Class 2: Biology of Cancer: Focused Review

Question 0

Benign Tumors

-naming

Answer 0

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

Question 1

Cancer

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Malignant Tumors

Answer 2

1. One of the microscopic hallmarks of cancer cells is

- ANAPLASIA - loss of cellular differentiation

Question 3

Carcinoma in Situ

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Tumor Markers

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Oncogenes

Answer 5

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)

Question 6

Loss of Heterozygosity

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Inherited mutations

Answer 7

1. Xeroderma Pigmentosum

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

Question 8

Blood supply to cancer

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Angiogenesis - Neovascularization

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Telomeres

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Telomerase

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Oncogene addiction

Answer 12

1. Cancers are addicted to their mutant cancer genes

Question 13

Adult Stem Cells

Answer 13

1. Can self-renew

2. Have the ability to differentiate

Question 14

Chronic Inflammation

Answer 14

1. Predisposes to cancer

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

Question 15

H. pylori

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Pain and cancer

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Priority of cancer Treatment

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Fatigue and Cancer

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Cachexia

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Infection and Cancer

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Characteristics of Cancer

-Contact Inhibition

Answer 21

1. Continue to crowd up on each other

Question 22

Characteristics of Cancer

-Anchorage Independent

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Characteristics of Cancer

-Immortal

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Characteristics of CA

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Chemotherapy

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Chemotherapy | -agents

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Malignancy

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Tumor Suppressor Gene

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Inflammation & Oncogenes

Answer 29

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