Histopathology

Question 1

What is meant by neoplasia?

Answer 1

New growth which is abnormal. Its proliferation of cells leads to a tumour.

Question 2

What is meant by hyperplasia?

Answer 2

Increase in cell number, proportional to stimulus.

Question 3

What is meant by hypertrophy?

Answer 3

Increase in cell size, proportionate to stimulus.

Question 4

What is meant by choristoma?

Answer 4

Tumour composed of normal cells/tissues present in abnormal cell.

Question 5

What is meant by hamartoma?

Answer 5

Tumour composed of disorganised growth of different cell types normally present in organ. e.g. growth of fat/cartilage in lungs.

Question 6

What is meant by teratoma?

Answer 6

Tumour composed of derivatives of 3 embryological layers e.g. ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm.

Question 7

What is meant by dysplasia?

Answer 7

Growth of abnormal cells before they become cancerous.

Question 8

State 4 types of cancer.

Answer 8

Carcinoma. Lymphocytes. Leukemia. Lymphoma. Sarcoma. Adenoma. Papilloma. Mesothelioma.

Question 9

What is meant by a carcinoma?

Answer 9

Originate in skin, lungs, breasts, pancreas.

Question 10

What is meant by a lymphocytes?

Answer 10

Cancers of lymphocytes.

Question 11

What is meant by a leukemia?

Answer 11

Cancer of the blood.

Question 12

What is meant by sarcoma?

Answer 12

Arise in bone, fat, blood vessels, cartilage, connective tissue.

Question 13

What is meant by an adenoma?

Answer 13

Tumour of glandular tissue e.g. mucosa of stomach, small intestine, colon.

Question 14

What is meant by a papilloma?

Answer 14

Benign growth on epithelium of the skin - warts/verrucae.

Question 15

What is meant by an mesothelioma?

Answer 15

Tumour in layers of tissue that cover the lungs (pleura) - linked to asbestos exposure.

Question 16

State 3 differences between benign and malignant cells.

Answer 16

Benign are close to the origin where as, malignant are spread out. Benign have a uniform growth pattern, where as malignant has irregular/hazardous growth. Benign has normal nuclear size, where as malignant nuclear size is enlarged. Benign has no increase in tumour cells during mitosis, while malignant has an increased number of tumour cells. Benign have no necrosis/haemorrhage or fibrotic reaction, where as malignant do.

Question 17

State 3 ways of genetic damage in cancer.

Answer 17

Point mutation. Translocation. Deletion. Gene amplifications. Polysomy.

Question 18

State 2 classes of carcinogenic genes.

Answer 18

Proto-oncogenes. Tumour suppressor genes. Genes that regulate programmed cell death. Genes involved with DNA repair.

Question 19

State 3 routes by which tumours can metastasise.

Answer 19

Via lymphatics. Via bloodstream. Via extravascular migratory metastasis. Perineurally (near nerves). Trans-peritoneally (through peritoneum). Areogenous (transmission through air). By fluid e.g. urine.

Question 20

What is meant by cytology?

Answer 20

Study of cells.

Question 21

What is meant by an histology?

Answer 21

Study of tissues.

Question 22

State 2 ways cytology is carried out.

Answer 22

Naturally exfoliated - urine, sputum. Artificially exfoliated - washings, bruisings, scrapings. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) - guided by imaging technique.

Question 23

State 2 investigations of tissue.

Answer 23

Punch/forceps biopsy - mucosal/skin surface. Core biopsy - deeper lesions. Incision - skin/fibre-optic endoscopy imaging. Radial surgical resection - symptomatic relief.

Question 24

State 2 techniques used in histology.

Answer 24

Immunohistory - staining antigens on surface. Flow cytometry - sample suspended in a fluid and injected into a flow instrument. Molecular diagnostics - cytogenetics.

Question 25

What is meant by a tumour grade?

Answer 25

How closely it resembles the cell of origin.

Question 26

Do well-differentiated tumours have a low or high grade?

Answer 26

Low grade - good prognosis.

Question 27

Do poorly-differentiated tumours have a poor or high grade?

Answer 27

High grade - poor prognosis.