Chapter 7: Neoplasm/Tumor Classification 1 Flashcards
An overgrowth of cells that serves no useful purpose.
Neoplasm
Dysregulated or abnormal growth
dysplasia
Any type of malignant growth
Cancer
What are the two broadest classifications of tumor?
Malignant v benign
What distinguishes a benign tumor from a malignant tumor?
Benign tumors grow slow, expand without infiltrating tissues, remain localized, and contain cells that are well-differentiated.
Malignant tumors grow rapidly, infiltrate tissues, metastasize via the bloodstream and lymphatic system, and are poorly differentiated.
What is the root cause of neoplasms?
Damaged DNA.
True or false: Neoplasms take many years to grow to a clinically detectable size, transform from benign to malignant slowly, and only spread if they can access the blood or lymphatic system.
True
True or false: The immune system is very efficient at cancer removal.
False; it has an important role in cancer prevention, but is less efficient at cancer removal.
What types of tumors usually have a smooth, rounded outline, are encapsulated by a membrane, and have cells that appear much like normal cells?
Benign
True or false: Malignant tumors can cause death no matter where they occur.
True
True or false: Benign tumors never cause death.
False; depends on where they occur (e.g., brain)
What are the characteristics of a malignant tumor?
1) It’s cells do not appear normal.
2) Have irregular borders and send “claw-like” extensions into neighboring tissue.
3) Exhibit areas of necrosis, hemorrhage, or other irregularities.
4) Spreads into other parts of the body via blood or lymph, forming secondary growths
What is the primary cause of death from cancer?
Metastases
How are benign tumors named?
By adding the suffix -oma to the name of the cells of origin.
What is adenoma?
Benign tumor of glandular epithelium
