Cancer, Carcinogens and Neoplasia

Question 1

What is a carcinoma?

Answer 1

Malignant epithelial neoplasm

Question 2

Why can BCC be cured by excision?

Answer 2

BCC don’t metastasise

Question 3

When can’t excision be used?

Answer 3

When cancer is systemic, as spreads around the body e.g. Myeloma

Question 4

What carcinomas can spread to the bone?

Answer 4

Lung, Thyroid, Prostate, Breast, Kidney

Question 5

What is adjuvant therapy and when is it used?

Answer 5

Treatment after surgery and used to treat issue such as micro-metastases

Question 6

Where do carcinomas spread to?

Answer 6

1) Spread to lymph nodes that drain them

2) Spread to bone

Question 7

Define Carcinogenesis

Answer 7

Multistep transformation of normal–>Neoplastic cells by permanent genetic mutation

Question 8

What are carcinogens?

Answer 8

Agents expected/known to cause tumours

Question 9

How much an impact does environment have in tumour development?

Answer 9

85%

Question 10

What are the 5 host factors that affect carcinoma risk?

Answer 10

1) Race
2) Constitutional factors
3) Diet
4) Transplacental Exposure
5) Premalignancy

Question 11

What are the 5 categories of carcinoma?

Answer 11

1) Viral
2) Chemical
3) Occupational/Behavioural
4) Biological: Hormones, Parasites and Mycotoxins
5) Radiant Energy

Question 12

What types of cancer does alcohol cause?

Answer 12

Lung, Liver, Oesophageal, Oropharyngeal, Bone and Colonic

Question 13

What cancer do aromatic amines cause?

Answer 13

Bowel cancer

Question 14

How does alcohol increase chance of cancer?

Answer 14

Increases oestrogen levels, oropharynx absorbs carcinogens more easily

Question 15

How does living longer increases chances of cancer?

Answer 15

Live longer so exposed to environmental factors longer so more likely to live out latent period

Question 16

What is a neoplasm?

Answer 16

Autonomous abnormal Persistent new growth

Question 17

What are the 2 components of a neoplasm?

Answer 17

1) Neoplastic Cells 2) Stroma

Question 18

What are neoplastic cells and main characteristics?

Answer 18

• Derived from nucleated cells

Char: Monoclonal and growth related to parent cells

Question 19

What is the stroma?

Answer 19

Connective Tissue framework that provides mechanical support and nutrition

Question 20

What is essential for growth and what is released to make this happen?

Answer 20

Angiogenesis

Vascular endothelial growth factors

Question 21

Why does necrosis occur in the neoplasm?

Answer 21

Neoplasm grows quickly, outgrowing the vascular supply

Question 22

How are neoplasms classified and what is the advantage of this?

Answer 22

1) Behaviour: Benign/Maligant(Borderline as well)
2) Histogenetic: Origin cell
(Helps determine the appropriate treatment and prognosis)

Question 23

What are the 7 main features of benign neoplasms.

Answer 23

1) Localised 2) Non-invasive 3) Slow growth, low mitotic activity 4) Close resemblance to normal tissue 5) Normal nuclei 6) Necrosis/ulceration from slow growth 7) Exophytic growth

Question 24

What are the consequences of benign neoplasms?

Answer 24

1) Adjacent structure pressures 2) Obstruction to flow 3) Development into malignant neoplasms 4) Anxiety

Question 25

What are 7 features of malignant neoplasms?

Answer 25

1) Metastasise
2) Invasive
3) Rapid growth, high mitotic activity
4) Resemblance to normal tissue
5) Invasive nature giving poorly defined border
6) Necrosis and Ulceration
7) Endophytic Growth

Question 26

What are the consequences of malignant neoplasms?

Answer 26

1) Destruction of surrounding tissue 2)Blood loss from ulceration 3) Pain 4) Anxiety

Question 27

What are some ranges of tumours?

Answer 27

1) Sarcoma: Malignant CT neoplasm
2) Rhabdomyoma: Benign striated muscle NP
3) Adenoma: Benign glandular epithelium tumour
4) Papilloma: non-glandular benign tumour
5) Leiomyoma: benign smooth muscle neoplasm
6) Neuroma: Nerves benign neoplasm
7) Mesothelioma: Mesothelial cell malignant neoplasm
8) Lymphoma: Lymphoma cell malignant neoplasm
9) Melanoma: Melanocyte malignant neoplasm
10) Liposarcoma: Adipose tissue malignant neoplasm
11) Chondrosarcoma: Malignant neoplasm of cartilage