Ch 50 Cancer

Question 1

Malignant neoplasm or cancer

Answer 1

Abnormal and unrestricted growth of cells that can invade and destroy surrounding normal body tissues

Question 2

Benign

Answer 2

Not malignant or cancerous

Question 3

Metastasize

Answer 3

Spread to distant sites

Question 4

Benign neoplasm or benign tumor

Answer 4

Usually circumscribed and encapsulated; usually grows slowly; composed of cells that resemble tissue from which it arises

Question 5

Oncology

Answer 5

Medicine branch that studies / treats cancer

Question 6

Oncologist

Answer 6

Physician specialist who treats patients with cancer

Question 7

Cancer is not a single disease but a

Answer 7

Broad classification of more than 100 types of diseases

Question 8

A malignant neoplasm typically infiltrates locally and also has the potential to metastasize or spread to distant sites. The cells are usually

Answer 8

Atypical or dysplastic and may not resemble the parent tissue

Question 9

Incidence of cancer

Answer 9

-of estimated 609,640 deaths annually from cancer, 190,509 deaths are caused by cigarette smoking
-approximately 87% of newly diagnosed cancer cases occur among people who are 55 years old and older
-health disparities have a negative impact on cancer incidence, prevalence, morbidity and mortality for some members of racial and ethnic minority groups
-other factors such as geographic location, income, education level, and a higher incidence of negative health behaviours can also disproportionately affect cancer prevention, detection and treatment

Question 10

Risk factors associated with cancer

Answer 10

-carcinogenic (cancer causing): may be environmental, behavioural, viral or genetic
-environmental carcinogenic agents: alcohol, chemical exposure, radon, radiation sunlight, hormones, asbestos
-behavioural factors that could lead to the development of cancer: tobacco use, alcohol use, overweight or obesity, poor nutrition, inactivity

Question 11

Viral links to cancer

Answer 11

Hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency virus, human papillomavirus, and helicobacter pylori

Question 12

In recent years the human papilllomavirus (HPV) has been identified as the primary causative agent for

Answer 12

Oropharyngeal and cervical cancers

Question 13

Risk factors associated with cancer: genetic factors

Answer 13

Result in potential genetic damage

Question 14

Common signs of oral cancer

Answer 14

-a swelling, lump, growth or area of induration or hardness anywhere in or about the mouth or neck that is usually painless
-erythroplakia patch (velvety, deep red)
-leukoplakia patch (white or red and white patch)
-any sore (ulcer, irritation) that does not heal after 2 weeks
-repeated bleeding from the mouth or throat
-difficulty swallowing or persistent hoarseness

Question 15

Oral cancer risk factors

Answer 15

-use of tobacco products (primarily smoked)
-prior oral cancer lesion
-excessive use of alcohol
-older age
-frequent sun exposure
-low consumption of fruits and vegetables
-HPV

Question 16

Oral complications of many cancer therapies

Answer 16

Oral mucositis
Neurotoxicity
Infection
Bleeding or hemorrhage
Xerostomia or salivary gland dysfunction
Dental caries or demineralization
Altered tooth development

Question 17

Potential complications from radiation to the head and neck: acute

Answer 17

Xerostomia
Loss of taste
Mucositis
Dysphagia
Secondary infection
Trismus
Impaired nutrition
Hearing loss
Fatigue

Question 18

Potential complications from radiation to the head and neck: chronic

Answer 18

-Xerostomia or salivary gland dysfunction
-alterations in sense of taste as compared with pre radiation status
-telangiectasia and friable mucosa
-continued fungal infections caused by lack of saliva
-osteoradionecrosis or soft tissue necrosis
-rampant caries
-muscle fibrosis, TMD, trismus
-layered tooth and jaw development in children

Question 19

Common signs and symptoms of cancer

Answer 19

-changes in bowel or bladder habits
-a sore that does not heal
-unusual bleeding or discharge
-thickening or a lump in breast or elsewhere
-indigestion or difficulty swallowing
-obvious changes in a wart or mole
-nagging cough or hoarseness

Question 20

Increased incidence of HPV-related cancers are primarily found in the

Answer 20

Tongue and oropharyngeal area of adults younger than 45 years

Question 21

Approximately 9 of every 10 oral malignancies are

Answer 21

Squamous cell carcinomas

Question 22

Oropharyngeal (sometimes called head and neck) cancers are found in the

Answer 22

Posterior part of the mouth and include the back third or base of the tongue, soft palate, lingual and palatine tonsils, and posterior pharyngeal wall

Question 23

___ is a very important component of dental hygiene care, as do continued efforts to educate the public about this life threatening cancer

Answer 23

Oral cancer screening

Question 24

HPV-oropharyngeal/head and neck cancer connection

Answer 24

HPV: most common sexually transmitted infection
-identified as causative agent for almost all cervical cancers
-thought to cause 70% of oropharyngeal cancers
-girls and women up to 26 yrs old and boy and men up to 21 yrs old should be vaccinated

Question 25

Most common site for oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas are

Answer 25

Lateral borders and ventral surfaces of tongue and floor of the mouth

Question 26

Benign and malignant tumor can be confirmed by performing a

Answer 26

Surgical biopsy

Question 27

Forms of cancer therapy

Answer 27

The choice of cancer treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer
Types of Trx include
-surgery
-radiation therapy
-chemotherapy
-immunotherapy
-targeted therapy
-hormone therapy
-bone marrow and blood stem cell transplant
-precision medicine

Question 28

Cancer therapy may include one or a combination of the following

Answer 28

Chemotherapy
Bone marrow and blood transplantation
Radiation
Surgery
Hormone therapy
Immunotherapy

Question 29

What is the goal in cancer treatment

Answer 29

To remove or totally destroy the malignant cells from the body

Question 30

Radiation therapy or radiotherapy involves a high dose of

Answer 30

Targeted radiation to kill or shrink tumors by damaging the DNA, rendering the cancer cells unable to reproduce leading to cell death

Question 31

Chemotherapy

Answer 31

He’s of toxic drugs to stop or slow the growth of quickly dividing cancer cells

Question 32

Immunotherapy

Answer 32

Using antibody drugs is an innovative group of cancer therapies that do not directly kill cells but rather use the patients own immune system to destroy the cancer cells

Question 33

Hormone therapy

Answer 33

Slows or stops the growth of tumours that depends on hormones such as breast or prostate cancer by preventing the production or normal functioning of hormones

Question 34

Stem cell transplantation

Answer 34

Sometimes referred to as a bone marrow transplant (BMT) is the placement of the healthy bone marrow into the bone cavity of the cancer patient to restore blood forming stem cells following chemotherapy or radiation therapy

Question 35

Precision medicine

Answer 35

Approach to cancer therapy based on a genetic assessment of the patients disease

Question 36

Unfortunately treatments available today are not able to

Answer 36

Target only the cancer cells and normal healthy cells must sometimes be destroyed during treatment. This may result in significant psychological stress and physical morbidity