Disorders of growth and cancer

Question 1

Describe atrophy and give an example

Answer 1

A reduction in cell size and number, can be due to lack of stimulation.
= cerebral atrophy in Alzheimers

Question 2

Describe hyperplasia and give an example

Answer 2

increase in cell number due to chronic inflammation/hormonal imbalance

• BPH: increased oestrogen’s
• Can occlude urethra and cause nephropathy

Question 3

Describe hypertrophy and give an example

Answer 3

Increase in cell size

- Left ventricular hypertrophy due to aortic stenosis

Question 4

Describe metaplasia and give an example

Answer 4

Reversible change in tissue type, adaptive response

- Barrets oesophagus: Squamous to columnar epithelia in response to gastric reflux

Question 5

Describe dysplasia and give example

Answer 5

Disordered growth of cells but no invasion or surrounding structures
- cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Question 6

What constitutes low-grade/high-grade tumours?

Answer 6

low grade - well differentiated - recognisable tissue type

high grade - poorly/undifferentiated - unrecognisable tissue type

Question 7

By which factors are tumours classified?

Answer 7

• Level of invasion
• origin cell type
• Level of differentiation

Question 8

What is the difference between carcinomas and sarcomas?

Answer 8

Carcinoma - Epithelial origin

Sarcoma - Connective tissue origin

Question 9

What is the main mode of metastasis by a carcinoma?

Answer 9

Lymphatic spread initially then blood

Question 10

What is the main mode of spread by a sarcoma?

Answer 10

Blood

Question 11

Where is a common site of metastasis for colonic cancer?

Answer 11

The liver - via hepatic portal vein

Question 12

What cancer often exhibits transcoelomic (serosal) spread

Answer 12

Gastric and ovarian