Cancer Classification Flashcards
4 main types of cancers
Epithelial
Mesenchymal
Haemotological
Neuroectoderm - Melanocytes and glial cells of CNS
Epithelial tumours points (2)
Occurs on epithelia line on internal and external body surfaces
Defined by resting on a basement membrane
Skin epithelium type
Keratinised squamous epithelium with adnexal structures
Internal epithelium type - Mouth, cervix, vagina, oesophagus
Non keratinised squamous epithelium
Ciliated epithelium type
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Epithelial malignancy key points (3)
Specific term is CARCINOMA
The older the person the higher the risk - Rare in children
Associated with long term environmental risk factors accumulation
Common epithelial malignancy types and routes (4)
Lung metastases to bone, brain, adrenal glands, liver
Breast similar to lung
GI malignancies to liver (Other sites are rare)
Prostate can be ANYWHERE
Mesenchymal tumours key points (4)
Specific term is SARCOMA
Involves connective tissues everywhere
Relatively rare - But more common in children compared to epithelial tumours
Local growth is defining feature
Tumour terms for smooth muscle (2)
Leiomyoma
Sarcoma
Tumour terms for skeletal muscle (2)
Rhabdomyoma
Sarcoma
Tumour terms for fat (2)
Lipoma
Liposarcoma
Tumour terms for bone (2)
Osteoma
Osteosarcoma
Tumour terms for cartilage (2)
Chondroma
Chondrosarcoma
Tumour terms for blood vessels (2)
Haemangioma
Angiosarcoma
Tumour terms for nerves (2)
Neuroma
MPNST - malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour
Mesenchymal tumours spread (2)
Lymphatic spread is rare
Haemotogenous spread is later feature
Mesenchymal tumours morphology (2)
Spindle cell lesions - Elongated tapered shaped and solid
Closely linked to age, sex, anatomical relationships, genetic translocation
Haemotological malignancy types and what cells are involved (2)
Myeloid - Red cells, platelets, granulocytes
Lymphoid - B and T cells
Haemotological malignancy key point
Don’ t metastasise as the whole body is involved - Example is lymphoma (Tumour like masses in lymph nodes)
Haemotological malignancy indications (5)
Large lymph nodes across areas that don’t fit with anatomical drainage of an epithelial malignancy
May involve liver and spleen diffusely - Organomegaly
Symptoms are from bone marrow involvement - Anaemia, bleedings, infections
FBC is crucial - High indicates abnormal cells while low indicates marrow involvement
Involves B-symptoms - Night sweats, weight loss
Haemotological malignancy morphology (3)
Solid white masses
Resemble cell of origin under microscope - Small round blue cells
Look monotonous and clonal rather than pleomorphic
Neuroectoderm tumours types (3)
Melanoma is most common
Gilomas (Brain tumours) are rare
Lesions in brain are normally metastasis
Brain tumour key points (3)
Primary brain cancers stay within brain (no metastases) - Lymphatics or otherwise
Not denoted as benign, malignant or premalignant
Recognized as spectrum - Grade 1 to 3
