Chapter 7: Tumor Diagnosis and Staging

Question 1

Diagnosis made from cell smears, fine needle aspiration of tissue, or tissue biopsy.

Answer 1

Cytologic diagnosis

Question 2

Slides prepared from thin frozen tissue sections, stained for rapid histologic diagnosis and decisions during surgery

Answer 2

Frozen section diagnosis

Question 3

What are four tumor associated antigen tests, and what cancers are they used to diagnose?

Answer 3

1) CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen): secreted by some malignant tumors of the GI tract, pancreas, and breast.
2) PSA (prostate specific antigen): Prostate
3) CA125: Ovarian cancer
4) CD antigens: Blood and lymphatic cancers

Question 4

Which type of blood test is used to monitor the response of a patient with GI tract, pancreatic, or breast cancer to treatment?

Answer 4

CEA (carcinobembryonic antigen)

Question 5

What are tumor staging and grading used for?

Answer 5

1) To classify tumors
2) To evaluate prognosis
3) To decide on a course of treatment.

Question 6

Which way of classifying tumors is determined by microscopic appearance, growth rate, differentiation status, and hormone responsiveness?

Answer 6

Grading

Question 7

Which way of classifying tumors is determined by tumor behavior (location, size, and extent of invasion/metastasis)?

Answer 7

Staging

Question 8

What does TNM stand for in breast cancer classification?

Answer 8

1) Tumor (size)
2) Nodes (lymph node involvement)
3) Metastasis