Cancer Vocabulary Video Flashcards
Definition:
- Abnormal growth of tissue into a mass, for which the cells are no longer responsive to normal control mechanisms
- Used synonymously with “tumor”
- Can be benign or malignant
Neoplasm
(“new growth”)
Definition:
- Malignant neoplasm
Cancer
Definition:
Spread of cancer to the secondary, distant site(s)
Metastasis
List common sites of metastasis:
- Lymph node
- Lung
- Liver
- Spleen
- Bone
Routes of Metastasis:
- Blood vessels
Sarcomas
Routes of Metastasis:
- Lymphatic
Carcinomas
List the 3 categories of cells that become cancerous:
- Epithelial => Cells that line surfaces of the body
- Mesenchymal => Cells of connective tissue
- Round Cells
Benign epithelial tumors end in …
“-oma”
Malignant epithelial tumors end in …
“-carcinoma”
Malignant mesenchymal tumors end in …
“-sarcoma”
What is the gold standard for diagnosing cancer?
Histopathology (+/- Immunohistochemistry)
Definition:
Description of a tumor based on how abnormal the cells and tissue appear under a microscope
Grade
- Requires biopsy and histopathology
- Tumors with higher grade are more likely to act aggressively
List the common tumors where a grade has a prognostic significance:
- Mast cell tumors
- Lymphoma
- Mammary Carcinoma
- Soft tissue sarcoma
(T/F) Grade equals stage
False
(T/F) You can grade a tumor with just cytology
False
