Class 2: Biology of Cancer: Focused Review Flashcards

0
Q

Benign Tumors

-naming

A
  1. Benign tumors are generally named according to the tissues from which they arise
  2. They include the suffix “-oma”
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1
Q

Cancer

A

Cancer is a leading cause of suffering and death in the developed world

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2
Q

Malignant Tumors

A
  1. One of the microscopic hallmarks of cancer cells is

- ANAPLASIA - loss of cellular differentiation

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3
Q

Carcinoma in Situ

A
  1. Non malignant and can be found on:
    - cervix, skin, oral cavity, esophagus, and bronchus
  2. CIS lesions can (1) remain stable (2) progress to invasive and metastatic cancers (3) can regress.
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4
Q

Tumor Markers

A
  1. Elevated tumor markers may suggest a specific diagnosis, but it is not used alone as a definitive diagnostic test
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5
Q

Oncogenes

A
  1. Mutant Genes that in their normal non-mutant state direct synthesis of proteins that positively regulate (accelerate) proliferation
  2. Over-expression or amplification causes gain of function (abnormal)
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6
Q

Loss of Heterozygosity

A
  1. Loss of one copy (allele) of a specific chromosome region in a tumor
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7
Q

Inherited mutations

A
  1. Xeroderma Pigmentosum

- affected individuals have defects in the repair of UV light-induced damage

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8
Q

Blood supply to cancer

A
  1. If cancers are larger than 1 millimeter in diameter, they need their own blood supply to deliver oxygen and nutrients
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9
Q

Angiogenesis - Neovascularization

A
  1. The ability to grow new blood vessels by secreting multiple factors that stimulate new blood vessel growth
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10
Q

Telomeres

A
  1. Protective ends or caps on each chromosome and are placed and maintained by specialized enzyme called telomerase.
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11
Q

Telomerase

A
  1. Only active in germ cells
  2. All other cells of the body lack telomerase
  3. Cancer cells somehow activate telomerase to restore and maintain their telomeres allowing IMMORTALITY
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12
Q

Oncogene addiction

A
  1. Cancers are addicted to their mutant cancer genes
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13
Q

Adult Stem Cells

A
  1. Can self-renew

2. Have the ability to differentiate

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14
Q

Chronic Inflammation

A
  1. Predisposes to cancer

2. inflammatory cells release compounds such as Reactive Oxygen species ROS which promote mutations

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15
Q

H. pylori

A
  1. Chronic infection w/ H. pylori is an important cause of peptic ulcer disease and is strongly associated w/ gastric carcinoma
16
Q

Pain and cancer

A
  1. Pain is one of the most feared complications of advanced cancer.
  2. Pain can be caused by:
    - direct pressure, obstruction, invasion, stretching, tissue destruction, infection, and inflammation
17
Q

Priority of cancer Treatment

A
  1. First priority of treatment is control pain rapidly and completely as judged by individual
  2. Second priority is to prevent recurrence of pain
18
Q

Fatigue and Cancer

A
  1. Fatigue is the most frequently reported symptom of cancer and cancer treatment
19
Q

Cachexia

A
  1. Most severe form of malnutrition associated w/ cancer and results in wasting
20
Q

Infection and Cancer

A
  1. Infection is the most significant cause of complications and death in persons with malignant disease.
  2. When the absolute granulocyte count falls below 500 cells per microliter, the risk of serious microbial infection increases
21
Q

Characteristics of Cancer

-Contact Inhibition

A
  1. Continue to crowd up on each other
22
Q

Characteristics of Cancer

-Anchorage Independent

A
  1. Continue to divide even when suspended in a soft agar gel
23
Q

Characteristics of Cancer

-Immortal

A
  1. Unlimited life span will continue to divide for years under appropriate lab condition
24
Q

Characteristics of CA

A
  1. Self sufficiency in growth signals
  2. Insensitivity to antigrowth signals
  3. Evading apoptosis
  4. Limitless replicative potential
  5. Sustained angiogenesis
  6. Tissue invasion and metastasis
25
Q

Chemotherapy

A
  1. These drugs affect any cell that is dividing at the time.
    - Bone Marrow
    - Hair Follicles
    - Mucosal Cells
26
Q

Chemotherapy

-agents

A
  1. Alkalating Agents
  2. Anti-metabolites
  3. Anthracyclines
  4. Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors
  5. Hormones
27
Q

Malignancy

A
  1. A mass can be benign and still be malignant depending on where it is.

If a benign tumor is pressing the optic nerve it would be considered malignant

28
Q

Tumor Suppressor Gene

A
  1. Encode proteins that inhibit proliferation and prevent or repair mutations (normal)
29
Q

Inflammation & Oncogenes

A
  1. Inflammation turns ON the switch of oncogenes

2. Overtime this can result in the wrong cells getting the “growth factors” needed to grow and multiply