Cell pathology 3- Cancer (incomplete)

Question 1

Define Neoplasm

Answer 1

abnormal mass of tissue, the growth of which is virtually autonomous and exceeds that of normal tissues. The growth is uncoordinated and persists after the cessation of the stimuli that initiated the change.

Question 2

Define Metastasis

Answer 2

the development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer.

Question 3

What features distinguish benign from maligant tumours

Answer 3

Differences in differentiation:
Malignant tumours show anaplasia
Benign tumour cells are relatively well differentiated
A well differentiated tumour is one where we can recognise which tissue it came from

Rate of Growth:
Benign tumour are slower growing than malignant tumours

Local Invasion:
Benign tumours don’t tend to infiltrate the basal lamina
Malignant tumours infiltrate the basal lamina

Metastasis:
Benign tumours don’t metastasise

Question 4

4 mechanisms of metastasis

Answer 4

Lymphatic

Haematogenous

Body Cavities

Contiguous (sharing a common border/touching)

Question 5

Which environmental agents increase the risk of cancer?

Answer 5

UV Light, occuplational agents, diet and weight, alcohol, smoking, infections (notably HPV)

Question 6

What are the 3 main mechanisms for hereditary cancers and give examples of each

Answer 6

Autosomal dominant inherited cancer syndrome
EXAMPLES: retinoblastoma, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)

Defective DNA repair mechanisms
Recessive
EXAMPLE: Bloom syndrome

Familial Cancer Syndromes
No one really knows what causes it but it’s a combination of genetic defects
EXAMPLE: Breast Cancer

Question 7

3 examples of oncogenes associated with tumours

Answer 7

myc Burkitt lymphoma

N-myc Neuroblastoma

CyclinD1 Mantle cell lymphoma

Question 8

3 examples of Tumour suppressor gene

Answer 8

Rb gene
p53
BRCA-1/2

Question 9

Gene involved in apoptosis

Answer 9

blc-2