Language of Malignancy Flashcards
What is hyperplasia
Increase in cell number in response to stimulus that regresses if stimulus is withdrawn. Carries low risk of neoplastic transformation in some cases.
What is hypertrophy
Increase in cell size (occurs in cardiac muscle)
What is atrophy
Loss of size or number of cells - occurs with the withdrawal of a stimulus (mechanical or hormonal)
What is metaplasia
Reversible change from one mature cell type to another.
Such as in response to injury or different epithelial cells being more suited to certain functions
What is neoplasia
Growth without stimulus. Can have no malignant potential, premalignant or malignant, it is non specific.
What does benign mean
No malignant potential
What does premalignant mean
Dysplastic but still benign
What does malignat mean
Roughly, autonomous growth that has invaded beyond its normal location and has metastatic potential
What is dysplasia
Abnormal growth or development of a tissue that may lead to malignancy
What does stellate mean
Shaped like a star
What does spiculated mean
A lump of tissues with “spikes” on the surface
