Characteristics of beign and malignant cells Flashcards
Term that means ‘lacks differentiation’ and considered as hallmark of malignancy
Anaplasia
Benign or malignant? Localized
Benign
Benign or malignant? Amenable to surgical removal
Benign
Benign or malignant? Invades and destroys adjacent tissues
Malignant
Benign neoplasms usually end with –oma, except:
- Lymphoma
- Seminoma
- Dysgerminoma
- Hepatoma
- Melanoma
- Note:*
- These are malignant neoplasms
Extent to which neoplastic cells resemble their normal forebears morphologically and functionally
Differentiation
Disorderly but non-neoplastic proliferation of cells
Dysplasia
Fibrous tissue formation in response to neoplasm
Desmoplasia
Dysplastic changes that involve the entire thickness of the epithelium, without violation of the basement membrane
Carcinoma in situ
More than any other attribute, this identifies a neoplasm as malignant
Metastasis
Next to metastasis, this is the most reliable feature that distinguishes malignant from benign tumors
Local invasiveness
T/F. Dysplasia always progress to cancer
False
T/F. Lack of capsule in a neoplastic growth indicates malignancy
False; some benign tumors are not encapsulated
Methods of dissemination of malignant neoplasms
- Seeding
- Lymphatic spread
- Hematogenous spread
This is the mode of dissemination of cancers of the ovary and CNS
Spread by seeding
This is the mode of dissemination more typical of carcinomas
Lymphatic spread
This is the mode of dissemination more typical of sarcomas
Hematogenous spread
- Memory aid:*
- sHarcoma
What are the most common sites of metastasis involved in hematogenous dissemination of cancer?
Liver and lungs
Most tumors tend to metastasize via the lymphatics or blood vessels. Which among these deviate from the more common pattern of spread and metastasize over the surface of viscera or body cavities?
- Colon CA
- Gastric CA
- Mesothelioma
- Hepatoblastoma
Answer: C
- Mesothelioma
Rationale:
- Pattern of spread for mesothelioma is distinctive, it can even be diagnosed radiologically by a thick rind of tumor tissue it characteristically produces over the surface of involved lung
