Chapter 15 Flashcards
The second leading cause of death in the US. A condition characterized by the uncontrollable growth of cells. It develops from a single cell that goes awry, but a combination of events must occur before the cell turns into a tumor. With 30 billion cells in a healthy person, 1 out of 3 people can develop this.
Cancer
What are the four most common cancers:
- lung
- colon
- breast
- prostate
A mass of extra tissue created from a single cell producing thousands of copies of itself in an uncontrollable manner.
Tumor
Divide when needed to replace cells that have died o been sloughed off.
Healthy cells
Each time a cell divides, there is a possibility for this. Occur randomly, but the risk is increased by exposure to substances like tobacco smoke, radiation, and toxic chemicals. Can start a cell down a path towards cancer.
Mutation
How mutations are dealt with:
-Enzymes within the nucleus of cells scan DNA as it replicates to look for errors
If error is detected: - enzyme backtracks and repairs it
If there is so much damage it can’t be prepared: - cells self-destruct
-cells divide till they are incapable of further division and die along with mutations that may occur with it
- immune system watch over cells and ones that aren’t growing normally are destroyed by immune system
Often display an antigen, like a flag, on their cellular surface. When the antigen is detected by immune cells, the cell is labeled for destruction.
Cancer cells
Do not differentiate into specific cell types (such as nerve, skin, or bone cells) during prenatal development and are capable of unlimited division. Have the ability to become different cell types. They are deep within tissues protected from exposure to sun, chemicals, and irritation as prevention to help prevent cancer. Stem cells have a self-destruction system if they do experience DNA damage or exposure to a toxin. A small number are found in most tissues to use for replacement of lost or damaged cell lines. Highest number of these are found in skin, blood, lung lining, intestines, endocrine cells, and liver.
Stem cells
What cells are most susceptible to cancer risk because they do not have a predetermined number of cell divisions?
stem cells
True or False?
Stem cells can become anything we need them to be which is why they are so important in research and treatment.
True
How stem cells become cancer cells:
- mutated cells have to escape restraints made by healthy cells
-carcinogens - mutation of oncogene
- hyperplasia
- dysplasia
-tumors - metastasis
A cancer causing substance or agent in the environment
carcinogen
Mutation that causes a cell to grow and divide indefinitely ignoring signal from surrounding cells.
oncogene
cell overgrowth
hyperplasia
Develops at the site, and cells become abnormal.
dysplasia
Grows slowly and is unlikely to spread. Dangerous if they grow in locations where they interfere with normal functioning and cannot be removed without destroying healthy tissue, as in the brain.
Benign tumor
Capable of invading surrounding tissue and spreading. These cells do not stick together as much as normal cells, as this grows, some cancer cells may break off, enter the lymphatic system or bloodstream and travel to nearby lymph nodes or to distant sites of the body.
Malignant tumor
At a new site, the cancerous cell can grow and become a secondary tumor or this. When a cancer spreads from one part of the body to another it is said to have done this.
metastasis or metastasized
How cancers are classified:
- where the cancer originates called the primary site
- tumors are graded on how much cells resemble healthy cells (stages 0-IV)
- stages of disease depends on how far the cancer has spread
- prognosis depends on stage of tumor and type of cancer
When a cancer is still at its primary site, it is said to be this.
localized
When the cancer has metastasized, it is referred to has this.
invasive
A process that helps guide treatment choices and predict prognosis.
diagnosis
Outcome. Related to stage of tumor but also depends on the kind of cancer.
prognosis
A description of how far the cancer has spread. Staging system for cancers. (Stage 0-IV) or (grade 0-IV).
Stage of disease
Cancer in situ, an early cancer that is present only in the layer of cells where it began.
Stage 0
Cancer is small and localized. Well-differentiated and low grade.
Stage I