LM 7.3: Terminology of Neoplasia

Question 1

what is neoplasia?

Answer 1

“new growth”

the new growth is called a neoplasm

Question 2

what is the modern definition of neoplasm?

Answer 2

disorder of cell growth that is triggered by a series of acquired mutations affecting a single cell and its progeny

the causative mutations give the cells a survival and growth advantage, resulting in excessive proliferation that is independent of physiologic growth signals

Question 3

what is a benign neoplasm?

Answer 3

a neoplasm is benign when its gross and microscopic features are considered innocent and imply that it will remain localized, not spread to other sites and be amenable to local surgical removal

Question 4

what is a malignant neoplasm?

Answer 4

a neoplasm in which the gross and microscopic features imply that it will invade, destroy adjacent structures and spread to distant sites

malignant neoplasm = cancer

Question 5

what are the two components of all neoplasms?

Answer 5

1. parenchyma

2. stroma

Question 6

what is parenchyma?

Answer 6

neoplastic cells

determines classification and behavior

Question 7

what is the stroma?

Answer 7

non-neoplastic supportive cells

connective tissues, blood vessels and immune cells

affects growth and spread

Question 8

what is desmoplasia?

Answer 8

tumor-induced proliferation of non-neoplastic fibrous connective tissue

it’s commonly seen in cancers of the breast, prostate and pancreases

Question 9

how do you name benign neoplasms?

Answer 9

cell of origin + “oma”

lipoma = benign tumor derived from adipose tissue

adenoma = benign tumor forming glands

Question 10

what would you call a benign tumor derived from fibrous tissue?

Answer 10

fibroma

Question 11

what would you call a benign tumor derived from cartilage?

Answer 11

chondroma

Question 12

what is a papilloma?

Answer 12

benign epithelial neoplasm with finger-like warty projections

warts! like in HPV = human papilloma virus

Question 13

what is cystadenoma?

Answer 13

benign epithelial neoplasm forming cystic masses

Question 14

what is a polyp?

Answer 14

neoplasm which produces a macroscopically visible projection above a mucosal surface and projects into a lumen

Question 15

how do you name malignant neoplasms?

Answer 15

1. malignant tumor of epithelial cell origin

ex. adenocarcinoma
ex. squamous cell carcinoma
ex. urothelial carcinoma

2. sarcoma = malignant tumor arising in mesenchymal tissue (connective tissue)

ex. fibrosarcoma
ex. liposarcoma
ex. leiomyosarcoma
ex. rhabdomyosarcoma
ex. angiosarcoma

Question 16

what would you call a malignant tumor arising from and forming glands?

Answer 16

adenocarcinoma

Question 17

what would you call a malignant tumor arising from skeletal muscle?

Answer 17

rhabdomyosarcoma

Question 18

what are mixed tumors?

Answer 18

neoplasms with 2 different morphologic patterns but derive from the same germ layer (ectoderm, endoderm, mesoderm)

ex. pleomorphic adenoma or the parotid gland

Question 19

what are teratomas?

Answer 19

neoplasms which derive from more than 1 germ layer (ectoderm, endoderm, mesoderm)

they arise from totipotential germ cells in the ovaries and testes and sometimes midline abnormal embryonic rests

ex. a tumor that has hair and teeth in it

Question 20

what are the types of teratomas ?

Answer 20

benign (mature)

malignant

cystic

Question 21

what is a seminoma?

Answer 21

malignant germ cell tumor

Question 22

what is a melanoma?

Answer 22

malignant tumor of melanocytes

Question 23

what is a hepatoma?

Answer 23

malignant tumor of hepatocytes

Question 24

whats a lymphoma?

Answer 24

malignant tumor of lymphoid cells

Question 25

what are the exceptions to the malignant tumor naming system?

Answer 25

seminoma
melanoma
hepatoma
lymphoma

Question 26

what is a tumor-like lesion? what are the types?

Answer 26

NOT neoplasms but may be confused with a neoplasm clinically

1. hamartoma
2. choristoma

Question 27

what is a hamartoma?

Answer 27

mass of disorganized but mature specialized cells indigenous to the particular site

tumor-like lesion

ex. bronchial hamartoma

Question 28

what is a choristoma?

Answer 28

mass of non-neoplastic normal tissue in a foreign location

tumor-like lesion

ex. ectopic pancreatic tissue in stomach wall