differentiation
Abnormal tissue organisation
Can mestastasise
Name the 3 classifications of genes that are involved in the development of cancer?
Proto-oncogenes: genes that code for regulation of normal cell growth & division. Mutated or overexpressed genes are where proto-oncogenes turn into oncogenes. Also can include chromosomal amplification ie duplicate growth receptor cells.
Tumor Suppressor Genes: Help control cell growth and division by inhibiting cell proliferation or promoting cell death (apoptosis). When these genes are mutated or inactivated, they can no longer perform their tumor-suppressing functions, allowing cancer to develop.
DNA Repair Genes: Codes for proteins involved in repairing damaged DNA. Mutations in these genes can lead to an accumulation of DNA damage, increasing the risk of cancer development.
Explain what angiogenesis is?
Formation of new blood vessels in tissues
Not as strong so more susceptible
This can lead to increased risk of metastasis
Cancel cells can then break off and travel to other areas in the body
What are the common signs and symptoms of cancer?
Pain
Cachexia (weight loss/tissue wasting)
Fatigue
Outline tumour grading
The more they look like normal cells, the lower the grade.
GX: Grade cannot be assessed (undetermined grade)
G1: Well differentiated (low grade)
G2: Moderately differentiated (intermediate grade)
G3: Poorly differentiated (high grade)
G4: Undifferentiated (high grade)
Outline what cancer staging is and what is the most common staging system?
Stage refers to the extent of your cancer, such as how large the tumor is and if it has spread. AT DIAGNOSIS!
LOW= no lymph or mestastasis
HIGH = spread into multiple areas
tumour location, size and/or type
involvement of lymph nodes
involvement of other tissues (metastasis)
TNM System
TUMOUR (T0 thru to T4)
NUMBER of NODES (N0 thru to N3)
METASTASIS (MO thru to M1)
What are some treatment options for cancer?
Surgery (remove cancerous tissue)
Radiation (localised treatment to destroy DNA) non selective
Gene therapy (viruses introduced to cells)
Chemotherapy (uses cytoxic drugs to atack cell growth/division of rapidly dividing cells)
Immunotherapy
Hormone therapy
What does the restoration of telomeres do?
Normal cell aging and division cause telomeres to shorten, leading to cell damage and death. However, cancer cells restore telomeres, allowing them to keep dividing endlessly.
