Disorders of growth and cancer Flashcards
Describe atrophy and give an example
A reduction in cell size and number, can be due to lack of stimulation.
= cerebral atrophy in Alzheimers
Describe hyperplasia and give an example
increase in cell number due to chronic inflammation/hormonal imbalance
- BPH: increased oestrogen’s
- Can occlude urethra and cause nephropathy
Describe hypertrophy and give an example
Increase in cell size
- Left ventricular hypertrophy due to aortic stenosis
Describe metaplasia and give an example
Reversible change in tissue type, adaptive response
- Barrets oesophagus: Squamous to columnar epithelia in response to gastric reflux
Describe dysplasia and give example
Disordered growth of cells but no invasion or surrounding structures
- cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
What constitutes low-grade/high-grade tumours?
low grade - well differentiated - recognisable tissue type
high grade - poorly/undifferentiated - unrecognisable tissue type
By which factors are tumours classified?
- Level of invasion
- origin cell type
- Level of differentiation
What is the difference between carcinomas and sarcomas?
Carcinoma - Epithelial origin
Sarcoma - Connective tissue origin
What is the main mode of metastasis by a carcinoma?
Lymphatic spread initially then blood
What is the main mode of spread by a sarcoma?
Blood
Where is a common site of metastasis for colonic cancer?
The liver - via hepatic portal vein
What cancer often exhibits transcoelomic (serosal) spread
Gastric and ovarian