Exam 1: Oncology 1 Flashcards
Cancer is a large group of diseases characterized by:
- uncontrolled cell proliferation
- spread of abnormal cells
% of cancers that are genetic
5%
95% of cancers are caused by a mix of
Modifiable and non-modifiable factors
There are over 250 forms of cancer, with different characteristics depending on
Site of origin
Metastasis =
Invasion and spread of cells from the original site to other sites
How long after an initial bout of cancer can metastasis occur?
As late as 15-20 years after initial dx and intervention
Up to 70% of autopsies of pts who died from cancer show:
Spinal metastasis
Metastases cause ____% of cancer deaths
90
What 3 processes regulate cell numbers?
- Cell division
- Cell differentiation
- Apoptosis
Any cellular mutations can affect the processes of division, differentiation, and apoptosis, leading to abnormalities in
Cell numbers
Normal cell differentiation: What is it?
Process by which cells specialize in different structural or physiologic functions
With cancer (abnormal) differentiation, how does a malignant cell compare to the parent cell?
May or may not even be recognizable in its relationship to the parent cell
What is an anaplastic cell?
- A cell that is so different, it is deemed to be undifferentiated
- Shape shifter
Why are anaplastic cells problematic for chemo?
Chemotherapy can’t grab onto it to work
A less differentiated cell means this with respect to metastasis and prognosis
- faster metastasis
- worse prognosis
What are the classifications of abnormal cells?
- Metaplasia
- Dysplasia
- Hyperplasia
- Anaplasia
- Neoplasia
What is metaplasia?
Replacement of one differentiated cell type with another mature differentiated cell type
Is metaplasia malignant?
No
What can easily follow metaplasia?
Dysplasia
Why would cells undergo metaplasia?
May switch to making another cell type in response to some stress
Reversible
What is Dysplasia
Expansion of immature cells with a decrease in number and location of mature cells
What does dysplasia usually signal?
Pre-cancerous process
What is hyperplasia? Is it always cancerous?
- Increased number of cells, which may or may not signal a pre-cancerous or cancerous process
- Not always cancerous
- Could be as benign as a callous
What is an anaplastic cell?
Has poor/no differentiation
What is a neoplasia? Is it always malignant?
- “new growth”
- May be benign or malignant
What characteristics describe tumors?
- Benign
- Malignant
- Primary
- Secondary
What is a benign tumor?
Won’t metastasize to other locations
Why are benign tumors potentially problematic?
- They are space occupying
- Can grow and crowd out other structures
- Can be fatal
Primary tumor
Within tissue of origin
Secondary tumor
Occurs as a result of metastasis
