Disorders of Growth, including Neoplasia Flashcards
Definition of Neoplasm/Neoplasia?
New growth, that exceeds normal level and in uncoorrdinated, resulting in an abnormal mass of tissue. The growth will persist even after the stimuli has been removed.
What is the word ‘neoplasm’ synonymous with?
Tumour
What is the common term for malignant tumours?
Cancer
What is oncology the study of?
Tumours
What are the 6 different features of a tumour?
1) Macroscopically - Benign or Malignant?
2) Microscopically - What does it appear as to the naked eye?
3) Histology - What does the tissue resemble?
4) Histogenesis - What is its origin?
5) Aetiology - Env vs. Inherited
6) Function
What are the 2 basic components that make up the structure of tumours and describe?
1) Parenchyma - proliferative neoplastic cells
2) Stroma - (supportive layer) consists of connective tissue and BV’s
Discuss how benign and malignant tumours can be compared in 3 ways?
1) Grows by:
Benign - expands and displaces local tissue
Malignant - invades and destroys local tissue
2) Behaviour:
Benign - innocent
Malignant - aggressive
3) Spread:
Benign - does not tend to spread
Malignant - has the capacity to spread (metastasis)
What is the definition of metastasis?
The growth of a secondary tumour at a site distant from the primary tumour
How do metastasis travel and where do they go to?
They travel via the blood or in the lymphatic system. They will travel to: 1) Body cavities (i.e. peritoneal) 2) Epilthelium-line spaces 3) Within epithelium itself
What is the typical root for a stroma malignancy?
Will either directly invade he BV’s or the tumour emboli will filter through the capillary beds
What is the typical root for a epithelial malignancy?
Will either directly invade the lymphatic vessels or the tumour emboli will filter through the lymph nodes
Definition of a Polyp?
A mass attached to a surface and may or may not be neoplasmic/a tumour
Give 3 examples and define typical BENIGN epithelial tumours?
Adenoma = produce glandular patterns Cystadenoma = produce cystic masses Papilloma = produce finger-like projections
Give 1 example and define a typical MALIGNANT epithelial tumour?
Carcinoma = a malignant tumour of the epithelial tissue
Give 1 example and define a typical MALIGNANT stromal tumour?
Sarcoma = a malignant tumour of stromal tissue
Define Leukaeima:
Neoplastic proliferation of haematopoietic stem cells and is regarded as malignant
Define Lymphoma:
Neoplastic proliferation of lymphatic tissue and is regarded as malignant
What are the 2 types of lymphoma:
1) Hodkin’s Lymphoma: consists of many cell types
2) Non-Hodkin’s Lymphoma: less of a mixture of cells
Define a Teratoma tumour:
A mixed cell tumour. It can either be benign or malignant
What are premalignant conditions?
Increase the risk of developing a malignant tumour
What are the 4 NON-NEOPLASTIC pre-malignant conditions?
1) Chronic inflammation
2) Chronic ulcerative colitis
3) Cirrhosis of the liver
4) Xeroderma pigmentosum (carcinoma of the skin)
What are the 2 NEOPLASTIC pre-malignant conditions?
1) Familal polyposis coli (genetic condition)
2) Intra-epithelial neoplasia
Define tumour grading and which type of tumours is grading used to assess?
Tumour grading is an assessment on what the tumour looks like in terms of their degree of differentiation (i.e. Histologically - do they resemble the rest of the tissue). Tumour grading is used to assess MALIGNANT tumours only
What are the 4 disadvantages for tumour grading?
1) Subjective
2) Only a prediction
3) One area of the tumour can differ to the next area
4) Poor reproduciblity
Define tumour staging
Assesses how far the tumour has spread
What system is used to assess tumour staging
TNM system
Explain the stages involving in the TNM system
T - Type of tumour
N - Is there any lymph node involvement?
M - Is there any distant metastasis?
What advantages does Tumour staging have over Tumour grading?
Tumour staging allows for a better prediction of the outcome for the patient compared to Tumour Grading
What are the 3 casual effects that both of the tumours have in common?
1) Displacement or destruction of the surrounding structures
2) Excess normal function of the tissue
3) Paraneoplasmic phenomena
What are the 6 specific causal effects of the malignant tumours?
1) Tissue destruction
2) Heamorrhage
3) Secondary bacterial infection
4) Cachexia = severe weight loss and increased metabolic rate
5) Pain
6) Anaemia
Define the Paraneoplastic phenomena:
It is a syndrome that is tumour-associated, but the symptoms are not related to the spread of the tumour or to the hormones produced within the tumour tissue
