Introduction

Question 1

Outline the basic mechanism of cancer invasion

Answer 1

Physical invasion 
Reduced adhesiveness and cohesiveness of tumour cells. 
Increased motility of tumour cells. 
Loss of CI
Release of destructive enzymes.

Question 2

How do benign and malignant neoplasms differ?

Answer 2

Malignant have; 
pleomorphism of cells & nuclei
Increased mitotic rate
Mitotic abnormalities
Not encapsulated
Invade surrounding tissue.
Loss of differentiated features.
Increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio. 
Hyperchromaticism.

Question 3

What is a carcinoma in situ?

Answer 3

Early tumour of epithelial cell origin with cytological features of malignancy but has not yet invaded adjacent tissues (no breach of BM).

Question 4

What is an adenocarcinoma?

Answer 4

Malignant tumour of glandular epithelium.

Question 5

How do carcinoma and sarcoma’s differ?

Answer 5

Both are malignant.
Former derives from epithelial cells.
Latter derives from connective tissue cells (mesenchymal).

Question 6

What is anaplasia?

Answer 6

To form backwards.
Cells have poor differentiation, lose morphological characteristics of mature cells & orientation with respect to each other and to endothelial cells.

Question 7

What are the components of neoplasms?

Answer 7

(abnormal tissue mass with growth exceeding that of normal tissues & persisting after original stimuli stops.)
Proliferating cells - constitute parenchyma
Stroma of CT, blood vessels, lymphatics.