Cards Flashcards
What is cancer?
A single transformed cell that does not conform to regulation of cellular differentiation and proliferation, forming a clone and continuing to grow without respect to body needs.
What is the pathophysiology of cancer?
Uncontrolled cell growth due to genetic mutations, often in proto-oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes.
How do mutations affect cells in cancer?
Mutations impair cells’ ability to undergo apoptosis, resulting in tumor formation. These cells can invade nearby tissues or spread to distant organs.
What are the hallmarks of cancer?
Sustained proliferative signaling, evasion of growth suppressors, resistance to apoptosis, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, and activating invasion and metastasis.
What occurs during the Interphase of the cell cycle?
DNA is replicated.
What happens in the G2 Phase of the cell cycle?
Cell growth continues, enzymes and other proteins are synthesized, and replication of centrosomes is completed.
What occurs during the G1 Phase of the cell cycle?
Cell is metabolically active, duplicates organelles and cytosolic components, and starts replicating centrosomes.
What role does P53 play in the cell cycle?
P53 blocks the cell cycle if there is damage and increases in damaged cells to assist in repair. Mutation of P53 is the most frequent leading cause of cancer.
What are carcinogens?
Cancer-causing substances that can initiate the development of malignant tumors by inducing genetic changes.
What is carcinogenesis?
The formation of cancer where cells are transformed into cancer cells, involving a multi-step process and a number of genetic mutations.
What percentage of cancer cases is due to hereditary predisposition?
5-10%.
What factors contribute to carcinogenesis?
Alcohol, smoking, radiation, gender, ionizing radiation, UV rays, x-rays, Hep B/C, oncogenic viruses, parasites, immunocompromised states, limited access to healthcare, education, income level, occupational hazards, and overproduction of internal hormones like estrogen.
What percentage of cancers occur due to environmental exposure?
75%.
What is primary prevention in cancer?
Ensures cancer never develops.
What is secondary prevention in cancer?
Detects and treats cancer early.
