Introduction: Cancer Pathogenesis Flashcards
Epigenetics
Changes in gene expression that occult WITHOUT altering the DNA sequence
Hyperplasia
-Rapid proliferation rate
-Number of cells increasing
Hypertrophy
-Increase in size (bigger size)
Metaplasia
-Conversion of mature normal cells to a different distinct mature cell
-Change
Dysplasia
Normal cell to immature abnormal cell
-Disordered
What is the transition from normal state to cancer?
1) Normal
2) Hyperplasia
3) Dysplasia
4) Cancer
What are the four main carcinogenesis phases during neoplastic development?
- Initiation (Carcinogen/UV)
- Promotion (Tumor promoter/UV)
- Progression
- Metastasis
What happens during the initation phase of neoplastic development?
Irreversible genetic mutation in stem cell/progenitor cell
What happens during the Promotion phase of neoplastic development?
- Clonal expansion of initiated cells within generalized hyperplasia
- Outgrowth of pre-malignant tumors = papillomas
What happens during the Progression phase of neoplastic development?
Malignant conversion to invasive carcinoma
T/F: Chemical carcinogens are linked to specific cancers
T
What is the mechanism of carcinogenic hormones or pharmaceutical agents?
-Irreversible DNA damage (mutagenic; initiation)
-Promoting agent leading to cell proliferation
What is the mechanism of biologic agent?
There are viral proteins that are going to interact with certain genes that are going to be your tumor suppressor genes and your oncogenes. The combined effect will lead to this uncontrolled self-growth
What are cancer’s seven warning signs?
- Change in bowel or bladder habits
- **A sore that does not heal
- Unusual bleeding or discharge**
- Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere
- Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
- Obvious change in want or mole
- Nagging cough or hoarseness
What are cancer’s warning signs in children?
- **Continued, unexplained weight loss
- Headaches with vomiting in the morning**
- Lump or mass in abdomen, neck, or elsewhere
- Development of a whitish appearance in the pupil of the eye
- Recurrent fevers not caused by infections
- Excessive bruising or bleeding
- **Noticeable paleness or prolonged tiredness
- SOB**
What is used to describe the cancer and its progression?
Grading and staging
Gleason’s Pattern
-
Grading describes how the cancer look compared to normal, healthy cells
-How fast cancer grows (proliferation)
Staging
Refers to size and spread of the cancer