Class 2: Biology of Cancer: Focused Review Flashcards
0
Q
Benign Tumors
-naming
A
- Benign tumors are generally named according to the tissues from which they arise
- They include the suffix “-oma”
1
Q
Cancer
A
Cancer is a leading cause of suffering and death in the developed world
2
Q
Malignant Tumors
A
- One of the microscopic hallmarks of cancer cells is
- ANAPLASIA - loss of cellular differentiation
3
Q
Carcinoma in Situ
A
- Non malignant and can be found on:
- cervix, skin, oral cavity, esophagus, and bronchus - CIS lesions can (1) remain stable (2) progress to invasive and metastatic cancers (3) can regress.
4
Q
Tumor Markers
A
- Elevated tumor markers may suggest a specific diagnosis, but it is not used alone as a definitive diagnostic test
5
Q
Oncogenes
A
- Mutant Genes that in their normal non-mutant state direct synthesis of proteins that positively regulate (accelerate) proliferation
- Over-expression or amplification causes gain of function (abnormal)
6
Q
Loss of Heterozygosity
A
- Loss of one copy (allele) of a specific chromosome region in a tumor
7
Q
Inherited mutations
A
- Xeroderma Pigmentosum
- affected individuals have defects in the repair of UV light-induced damage
8
Q
Blood supply to cancer
A
- If cancers are larger than 1 millimeter in diameter, they need their own blood supply to deliver oxygen and nutrients
9
Q
Angiogenesis - Neovascularization
A
- The ability to grow new blood vessels by secreting multiple factors that stimulate new blood vessel growth
10
Q
Telomeres
A
- Protective ends or caps on each chromosome and are placed and maintained by specialized enzyme called telomerase.
11
Q
Telomerase
A
- Only active in germ cells
- All other cells of the body lack telomerase
- Cancer cells somehow activate telomerase to restore and maintain their telomeres allowing IMMORTALITY
12
Q
Oncogene addiction
A
- Cancers are addicted to their mutant cancer genes
13
Q
Adult Stem Cells
A
- Can self-renew
2. Have the ability to differentiate
14
Q
Chronic Inflammation
A
- Predisposes to cancer
2. inflammatory cells release compounds such as Reactive Oxygen species ROS which promote mutations