Carcinogenesis and Chemotherapy Flashcards
What is the greatest cancer risk?
Aging
What is the transformation of normal tissue into cancer cells called?
carcinogenesis
What are four sources of carcinogenesis?
- Natural radiation (cosmic, radon) 2. Environmental (benzopyrene in cigarette smoke, nitrates in good old hot dogs)
- Viral transformation (Hep B risk for liver cancer, HPV to cervical cancer)
- Spontaneous (immune failure)
What is the mechanism for carcinogenesis?
Normal gene function transforms Suppressor genes subverted
Telomerase immortalize the bad cells
Proto-oncogenes converted to oncogenes by mutations is an example of what?
transformation of normal gene function in carcinogenesis
What is the name for the protective suppressor genes that get subverted in carcinogenesis?
Anti-oncogenes
What is the two step process of carcinogenesis and is the order important?
- Initiation (mutational injury)
- Promotion (clonal expansion of injured cells)
Initiation before promotion is critical
How is a tumor cell different and the same as its host cell?
Different because mechanixm of growth control is absent.
Same biochemically to host tissue from which the tumor derived
Is tumor cell growth endocrine or autocrine?
Autocrine, from growth factors secreted by itself
What usually kills the patient?
The invasiveness of the tumor.
Is the tumor fed from the same supply as the tissue it invades?
No, require independent nutrient/ O2 supply
What are the three primary approaches for management of cancer?
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
What is usually the first step for cancer treatment?
Surgical resection to decrease tumor burden
What treatment is indicated for control of regional micrometastases and unresectable lesions?
Radiation
Radiation and surgery both require what for treatment?
Tumor localization
What is the treatment used for the systemic treatment of micrometastatic disease in other organs which can be used without surgery and radiation or in conjunction with surgery and radiation?
Chemotherapy
What is the term for chemotherapy accompanying surgery and radiation?
Adjuvant therapy
When is patient considered cured of cancer?
When 5 year disease free
What does complete response/remission mean?
tumors gone
What does partial response/ partial remission mean?
Tumor shrunk 50%
What does “stable disease” mean with regards to cancer?
The tumor is neither growing nor shrinking
What does “progressive disease” mean?
The tumor is growing
After non-curative therapy, what is the character of the cancer once it returns?
Resistant to therapy
What are the three chemotherapy regimens?
- Induction therapy
- Consolidation therapy
- Maintenance therapy
What is the term for chemotherapy that seeks rapid reduction in tumor cell burden?
Induction therapy
What is the term for chemotherapy that seeks to complete or extend initial remission?
Consolidation therapy
What is the term for chemotherapy that seeks to sustain the remission for as long as possible?
Maintenance therapy
Watch and wait therapy is used mainly for what cancer type?
Slow growing cancer: leukemia, lymphoma, prostate