Cancer Study Guide #3

Question 1

Cancer grade

Answer 1

A classification system that characterizes cancer cells based upon how similar they look to their normal
counterparts.

Question 2

Cancer stage

Answer 2

A classification system that describes the extent to which a tumor has spread.

Question 3

Metastasis

Answer 3

The spread of malignant tumor cells to other parts of the body through blood/lymph vessels.

Question 4

Angiogenesis

Answer 4

The process of growing new blood/lymph vessels..

Question 5

Benign tumor

Answer 5

A tumor that is hyper-proliferating, but has not spread beyond the local area of the epithelium where it
originated – not cancerous

Question 6

Malignant tumor

Answer 6

Hyperproliferating tumor that has acquired the ability to migrate into the surrounding stroma - cancerous

Question 7

Metastatic tumor

Answer 7

A hyperproliferating malignant tumor that has acquired the ability to travel through the blood and lymph to
secondary sites – cancerous.

Question 8

Biopsy

Answer 8

A sample of tissue used for diagnostic purposes

Question 9

Diagnostic test

Answer 9

A test performed to identify the nature of a cancer

Question 10

Endoscopy

Answer 10

The examination of the interior of a body canal, such as the esophagus, bladder, stomach, or colon, using a
flexible camera.

Question 11

Leukemia’s

Answer 11

A group of cancers of white blood cells that typically originate in the bone marrow.

Question 12

Mastectomy

Answer 12

Surgical removal of all or part of a breast.

Question 13

Relapse

Answer 13

The return of symptoms of cancer following a period of remission.

Question 14

Remission

Answer 14

Reduction of cancer symptoms that indicates absence of disease

Question 15

Hospice

Answer 15

A program /shelter that provides care to decrease pain and symptoms for patients as well as addressing
emotional and spiritual needs of the patient.

Question 16

Compare and contrast the three types of tumors (Benign, Malignant, and Metastatic) and be able to explain how each occurs in the body

Answer 16

Benign- can grow but cannot migrate
Malignant- can invade the stroma
Metastatic- can travel to distant sites via the bloodstream

Question 17

Explain the ABCDE of Skin tumors

Answer 17

A- Asymmetrical
B- Borders are irregular
C- Color
D- Diameter is over 6mm
E- Evolving in shape, size, color, elevation, or other trait.

Question 18

Explain the three grades of cancer cells and what they each mean

Answer 18

Grade 1- cells hyper-proliferate but look normal
Grade 2- cells hyper-proliferate and look abnormal
Grade 3- hyper-proliferate, de-differentiated
The more a tumor is de-differentiated the more likely it is to be invasive

Question 19

Explain in detail the four stages of cancer and be able to determine what stage a cancer is from a random description

Answer 19

Stage 0- benign, remains within basement membrane
Stage 1- malignant, small tumor, local invasion
Stage 2- malignant, large tumor, small invasion
Stage 3- metastatic, large tumor, lymph node invasion
Stage 4- metastatic, tumor migrates to other organs

Question 20

Explain how cancer cells migrate thorough the body by invasion and metastasis (include what proteases do and how angiogenesis works)

Answer 20

Proteases loosen the stroma, allowing the cancer to break through the basement membrane and metastasize. And the angiogenesis allows it to feed off of the nutrients, oxygen, and blood from other cells.

Question 21

What is the difference between a Screen and a Diagnostic Test, give examples of both, and explain them

Answer 21

Screen test- mammogram, a preventative test used to check if cancer is present

Diagnostic test- biopsy, used to identify a cancer after someone already has a disease

Question 22

What are the three main strategies for treating cancer and list all of their pros and cons (Be able to read a case study and determine the best course of action)

Answer 22

Surgery: Pro-Simplest, what’s gone can’t grow and spread. Cons- tissue loss messes with organs, pain/trauma, clean removal, metastasis, infection
Radiation: Pros- minimally invasive, highly localized, some cancers are very susceptible. Cons- must know location, dose must be minimized, damages reproductive organs, some cancers aren’t susceptible
Chemotherapy: Pros- treats whole body, combine drugs to minimize resistance, can tailor to specific cancers. Cons- kills all rapidly dividing cells so it doesn’t kill slow cells, some cancers are resistant, some cancers develop resistance.

Question 23

What is the difference between Remission and Relapse in cancer terms

Answer 23

Remission is where your cancer symptoms subside And it appears as you no longer have the disease

Relapse is where the symptoms come back after remission.

Question 24

List and explain the three-different way to manage cancer symptoms and explain how they are interconnected.

Answer 24

Palliative therapy: provides relief of pain, part of standard cancer treatment protocols, begins at diagnosis and continues throughout treatment
Alternate therapy’s: acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage, exercise, yoga , diet, etc.
Hospice: palliative care at the end of life, transition from curing to caring, significant pain management