HUBS LT 11 Flashcards
Cancer
A group of diseases shown by genetically altered cells. genetically altered cells led to abnormal growth of these cells, and the formation of tumours.
benign tumours
benign tumours contain cells that appear normal. The cell growth usually grows slowly and stays in one place as the tumour is surrounded in a capsule. These tumours don’t spread to other parts of the body.
malignant tumours
cancerious tumours, that are characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and the potential to spread to other parts of the body.
difference between begign and malignat tumors
benign tumors:
- non-cancerous
-grows slowly
-doesn’t typically spread to other parts of the body.
Malignant tumors:
-cancerous
-grows rapid or unregulated
-can invade surrounding tissues and metastasises
what are three different classes of genes that relate to cancer?
- proto-oncogenesis
-tumor supressor gene
-DNA repair genes
Proto-oncogenes
genes coding for proteins that regulate normal cell growth.
how does proto-oncogenes relate to cancer?
When a proto-oncogene mutates, it can become an ocogene (gene that causes cancer). These mutated genes can make cells grow too fast, and this uncontrolled cell growth can lead to tumors and cancer.
tumor suppressor gene
genes that protect cells from uncontrolled growth by regulating cell division and promoting apoptosis (programmed cell death)
how doe tumor suppressor genes relate to cancer?
if a tumor suppressor gene is damaged or mutated. This can lead to uncontrolled cell growth, which may become cancer.
DNA repair genes
Genes coding for proteins involved in repairing damaged DNA
How does DNA repair genes relate to cancer?
If these DNA repair genes are mutated, more mutations build up in important genes. This can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and eventually cancer
Process of metastasis
Once a cell turns cancerous, it replicates creating cancer cells that form a tumour. The tumour creates its own blood supply, which results in the new blood supply to help cancer cells spread. These cancer cells now may be able to travel through the blood to form new tumors in other parts of the body
what are some factors that increase the risk of cancer
-inherited genes
-immune system
-inflammation
-infections
-chemical exposure
-radiation
-dietary factors
how does inherited genes increase the risk of cancer?
inherited genes increases a persons risk of developing cancer
how does the immune system increase the risk of cancer?
weakened immune system may result in continued cancer cell formation that overwhelms the system
how does inflammation increase the risk of cancer?
inflammatory chemicals influence the tumour micro-environment (immediate surrounding of a cell) and can be either anti-tumorigenic (stopping the growth of tumors) or promote tumour growth.
how does infection increase the risk of cancer?
infectious agents like bacteria or viruses can alter affected cell DNA, leading to cancerous development
How does chemical exposure increase the risk of cancer?
exposure to chemicals that are carcinogenic (cancer promoting chemicals) can lead to cellular change. Body cell absorb these cells and convert them into substances that damage the cell DNA, thus promoting cancer development. E.g alcohol and tobacco
how does radiation (UV light) increase the risk of cancer?
causes Genetic mutation.
signs & symptoms of cancer
-fatigue
-pain
-cachexia (weight loss)
-generaized systemic signs associated with affected body systems
What are three forms of cancer treatment?
-surgery
-radiation
-chemotherapy
how is surgery a form of cancer treatment?
Surgery is used to remove some, or all of the cancerous tissue.
how is radiation a form of cancer treatment?
radiation causes cancer cells to divide very quickly, which makes them more easily damaged. radiation breaks their DNA and harms their surroundings. This treatment targets a specific area and helps shrink the tumor by killing the cancer cells.
how is chemotherapy a form of cancer treatment?
uses non-selective cytotoxic drugs (kills or slows the growth of cells) that attack important parts of cells needed for growth and division.
metastasis is:
the spread of cancer cells to other areas of the body
difference between tumour grading and cancer staging
tumor grading compares the tumour cells to the host tissue cells and gets a grade based on the level of resemblance. Cancer staging is about the size of the tumour and level of spread.
What do the letters TNM stand for in this cancer staging system?
T: size & extent of the tumour
N: number of lymph nodes with cancer
M: whether or not metastasis has occurred
which of the following cancer treatment options uses vectors (viruses) to introduce materials into cells?
Gene therapy
chemotherapy:
uses cytotoxic drugs to disrupt or prevent cell growth & division of rapidly/actively dividing cells
