cancer Flashcards
what is cancer
it is a collection of different diseases that can form in any part of the body
what type of cells can divide into cancer
any type of cells can divide into cancer but some are more likely than others. for example, in females breast cancer is more likely and in males prostate cancer is more likely
what are the characteristics of cancer
- uncontrolled cell division due to the alteration in balance between cell division and cell differentiation
- the balance between apoptosis and cell survival is disrupted
- invasion and metasis are common features
define tumour
tumour is an abnormal mass of cells which can either be benign or malignant growth
define cancer
malignant growth
define primary tumour
tumour at it’s initial site (doesn’t spread)
define secondary tumour
tumour that spreads to other organs and tissues
define carcinogenesis
process in which normal cells transform into malignant cells and repeatedly divide to form cancer
define neoplasia
the formation of abnormal mass of proliferating cells
define anaplasia
lack of differentiation of neoplastic cells and are seen as pleomorphic primitive cells
define dysplasia
abnormality in development. there is an alteration in size, shape and organisation of adult cells
describe anaplastic cells
- enlarged nucleus
- abnormal mitotic figure
- discohesive
- poorly differentiated
- pleomorphic
define aplasia
when an organ or tissue doesn’t develop properly or part is missing
define hyperplasia
- when the proliferation of cells (cell growth) within an organ is beyond normal.
- an enlargement of organs due to an increase in the number of cells
- leads to a formation of a benign tumour
define hypoplasia
- underdevelopment of an organ or tissue
define hypertrophy
- when there is an increase in the size of the cells which leads to an enlargement of organs or tissues
describe benign prostatic hyperplasia
- non-cancerous
- increase in the prostate gland due to an increase in number of prostate cells
what are examples of hypoplasia
- enamel hypoplasia
