Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Mechanism of Disease > Characteristics of tumours > Flashcards

Characteristics of tumours Flashcards

1
Q

Define cancer

A

Uncontrolled growth of cells which can invade and spread to distant sites of the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define neoplasm

A

Lesion resulting from the autonomous (abnormal) growth of cells that persists in the absence of the initiating stimulus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define histogenesis

A

Differentiation of cells into specialised tissues/organs during growth from undifferentiated cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the classifications of histogenic cancers?

A
  • Epithelial cells= Carcinomas
  • Connective tissues= Sarcomas
  • Lymphoid/haeatopoietic organs= lymphomas/leukaemias
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How are tumours characterised?

A
  • Differentiation
  • Rate of growth
  • Local invasion
  • Metastasis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define differentiation in terms of cancer cells and link this to benign tumours & malignant neoplasms

A

Extent that neoplastic cells resemble the corresponding normal parenchymal cells, functionally & morphological
B-Well differentiated, mitoses rare
M-Anaplastic (poor differentiation), wide range of differentiation, most exhibit morphologic alterations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What morphological changes can be observed in differentiation?

A
  • Pleomorphism
  • Abnormal nuclear morphology
  • Mitoses
  • Loss of polarity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is pleomorphism?

A
  • Variation in size/shape
  • Large cells multinucleated
  • Large cells w/one huge nucleus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is abnormal nuclear morphology?

A
  • Nuclei appear too large for the cell
  • Nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio is 1:1 rather than 1:4or6
  • Variability in nuclear shape= irregular or ‘making pictures’
  • Chromatic distribution coarsley clumped & along cell membrane
  • Hyperchromatism
  • Abnormally large nucleoli
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is different about mitoses in cancer?

A
  • Tripolar/quadripolar/multipolar spindles
  • Indication of proliferation
  • Usually seen in tissue with rapid turnover
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is loss of polarity?

A
  • Disorganised growth

- Orientation of cells is disturbed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does grade mean when talking about tumours?

A
  • Closely related to differentiation
  • GRADE1= Well differentiated
  • GRADE2= moderately differentiated
  • GRADE3= poorly differentiated
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does stage mean when referring to tumours?

A

-Measure of prognosis/therapeutic decision

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What changes in function can occur in tumour cells?

A
  • Some tumours express foetal proteins not seen in adults
  • Some express proteins only normally found in other adult cells
  • Benign & well-differentiated carcinomas usually secrete hormones characteristic of origin
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are examples of paraneoplastic syndromes?

A
  • Bronchogenic carcinoma
  • Insulin
  • Glucagon
  • Parathyroid-like hormone
  • Corticotropin
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is characteristic of local invasion by a benign or cancerous tumour?

A

B- cohesive mass, localised to site of origin, no capacity to infiltrate/invade, encapsulated (rim of compressed fibrous tissue, ECM deposited by stroma cells)
C-invasion, destruction, infiltration, pseudoencapsulation (slow growing rows of cells penetrating margin)

17
Q

What are pathways of metastasis? Describe them

A
  • Direct seeding=Neoplasm penetrates a natural open field without physical barriers (peritoneal cavity) can remain confined
  • Lymphatic spread= most common, lymph node involvement follows rout of lymphatic drainage, determination of axillary node status determines future course of disease & therapy
  • Haematogenous spread= typically sarcomas, veins more easily penetrated as thinner walls, blood borne cells follow venous flow draining site of the neoplasm
18
Q

What are sentinel nodes?

A
  • First node in a regional lymphatic basin that receive lymphatic flow from the primary tumour
  • Identified by injection of coloured dye
19
Q

Why are regional nodes used?

A
  • Effective barriers to further tumour dissemination

- Cells arrest within node and can then be destroyed by tumour specific immune response

20
Q

Define stroma and what it provides

A
  • Connective tissue framework that neoplastic cells are embedded in
  • Provides mechanical support, nutrition, intercellular signalling
21
Q

What is a desmoplastic reaction?

A

Fibrous stroma formation due to induction of connective tissue fibroblast proliferation by growth factors from the tumour cells

22
Q

What does the stroma contain?

A
  • Cancer associated fibroblasts
  • Blood vessels
  • Myofibroblasts
  • Lymphatic infiltrate
23
Q

What are local complications of tumours?

A 
-Compression:
Displacement of adjacent tissues
-Destruction:
Invasion
Rapidly fatal if vital structures invaded (artery)
Mucosal surfaces (ulceration)
24
Q

What are metabolic complications of tumours/

A
  • Tumour type specific
  • Number of cells exceeds normal organ
  • Autonomous
  • Cachexia (weight loss)
  • Warburg effect (produces energy by high rate of glycolysis w/fermentation of lactic acid can be used in PET scanning)
  • Myopathies
  • Neuropathies
  • Venous thrombosis

Mechanism of Disease (18 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions