MoD 8 (Neoplasia 1)

Question 1

Define neoplasia:

Answer 1

Abnormal growth of cells which persists after the initial stimulus is removed

Question 2

Define tumour:

Answer 2

Any clinically detectable lump or swelling

Question 3

Define metastasis:

Answer 3

A malignant neoplasm that has spread from its original site to a new non-contiguous site

Question 4

Define anaplasia:

Answer 4

The loss of differentiation of cells and their orientation to each other, characteristic of malignant tumours

Question 5

Define pleomorphism:

Answer 5

The assumption of various distinct forms by a single organism or within a species.

Question 6

Define progression:

Answer 6

A carcinogenic process where cells are genetically altered by initiators, and undergo a second cell expansion which allows uncontrollable growth

Question 7

Define Scirrhous:

Answer 7

The dense stroma seen in cancers that produce abundant connective tissue

Question 8

What is a Leiomyoma?

Answer 8

Benign tumour derived from smooth muscle

ie. Uterine Leiomyoma

Question 9

What is an Osteoma?

Answer 9

Benign tumour of bone

Question 10

What is the name given to a benign tumour of cartilage?

Answer 10

Chondroma

Question 11

What is the name given to a benign tumour of adipose cells?

Answer 11

Lipoma

Question 12

Define Glioma:

Answer 12

Benign tumour composed of neuroglia

Ie Astocytoma, Oligodendrocytoma, Eppendymoma

Question 13

What is the name given to a benign tumour of striated muscle cells?

Answer 13

Rhabdomyoma

Question 14

Define polyp:

Answer 14

Any growth/mass protruding from a mucous membrane, usually benign, often considered ‘pre-cancerous’ and may become malignant

Question 15

What is a haemangioma?

Answer 15

Birthmark

Congenital vascular benign tumour

Question 16

What is a naevus?

Answer 16

Mole

Benign localised overgrowth of melanocytes

Question 17

Define hamartoma:

Answer 17

Benign tumour-like nodule, resulting from faulty development of an organ

Question 18

What is the name given to a malignant tumour derived from epithelia?

Answer 18

Carcinoma

Question 19

What is the name given to a malignant tumour derived from connective tissue?

Answer 19

Sarcoma

Question 20

Where are the 4 most common sites of metastasis?

Answer 20

1) Bone
2) Brain
3) Liver
4) Lung

Question 21

Name the most common form of skin cancer (~80%), and the main causative factor it is associated with:

Answer 21

Basal cell carcinoma

Chronic UV exposure and radiation

Question 22

Define Choriocarcinoma, and the tumour marker it usually releases:

Answer 22

Germ cell cancer containing trophoblast cells

Beta-hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)

Question 23

What tumour marker does colorectal carcinoma often release?

Answer 23

CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen)

Question 24

Name the most common primary bone cancer type in adults, and the most common bones it affects:

Answer 24

Chondrosarcoma

Pelvis, rib cage, proximal humerus/fibia/tibia

Question 25

Define mesothelioma, and the main causative factor it is associated with:

Answer 25

Malignant neoplasm of mesothelium cells (from serous membranes)
Asbestos exposure

Question 26

What is the ABCDE approach for diagnosis of malignant melanoma?

Answer 26

A- asymmetry
B- border
C- colour
D- diameter
E- evolving

Question 27

Which germ layer are melanocytes derived from?

Answer 27

Ectoderm

Question 28

List some risk factors of malignant melanoma:

Answer 28

• Lots of moles
• Fair skin
• High UV exposure/radiation
• Previous cancer

Question 29

Where does malignant melanoma usually metastasise to?

Answer 29

• Bone
• Brain
• Liver
• Lung
• Skin/muscle

Question 30

Define multiple myeloma, and give the tumour marker that it often releases:

Answer 30

Malignant neoplasm derived from plasma cells

B2M (Beta-2 Microglobulin)

Question 31

What tumour markers do germ cell cancers often release?

Answer 31

1) AFP (alpha-fetoprotein)

2) Beta-hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)

Question 32

Differentiate between a benign and malignant tumour, using macroscopic features:

Answer 32

Benign - grow in confined local area, with pushing outer margin
Malignant - irregular outer margin and shape, may show areas of ulceration/necrosis

Question 33

Differentiate between a benign and malignant tumour, using microscopic features:

Answer 33

Benign - Cells are well differentiated, and resemble parent tissue
Malignant - Cells range from poorly to well differentiated, may show hyperchromasia, mitoses, increased nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio, cellular variation

Question 34

Describe the clonality of neoplasms:

Answer 34

MONOCLONAL

All cells of a neoplasm originated from a single founding cell

Question 35

Name the 2 types of genes involved in neoplasia:

Answer 35

1) Proto-oncogenes

2) Tumour suppressor genes

Question 36

Define proto-oncogene, and state the number of mutations in a cell required to favour neoplastic growth:

Answer 36

Normal gene coding for proteins which help regulate cell growth and differentiation. Can become an oncogene if mutated or increasingly expressed.
Mutation in 1 allele is required to favour neoplastic growth, as it is an activating mutation.

Question 37

Define tumour suppressor gene, and state the number of mutations in a cell required to favour neoplastic growth:

Answer 37

Normal gene which helps control cell growth.

Mutation in both alleles required to favour neoplastic growth, as it is an inactivating mutation.

Question 38

What hormone do Carcinoid tumours often release?

Answer 38

Serotonin (5HT)

Question 39

What hormones do Pheochromocytoma tumours release?

Answer 39

Catecholamines:

• Adrenaline
• Noradrenaline

Also releases Vanillylmandelic acis (end-metabollite of catecholamines)

Question 40

What are the signs/symptoms associated with Pheochromocytoma? Explain why they occur:

Answer 40

• Tachycardia
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Increased BP
  Catecholamine-secreting tumour causes sympathetic NS overactivity.