Cancer Flashcards
1
Q
What is cancer?
A
Uncontrolled cell division forming malignant tumours as a result of mutation
Mass of cells forms as a result
2
Q
How can you recognise a tumour nucleus?
A
- Bigger and darker
- Cell has an abnormal shape
- Different antigens on surface
3
Q
What are the 2 types of tumours?
A
Benign
Malignant
4
Q
What is a benign tumour?
A
- Can grow large but slowly
- Produce sticky adhesion molecules so can stick together
- Capsule ensures they remain compact
5
Q
What is a malignant tumour?
A
- Life threatening, harder to remove tumours
- Doesn’t produce adhesive molecules nor a capsule, so cannot be contained
- Part of the tumour can break off and spread
- Can grow projections and own blood supply
6
Q
What are the 2 types of treatment for cancer?
A
Radiation
Chemotherapy
7
Q
What do these treatments of cancer do?
A
Radiation: damages DNA, this is checked for in the S phase
Cell will then go trough apoptosis
Chemotherapy: may prevent synthesis of enzymes needed for DNA replication, which prevents cell entering S phase
8
Q
Is cancer treatment specific or non-specific?
A
Non-specific
