Cancer Flashcards
define oncology
branch of medicine that studies cancerous disease and provides treatment for cancer
define cancer
diseases in which cells divide abnormally without control and are able to invade other tissues
name some different types of cancers
- carcinoma (skin)
- sarcoma (bone)
- leukemia (blood, bone marrow)
- lymphoma and myeloma (immune system)
define carcinogenesis
process by which normal cells get transformed into cancer cells
what is a tumour
a growth of tissue resulting from abnormal new cell growth
what does the stage of cancer represent
the size of the tumour and the extent the cancer has spread
what are some cellular hallmarks of cancer
- loss of contact inhibition of cell growth
- deregulation of cell cycle
- low requirement for growth factors
- lack of apoptosis (cell death)
- chromosome abnormalities
how does a cell become cancerous
DNA mutations:
- DNA replication errors
- radiation
- chemical carcinogens, mutagens
- virus infections
how can something be tested for mutagens / carcinogens
the Ames test
what gene change causes cancer
oncogenes - arise from mutation or overexpression of proto-oncogenes
what is apoptosis
genetically controlled cell death
**see notes on causes of cancer
define angiogenesis
the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels
define metastasis
process in which cells from primary tumour site escape, travel to a new location via the circulatory or lymphatic system and establish a secondary tumour
-> usually what makes cancer fatal
how can cancer be prevented
- use of anti-viral vaccines e.g. HPV vaccine
- preventing exposure to high toxicity carcinogens e.g. asbestos, dioxins, toxic metals
- promoting awareness / recommended limited exposure e.g. UV radiation, smoking
how does radiotherapy work to treat cancer
ionising radiation causes DNA damage and induces apoptosis (cell death)
how does chemotherapy work to treat cancer
chemicals target rapidly dividing cells to kill cancer cells
- also causes them to kill hair follicle and immune system cells that also divide rapidly
