cancer

Question 1

What is cancer?

Answer 1

Cancer is a group of diseases where abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, invade different parts of the body, and/or spread to other organs

Question 2

Define tumor or neoplasm.

Answer 2

A tumor or neoplasm is a lesion caused by abnormal growth of cells that continues in the absence of the initiating stimulus.

Question 2

What is remission in cancer?

Answer 2

Remission is a decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer. It can be partial or complete. Complete remission means all signs and symptoms of cancer are gone.

Question 2

What are the two main parts of a tumor structure?

Answer 2

The two main parts of a tumour structure are neoplastic cells (cancer cells that divide and invade)
stroma (connective tissue framework that provides support, signalling, and nutrition to neoplastic cells).

Question 2

What is metastasis?

Answer 2

Metastasis is the process where malignant tumors spread from the site of origin (primary tumor) to form tumors (secondary tumors) at distant sites. Neoplastic cells use blood vessels and lymphatic channels to spread.

Question 3

How are tumors classified based on behavior?

Answer 3

Tumors are classified as benign (non-invasive and remain localized) or malignant (invade and destroy other tissues, spread by metastasis).

Question 4

What is the histogenetic classification of tumours?

Answer 4

Histogenetic classification looks at the specific cell or tissue of origin of the tumour. It helps determine the type and grade of the tumour.

Question 4

What is carcinogenesis?

Answer 4

Carcinogenesis is the process by which normal cells undergo genetic and epigenetic changes that lead to the formation of cancer cells.

Question 5

What role does prevention play in cancer control?

Answer 5

Prevention involves measures to reduce the risk of developing cancer, such as lifestyle changes, vaccinations, and regular screenings, which can help detect cancer early or prevent it altogether.

Question 5

What are the key characteristics of malignant tumours?

Answer 5

Malignant tumours invade and destroy other tissues, spread directly or by metastasis, have a fast growth rate, show different histological resemblance to parent tissue/cell, have poorly defined borders, and can cause ulceration and/or necrosis.

Question 5

Why is cancer detection important?

Answer 5

Early detection of cancer is crucial as it increases the chances of successful treatment and can significantly improve survival rates.

Question 5

What are the top 5 invasive cancers reported in males in South Africa?

Answer 5

The top 5 invasive cancers in males are prostate, colorectal, lung, melanoma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Question 6

When was the National Cancer Registry (NCR) established and who manages it?

Answer 6

The NCR was established in 1986 and is managed by the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS).

Question 6

What are the top 5 invasive cancers reported in females in South Africa?

Answer 6

The top 5 invasive cancers in females are breast, cervix, colorectal, uterus, and melanoma.

Question 6

What is the purpose of the NCR?

Answer 6

The NCR provides information for South African cancer statistics and research, with data provided by public and private sector laboratories. It is a legal requirement to report all cancer diagnoses.

Question 6

What are the special characteristics of cancer cells?

Answer 6

The special characteristics of cancer cells include uncontrolled proliferation, de-differentiation and loss of function, invasiveness, and metastasis.

Question 6

What does tumour staging look at?

Answer 6

Tumour staging looks at the extent of the spread of the tumour, based on clinical and radiological assessment. It determines the surgical approach or selection of treatments and helps determine the survival rate.

Question 6

What is uncontrolled proliferation in cancer cells?

Answer 6

Uncontrolled proliferation is the rapid multiplication of cancer cells, affected by the inactivation of tumour suppressor genes and the transformation of proto-oncogenes to oncogenes.

Question 7

What is TNM staging?

Answer 7

TNM staging is a system used to describe the extent of cancer spread. Stage 1 tumour is confined to the organ of origin, while Stage 4 tumour has disseminated widely

Question 7

What is invasiveness in cancer cells?

Answer 7

Invasiveness is the ability of cancer cells to invade surrounding tissues. This is facilitated by mutations and special enzymes that break the extracellular matrix, enabling cancer cells to move around.

Question 8

What is de-differentiation in cancer cells?

Answer 8

De-differentiation is the process where a differentiated cell loses its special form or function or reverts to an earlier developmental stage. Poorly differentiated cancer cells multiply faster and carry a worse prognosis.

Question 9

How do cancer cells metastasize?

Answer 9

Cancer cells metastasize by forming secondary tumours that are transported via blood to other sites. For example, metastases of mammary cancers are often found in the lung, bone, and brain.

Question 10

Why is early detection important in cancer prevention?

Answer 10

Early detection is crucial because it increases the chances of finding tumours at a curable stage before they have spread, significantly improving survival rates.

Question 11

What are the 7 warning signs of cancer?

Answer 11

1.Change in bowel or bladder habits
2.A sore throat that doesn’t heal
3.Unusual bleeding or discharge
4.Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere
5.Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
6.Obvious change in a wart or mole
7.Nagging cough or hoarseness

Question 12

What are malignant tumours?

Answer 12

Malignant tumours invade and destroy other tissues, spread directly or by metastasis, have a fast growth rate, show different histological resemblance to the parent tissue or cell, have poorly defined borders, and can cause ulceration and/or necrosis.

Question 12

How do many anti-cancer drugs work?

Answer 12

Many anti-cancer drugs work by affecting stages of the cell cycle, stopping the rapid division of cancer cells. However, they also stop other rapidly dividing cells, such as those in the bone marrow, lymphoid tissues, and hair, leading to side effects.

Question 13

What are benign tumours?

Answer 13

Benign tumours are non-invasive and remain localized, meaning they do not spread to or destroy other organs or tissues. They have a slow growth rate, closely resemble the parent tissue or cells, and are mostly encapsulated by compressed connective tissue.

Question 14

What are the key differences between benign and malignant tumours?

Answer 14

Benign Tumours: Non-invasive, localized, slow growth rate, closely resemble parent tissue, encapsulated.
Malignant Tumours: Invasive, spread by metastasis, fast growth rate, different histological resemblance, poorly defined borders, can cause ulceration and necrosis.

Question 15

What are the types of tumors based on histogenetic classification? (cells from which tumours develop)

Answer 15

Epithelial cells: Carcinomas
Connective tissue: Sarcomas
Lymph or hematopoietic organs: Lymphomas or leukemias

Question 15

What determines the grade of a tumor in histogenetic classification?

Answer 15

The extent to which a tumor resembles its cell or tissue of origin determines the tumor grade(differentiation).
It describes how normal or abnormal tumor cells look.
The more normal the cells look, the less aggressive the tumor and the more slowly it grows/spreads

Question 15

Why is grading of tumors useful?

Answer 15

Correlates with patient survival.
Can help determine the best treatment.

Question 16

What does a higher grade indicate in tumor classification?

Answer 16

The tumor cells look more abnormal, which correlates with faster tumor growth and spread.

Question 16

What are the categories of tumor grades in histogenetic classification?

Answer 16

Grade 1 (Well differentiated): Tumor cells look like normal tissue cells (Low grade).
Grade 2 (Moderately differentiated): Somewhat abnormal cells (Intermediate grade).
Grade 3 (Poorly differentiated): Most of the cells look abnormal (High grade).
Grade 4 (Undifferentiated/Anaplastic): All cells are abnormal (Highest grade).