Chapter 7 – Neoplasia: Nomenclature Flashcards
What is Neoplasia?
Neoplasia means “new growth,” and a new growth is called a neoplasm.
Tumor originally
applied to the swelling caused by inflammation, but the non-neoplastic usage of tumor has
almost vanished; thus, the term is now equated with neoplasm
What is Oncology?
Oncology (Greek oncos =
tumor) is the study of tumors or neoplasms.
What is the closes accurate definition of the term neoplasia?
Although all physicians know what they mean when they use the term neoplasm, it has been
surprisingly difficult to develop an accurate definition. The eminent British oncologist Willis [2]
has come closest:
“A neoplasm is an abnormal mass of tissue, the growth of which exceeds and
is uncoordinated with that of the normal tissues and persists in the same excessive manner
after cessation of the stimuli which evoked the change.”
We know that the persistence of
tumors,even after the inciting stimulus is gone, results from genetic alterations that are passed
down to the progeny of the tumor cells.
These genetic changes allow excessive and
unregulated proliferation that becomes autonomous (independent of physiologic growth
stimuli), although tumors generally remain dependent on the host for their nutrition and blood
supply. As we shall discuss later, the entire population of neoplastic cells within an individual
tumor arises from a single cell that has incurred genetic change, and hence tumors are said to
be clonal.
When can you say that a tumor is benign?
A tumor is said to be benign when its microscopic and gross characteristics are considered
- relatively innocent,** implying that *it will remain localized, it cannot spread to other sites, and it is
- generally amenable to local surgical removal;* the patient generally survives.
It should be noted,
however, that benign tumors can produce more than localized lumps, and sometimes they are
responsible for serious disease.
What is cancer?
Malignant tumors are collectively referred to as cancers, derived from the Latin word for crab,
because they adhere to any part that they seize on in an obstinate manner, similar to a crab.
\
When do you say that a tumor is malignant?
Malignant, as applied to a neoplasm, implies that the lesion can invade and destroy adjacent
structures and spread to distant sites (metastasize) to cause death.
Not all cancers pursue so
deadly a course. Some are discovered early and are treated successfully, but the designation
malignant always raises a red flag.
All tumors, benign and malignant, have two basic components:
- (1) clonal neoplastic cells tha tconstitute their parenchyma and
- (2) reactive stroma made up of connective tissue, blood vessels, and variable numbers of macrophages and lymphocytes.
Although the neoplastic cell largely determine a tumor’s behavior and pathologic consequences, their growth and evolution
is critically dependent on their _________
stroma.
What is the requisite for the tumor cells to live and divide?
An adequate stromal blood supply is requisite for the
tumor cells to live and divide, and the stromal connective tissue provides the structural
framework essential for the growing cells.
In addition, there is cross-talk between tumor cells
and stromal cells that directly influences the growth of tumors.
What is desmoplasia?
In other cases the parenchymal cells
stimulate the formation of an abundant collagenous stroma,referred to asdesmoplasia
In some tumors, the stromal
support is scant and so the neoplasm is soft and fleshy.
What is scirrhous?
Some
- demoplastic tumors—for example, some cancers of the female breast—are *stony hard or
- *scirrhous.**
The nomenclature of tumors and their biologic behavior are based primarily on the
_______________
parenchymal component
How do you name the benign tumors?
In general, benign tumors are designated by attaching the suffix -oma to the cell of origin.
Tumors of mesenchymal cells generally follow this rule.
a benign tumor arising in
fibrous tisssue is called a________
fibroma
What is the name for benign cartiliginous tumor?
chondroma
How do you name benign epithelial tumors?
In
contrast, the nomenclature of benign epithelial tumors is more complex. These are variously
classified, some based on their cells of origin, others on microscopic pattern, and still others on
their macroscopic architecture.
What is an adenoma?
Adenoma is applied to a benign epithelial neoplasm derived from glands, _although they may or
may not form glandular structures_
On this basis, a benign epithelial neoplasm that arises from
renal tubular cells growing in the form of numerous tightly clustered small glands would be
termed an adenoma, as would a heterogeneous mass of adrenal cortical cells growing as a
solid sheet
What is a papilloma?
- *Benign epithelial neoplasms** producing microscopically or macroscopically visible
- finger-like or warty projections** from epithelial surfaces are referred to as *_papillomas._
What are cystadenomas?
Those that
form large cystic masses, as in the ovary, are referred to as cystadenomas.
What arepapillary
cystadenomas.?
Some tumors
-
produce papillary patterns that protrude into cystic spaces* and are called **papillary
cystadenomas. **
What is a polyp?
When a neoplasm, benign or malignant, produces a macroscopically visible
projection above a mucosal surface and projects, for example, into the gastric or colonic lumen,
it is termed a polyp ( Fig. 7-1 ).
Colonic polyp. A, This benign glandular tumor (adenoma) is projecting into the
colonic lumen and is attached to the mucosa by a distinct stalk. B, Gross appearance of several colonic polyps.
FIGURE 7-2 This mixed tumor of the parotid gland contains epithelial cells forming ducts
and myxoid stroma that resembles cartilage.
