Carcinogenisis & Neoplasia Flashcards
Neoplasia means
New Growth
Carcinogensis means
Cancer Causing
What is cancer?
Uncontrolled, invasive, abnormal cell division/growth
‘Cancer’ refers only to
Malignant tumours
Collection of genetic mutations is called
Malignant neoplasm
Where do tumours originate? (4)
Epithelial cells (most common)
cells of blood & lymph system
connective tissue cells
neural cells
Cancer cells evade which process
Apoptosis
Oncogene definition
Any mutated gene that contributes to neoplastic transformation
Oncogenes promote:
Cell growth
cell survival
Oncogenes repress:
Cell death
differentiation
Activation of oncogenes: (4)
Point mutations
Deletions
Gene amplification
Chromosomal translocation
Gene amplification:
results in excessive production of oncogene product
Chromosomal translocation:
Where gene is activated inappropriately by another promoter region
Activation of oncogenes: (mode of action)
increased production of growth factor
increased expression of growth factor receptors
Mutant transcription factor production
over-production of factors that prevent cell death
Cancer preventing genes =
Tumour suppressor genes
