cancer

Question 1

what is carcinogenesis?

Answer 1

the transformation of normal cells to neoplastic cells through permanent genetic alterations or mutations

Question 2

what is a carcinoma?

Answer 2

malignant epithelial neoplasm

Question 3

what is an adenocarcinoma?

Answer 3

carcinoma of glandular epithelium

Question 4

what is a papilloma?

Answer 4

benign tumour of non-glandular, non- secretory epithelium

Question 5

what is an adenoma?

Answer 5

benign tumour of glandular/ secretory epithelium

Question 6

what is a neoplasm?

Answer 6

a lesion resulting from the autonomous or relatively autonomous abnormal growth of cells which persists after the initiating stimulus has been removed

Question 7

what is a tumour?

Answer 7

any abnormal swelling

Question 8

what is adjuvant therapy?

Answer 8

extra treatment given after surgical excision (e.g. radiotherapy to breast after lumpectomy)

Question 9

what is metastasis?

Answer 9

the process of the development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer

Question 10

what is carcinomatosis?

Answer 10

when the patient has widespread metastases

Question 11

what is an anaplastic tumour?

Answer 11

where the cell-type of origin of a malignant neoplasm is unknown/ cannot be identified

Question 12

what makes up a neoplasm?

Answer 12

neoplastic cells surrounded by a stroma

Question 13

what is angiogenesis?

Answer 13

recruitment of blood vessels to provide a blood supply

Question 14

at what size does a nodule have to reach before angiogenesis can occur?

Answer 14

1mm

Question 15

how are tumours graded?

Answer 15

graded from 1-3 based on the level of differentiation of the cells- a well differentiated tumour more closely resembles the parent tissue so would be rated 1, a poorly differentiated tumour resembles the parent tissue less and would be rated grade 3.

Question 16

what are the 2 categories of benign epithelial neoplasms?

Answer 16

• Papilloma- benign tumour of non-glandular, non-secretory epithelium
• Adenoma- benign tumour of glandular/ secretory epithelium

Question 17

what are the 2 categories of malignant epithelial neoplasms?

Answer 17

• Carcinoma- malignant tumour of epithelial cells

- Adenocarcinoma- carcinomas of glandular epithelium

Question 18

what are benign connective tissue neoplasms suffixed by?

Answer 18

-oma

Question 19

what would you call a benign tumour of striated muscle?

Answer 19

rhabdomyoma

Question 20

what would you call a benign tumour of smooth muscle cells?

Answer 20

leiomyoma

Question 21

what are malignant connective tissue neoplasms suffixed by?

Answer 21

sarcoma

Question 22

what would you call a malignant tumour of cartilage?

Answer 22

chondrosarcoma

Question 23

what 3 malignant tumours aren’t suffixed by carcinoma or sarcoma?

Answer 23

• melanoma
• mesothelioma
• lymphoma

Question 24

what percentage of cancer risks are considered environmental?

Answer 24

85%

Question 25

what are the 3 main problems with identifying carcinogens?

Answer 25

• latent interval may be decades
• complexity of environment
• ethical constraints

Question 26

what are the 8 stages of metastasis?

Answer 26

• detachment
• invasion
• intravasation
• evasion
• adherence
• extravasation
• growth
• angiogenesis