Ch. 19 Concepts of Cancer Development

Question 1

Cancer Development

Answer 1

Type of abnormal cell growth in which cellular regulation is lost

Develops when something goes wrong in the cell process and cancer cells crowd out normal cells

Question 2

Cellular Regulation

Answer 2

Genetic and physiologic process that controls cellular growth, replication, differentiation, and function to maintain homeostasis

Question 3

Benign Cells

Answer 3

Non-cancerous/Non-malignant

Normal cells at wrong place/wrong time

No invasion

Ex: moles, fibroid tumors, skin tags, polyps

Question 4

Cancer Cells

Answer 4

Rapid division, invasion, migrate

Abnormal cells

No useful function

Harmful to body tissues

Question 5

Primary Tumor

Answer 5

The original group of cancer cells

Organs (brain or lung) grow and invade function

Soft tissue expand w/out damage (breast)

Question 6

Secondary Tumor

Answer 6

Most common spreading through blood and/or lymph system

Ex: Pt w/ breast cancer and then develops a brain mass

Question 7

Metastasis

Answer 7

When cancer cells move from primary location

Carcinogens: chemicals, physical agents, viruses

Initiation: irreversible event

Promotion: enhanced growth

Progression: continued change of the cancer, malignant over time

Question 8

Factors Causing Cancer

Answer 8

Advancing age

Increase external exposures and decreased immunity

Chemical & Physical factors - tobacco use

Ionizing radiation/UV radiation

Viral factors - EBC, Hep, HIV, HPV

Dietary factors

Question 9

Tumor, Node, Metastasis (TNM)

Answer 9

Used to describe anatomic extent of cancers

Primary Tumor: T > Tx-T4 (sizing)

Regional Lymph Node: N > Nx-N3 (lymph node involvement)

Distant Metastasis: M > Mx-M11 (mets spread/distance)

Question 10

Cancer Classification

Answer 10

Type of tissue and anatomic site:

Solid - breast or lung cancer

Hematologic - leukemia or lymphoma

Tumor can be benign (adenoma; -oma) or malignant (adenocarcinoma; -carcinoma)

Question 11

What are the breasts secondary metastasis sites?

Answer 11

Bone
Lung
Liver
Brain

Question 12

What are the lungs secondary metastasis sites?

Answer 12

Brain
Bone
Liver
Lymph
Pancreas

Question 13

What are the colorectal secondary metastasis sites?

Answer 13

Liver
Lymph System

Question 14

What are the prostate secondary metastasis sites?

Answer 14

Bone
Pelvic

Question 15

What are the melanoma secondary metastasis sites?

Answer 15

GI
Lymph
Lung
Brain

Question 16

What are the brains secondary metastasis sites?

Answer 16

CNS

Question 17

Cancer Primary Prevention

Answer 17

Strategies to prevent actual occurrence of cancer

Avoidance - smoking, ETOH, sun

Modify risk factors - safe sex, ETOH, diet

Removal of risk factors - removal of mole or breast

Vaccination - HPV

Chemo-prevention

Question 18

Cancer Secondary Prevention

Answer 18

Use of screening strategies to detect cancer early

Regular/routine screening - mammogram, colonoscopy, breast/testicular exam, GYN exam

Genetic testing

Pt education of lowering risk of cancer - avoid excessive fat, nitrates, red meat, ETOH; eat more bran, veggies, foods high in vitamin A&C