Cellular pathology of cancer Flashcards
What is metaplasia?
A reversible change in which one adult cell type (usually epithelial) is replaced by another adult cell type.
Increased risk of developing cancer.
Adaptive.
What is dysplasia?
An abnormal pattern of growth in which some of the cellular and architectural features of malignancy are present.
Pre-invasive stage with intact basement membrane- easy to treat.
Increased nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio.
Loss of architectural orientation.
Loss in uniformity of individual cells.
Hyperchromatic, enlarged nuclei.
Abundant, abnormal mitotic figures in places where they are not usually found.
What is the difference between low-grade and high-grade dysplasia?
Low-grade is less likely to progress to cancer, whereas high-grade is more likely to become cancerous.
What is neoplasia?
An abnormal, autonomous proliferation of cells unresponsive to normal growth mechanisms.
What are some features of benign tumours?
Do not invade Do not metastasise Encapsulated Usually well differentiated Slowly growing Normal mitoses
In what situations may benign tumours be fatal?
In a dangerous place Secretes something dangerous Gets infected Bleeds Ruptures Torts (twists)
What are some features of malignant tumours?
Invade surrounding tissues Spread to distant sites No capsule Well to poorly differentiated Rapidly growing Abnormal mitoses
What is metastasis?
A discontinuous growing colony of tumour cells, at some distance from the primary cancer.
Depends on the lymphatic and vascular drainage of the primary site.
Lymph node involvement has a worse prognosis.
What is a tumour?
Swelling
What is papilloma?
A benign tumour of surface epithelium, e.g. skin, bladder.
What is adenoma?
A benign tumour of glandular epithelium, e.g. stomach, thyroid, colon, kidney, pituitary, pancreas.
What is carcinoma?
A malignant tumour derived from epithelium- may be squamous cell, adenocarcinoma, transitional cell, basal cell carcinoma.
Give an example of a benign soft tissue tumour.
Osteoma
What is sarcoma?
A malignant tumour derived from connective tissue (mesenchymal) cells.
Fat = liposarcoma
Bone = osteosarcoma
Cartilage = chondrosarcoma
Striated muscle = rhabdomyosarcoma
Smooth muscle = leiomyosarcoma
Nerve sheath = malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour
What is leukaemia?
A malignant tumour of bone marrow derived cells which circulate in the blood.
