Cancer Flashcards
_____ is an abnormal growth resulting from uncontrolled proliferation that serves no physiologic function.
Cancer
______ tumors have slow growth, well defined capsule, not invasive, well differentiated, have low mitotic index and do not metastasize.
Benign
_______ tumors have rapid growth, are not encapsulated, are invasive, poorly differentiated, have high mitotic index, and can spread distantly or metastasize.
Malignant
_______ is alteration in DNA sequence affecting expression or function of a gene.
Mutation
______ mutations are small scale changes
Point
_______ mutations “drive” progression of cancer.
Driver
_______ mutations are random events.
Passenger
________ is repeated duplication of a chromosome.
Gene amplification
_______ is large changes in a chromosome structure
Chromosome translocation
What are the three key genetic mechanisms that have a role in human carcinogenesis?
- Activation of proto-oncogenes, resulting in hyperactivity of growth-related gene products
- Mutation of genes, resulting in the loss or inactivity of gene products that would normally inhibit growth (called tumor suppressor genes)
- Mutation of genes, resulting in an overexpression of products that prevent normal cell death or apoptosis, thus allowing continued growth of tumors.
______ are mutant genes that, in their nonmutant state, direct protein synthesis and cellular growth.
Oncogenes
_______ encode proteins that, n their normal state, negatively regulate proliferation.
Tumor-suppressor genes
_______ are normal nonmutant genes that code for cellular growth.
Proto-oncogenes
_____ are responsible for the maintenance of genomic integrity, encode proteins that are involved in repairing damaged DNA, such as the damage that occurs with errors in DNA replication, Mutations caused by UV or ionizing radiation, and mutations caused by chemicals and drugs and loss of function of these leads to increased mutation rates.
Caretaker genes
What are protective caps on each chromosome that are held in place by a telomerase?
Telomeres
______ is the growth of new vessels and is also called neovascularization.
Angiogenesis
______ and ______ are angiogenic factors that facilitate feeding of the tumor in advanced cancers.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)
Cancer cells perform ______ which allows lactate and its metabolites to be used for the more efficient production of lipids and other molecular building blocks needed for rapid cell growth.
glycolysis
What is an important aspect of cancer metabolism that allows cancer cells to generate large amounts of ATP?
Reverse Warburg effect
_______ is an important factor in the development of cancers by stimulating a wound healing response that includes proliferation and new blood vessel growth.
Inflammation
A ____________ is the key cell that promotes tumor survival.
tumor-associated macrophage (TAM)
_______ is the spread of cancer cells from the site of the original tumor to distant tissues and organs through the body.
Metastasis
_______ are caused by biologic substances released from the tumor (e.g. hormones) or by an immune response triggered by the tumor and can be life threatening.
Paraneoplastic syndromes
_______ is the most severe form of malnutrition and leads to protein-calorie malnutrition and progressive wasting.
Cachexia
Stage ___ cancer is confined to its organ of origin.
1
Stage __ cancer is locally invasive
2
Stage __ cancer has advanced to regional structures
3
Stage __ cancer has spread to distant sites.
4
What is the staging system for cancer used by the WHO?
TNM-tumor (0-3), nodes (0-2), metastases (0-2)
______ are substances produced by benign or malignant cells and can consist of hormones, enzymes, genes, antigens and/or antibodies.
Tumor Markers
____ and _____ tumors secrete a protein known as alpha fetoprotein into the blood.
Liver and germ cell
_____ tumors secrete prostate-specific antigen (PSA) into the blood.
Prostate
_____ are used to screen and identify individuals at high risk for cancer, diagnose specific types of tumors, and follow the clinical course of cancer.
Tumor markers
_____ is used to kill cancer cells while minimizing the damage to normal structures.
Radiation therapy
_____ is a form of radiation therapy where seeds are implanted.
Brachytherapy
______ eradicates enough tumor cells to enable the body’s natural defenses to eradicate the remaining cells.
Chemotherapy
______ chemotherapy causes shrinkage or the disappearance of tumors.
Induction
______ chemotherapy is administered after the surgical excision with a goal of eliminating micrometastases.
Adjuvant
______ chemotherapy is administered before localized (surgical or radiation) treatment.
Neoadjuvant
The atypical cell that serves as a marker for diagnosing Hodgkins lymphoma is the__________.
Reed-Sternberg cell
A rare illness that involves the overgrowth of lymphoid tissue, although not itself considered a cancer is__________.
Castleman disease
A 45-year-old patient with a 20-pack-year history of smoking reports coughing up blood. He says he can’t do the things he used to do as he gets short of breath. According to the USPSTF recommendations, what is the best action for the nurse practitioner to take?
Order a CT of the chest
