Cancer L9 - SP1 Flashcards
Cancer
Abnormal uncontrolled growth of previously normal cells.
What is the result of changes to a cells DNA?
Loss of functionality of the cell. Rapid cell division. Accumulations of abnormal cells. Possible growth of cells beyond the tissue border. Invasion into other tissues. Spread to the rest of the body.
Tumour
Accumulations of abnormal cells.
Metastasis
Spread to the rest of the body.
Dysplasia
Abnormal cells. An indicator that cells are beginning to grow in an abnormal way.
Steps of alterations in tissues during cancer.
Healthy cells -> Dysplasia -> carcinoma in situ -> Localized invasive cancer -> Regional lymph involvement -> Distant metastases.
Cancer accounts for what percent of all deaths?
13%
What are the major types of cancer?
Lung, stomach, colorectal, liver, and breast.
Is the total number of cancer cases globally increasing or decreasing?
Increasing.
Why is it projected that the number of global cancer cases will increase?
The global population is increasing and getting older.
What percent of Canadians have some form of cancer?
30%
What province in Canada has the lowest incidence of cancer?
BC
What province in Canada has the highest incidence of cancer?
Quebec
Is cancer more common in men or women?
Men
What are the three main categories of carcinogens?
Physical, chemical and biological.
What are examples of physical carcinogens?
Ultraviolet light and ionizing radiation
What are examples of chemical carcinogens?
Asbestos, tobacco smoke, arsenic.
What are examples of biological carcinogens?
Viruses, bacteria, parasites
Other than carcinogens, what is a fundamental factor for the development of cancer?
Aging.
Why is aging a fundamental factor for the development of cancer?
Reduced cellular repair mechanisms = increased risk for specific cancers. Incidence of neoplasias increases with age.
Cancer is possible the youngest or oldest disease?
Oldest
How do we know that cancer is a very old disease?
Archaeologists have made many discoveries of old bones with cancer.
Most importantly, cancer is a disease of ___
Age
Why do we see so much cancer today?
We live longer. Our understanding and knowledge of cancer has increased, and imaging techniques have enabled earlier diagnosis.
Four principal types of cancer based on function and structure.
Epithelial tissue. Connective tissue. Muscle tissue. Nervous tissue.
Microscopic appearance of cancer cells.
Large number of irregularly shaped dividing cells. Large, variably shaped nuclei. Small cytoplasmic volume relative to nuclei. Variation in cell size and shape. Loss of normal specialized cell features. Disorganized arrangement of cells. Poorly defined tumour boundary.
Neoplasm
“New growth.” Refers to abnormal tissue growth. Typically the growth is clonal. Growth is uncoordinated and autonomous which arises due to genetic changes.
Tumour
a solid mass of clonal cells
The opposite of “malignant” is…
benign
Benign
Localized and amenable to surgery/cure. Designated by “-oma.” Doesn’t typically grow forever. Lacks the capacity to metastasize.
Can a benign tumour ever kill you?
Yes
How could a benign tumour kill you?
If it’s in the middle of your brain or in a heart value, it could prevent the normal functioning of those organs.
Is a malignant tumour always a bad thing?
No
Why isn’t a malignant tumour always bad?
Some grow very slowly. They can be removed and won’t grow back fast enough to pose a threat.