Ch 25 - Introduction to oncologic surgery Flashcards
Generally speaking, what alterations results in the formation of cancer?
- Activation of tumour-promoting factors via oncogenes
or - Loss of innate tumour inhibitory effects via tumour suppressor genes (e.g. p53 “guardian of the genome”)
What are the phenotypic characterisitics of cancer cells?
- Self-sufficiency in growth signals
- Insensitivity to anti-growth signals
- Tissue invasion and metastasis
- Limitless replicative potential
- Sustained angiogenesis
- Evasion of apoptosis
Which forms of neoplasia have confirmed, true genetic heritability in animals?
- Osteosarcoma of Scottish Deerhounds
- Renal cystadenocarcinoma in GSD
- Nodular dermatofibrosis in GSD
List some biologic carcinogens in animals
- FeLV and lymphoproliferative diseases
- Feline sarcoma virus and FSA (must also be infected with FeLV)
- Papillomavirus in puppies. Papilloma can klead to formation of SCC in rare cases
- Spircocerca lupi and viral oesophageal sarcomas in dogs
- Transmissible venereal tumour by direct cellular transmission
List some physical carcinogens
- Asbestos and mesothelioma in humans
- Injection-site sarcoma in cats
- Post-trauma ocular sarcomas
- Microchip-associated FSA
- TPLO metallurgy and canine OSA
List the four possible mechanisms which can transform genes into oncogenes
- Retrovirus-mediated transduction
- Translocation mutation
- Amplification
- Proviral insertion
Translation of oncogenes leads to transcription of key proteins such as….
- Growth factors
- Growth factor receptors
- Cytoplasmic kinases/Ras
- Transcription factors
- Antiapoptotic proteins
What are Ras oncogenes?
Lead to production of membrane-associated proteins that have a key role in cell signalling leading to activation of various cell-proliferative pathways
What are the two forms of tumour suppressor genes?
- Gate keepers - Inhibit growth while promoting cell death (eg. p53)
- Care takers - Ensure DNA repair while maintaining genomic stability
p53 is one of the most common mutations. It is crucial for normal cell cycle and serves as a checkpoint for entry into apoptosis
In general, how do carcinomas, round cell tumours and sarcomas metastasise?
- Carcinomas and round cell tumours via lymphatics
- Sarcomas via haematogenous routes
How do metastatic cells survive in their new environment?
- Progressive hypoxia due to proliferation (need to be 100-200mcm from capillary bed for continued growth)
- Hypoxia activates hypoxia-induced factor (HIF1alpha), an oxygen-dependant transcription factor
- HIF-1a induced transcription of tumour-derived growth factos such as VEGF
- Growth factors lead to endothelial recruitment and eventual organisation in capillaries
What factors need to be considered when choosing a biopsy?
- Invasiveness of procedure
- Potential for haemorrhage
- Seeding of tumour cells
- Will it change the treatment plan
How can nuclear scintigraphy be applied to dogs with OSA? What substance is used for this?
Technetium-99m hydromethylene diphosphate used for a whole body scan to detect aymphtomatic synchronous or asymptomatic lesions
In one study, 7.8% of 399 dogs with appendicular OSA were diagnosed with a second asymptomatic lesion. Not good candidates for amputation
List some uses of nuclear scintigraphy
- Technetium-99m hydromethyl diphosphate for OSA to detect multiple lesions or to define margins for limb-sparing
- Technetium-99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid for GFR prior to nephrectomy
- Technetium-99m for thyroid tumours to identify metastatic or ectopic disease
- Indium-111 pentetreotide (somatostatin receptor scan) to identify primary and metastatic lesions in dogs with functional insulinomas
What is a PET-CT?
What are its limitations?
A radiopharmaceutical (F-fluorodeoxyglucose FDG) is used and is transported into and trapped inside tumour cells because it is not utlised in the glycolic pathway. Signal is higher in tumour cells as they have a higher uptake of glucose
Limitations
- Not all tumours will have increased uptake
- Non-specific (inflammation reacts similarly)
- Not readily available
What size metastatic lesions can be seen on thoracic radiographs and CT?
- 6mm on radiographs
- 1mm on CT