Module 2.2 (Solid Tumours and Blood Cancers)

Question 1

What tests were used to confirm a case of colorectal cancer?

Answer 1

Upper endoscopy (see esophagus, stomach and small intestine)
Lower endoscopy (see colon and rectum
Colonoscopy found mass on colon
Biopsy confirmed cancer

Question 2

Explain how one develops colorectal cancer

Answer 2

HYPER-PROLIFERATION: cell with 1+ oncogenic mutation divides uncontrollably
ADENOMATOUS POLYP: mass starts growing into central space
PRECANCEROUS POLYP: can be removed before they become malignant
ADENOCARCINOMA: when polyp becomes invasive, invading adjacent tissue layers
ADVANCED CANCER: polyps grow and invade, sometimes through entering bloodstream and travelling

Question 3

Why might someone not be screened for cancer?

Answer 3

Fear of test
No family history
Misconception
Concern of cost

Question 4

How is metastasis imaged?

Answer 4

CT scan will look at entire body to rule out spread

Question 5

Explain how solid tumours are characterized based on stage

Answer 5

T: depth of tumour infection (size of main tumour)
- T0 = no tumour
- T4 = large tumour invading adjacent tissue
N: spread to lymph nodes (# of nearby lymph nodes with cancer cells)
- N0 = none
- N4 = cancer in multiple lymph nodes
M: metastasis of cancer to other body parts (whether it occured)
- M0 = no
- M1 = yes

Question 6

Explain how solid tumours are characterized based on grade

Answer 6

How abnormal cells are in biopsy
Higher grade = more abnormal & poorer prognosis
Normal -> G1 -> G2 -> G3 -> G4

Question 7

What aspects go into developing a cancer diagnosis?

Answer 7

Age and general health (weight)
Response to treatment
Stage and grade
Genetics
Access and compliance to treatment and screening

Question 8

Describe blood cancers

Answer 8

Not caught by tissue screening
Begin in bone marrow - blood stem cells fail to mature
Cause; fatigue due to less red blood cells, immune issues due to lack of white blood cells

Question 9

What is hematopoiesis?

Answer 9

Development of mature blood cells from hematopoietic stem cells

Question 10

Give examples of specialized myeloid cells

Answer 10

Red blood cells, platelets, some white blood cells

Question 11

Give examples of specialized lymphoid cells

Answer 11

T cells, B cells, natural killer cells

Question 12

Explain the blood cancer pathway

Answer 12

Differentiation block ( tumour supressor gene)
Enhanced proliferation (proto-oncogenes)

Question 13

Compare acute and chronic blood cancers

Answer 13

ACUTE
- poorly differentiated cells
- progress rapidly
- intermediate treatment required
CHRONIC
- well-differentiated cells
- progress slowly
- may be monitored before treatment started

Question 14

What are the prognostic factors for leukemia?

Answer 14

Age (older)
Weight
Previous blood disorders
Genetics

Question 15

Give examples of types of cancer biomarkers

Answer 15

Small chemical products
Enzymes
DNA
RNA
Cancer cells
Protein

Question 16

What are the different classifications of biomarkers?

Answer 16

DIAGNOSTIC: finding it detects/confirms presence of disease
PROGNOSTIC: indicates likelihood of disease progression/reoccurence
PREDICTIVE: finding it can predict response to particular treatment

Question 17

Advances in gene sequencing and cancer treatment

Answer 17

Human Genome Project
Next-Gen Sequencing
Tumour Sequencing
Data Analysis