Module 3: Neoplasm

Question 1

Neoplasm

Answer 1

New growth = tumour

Question 2

Cell differentiation

Answer 2

Cells acquiring characteristics of the tissue they make up

Question 3

Benign rumour

Answer 3

Growth of cells that have lost their ability to control proliferation but usually slow, fairly well-differentiated and organized, do not invade beyond capsule, and do not metastasize

Question 4

Malignant tumour

Answer 4

Growth of cells that have lost control of proliferation and loss of differentiation and tissue organization. Pleomorphic and anaplastic. Lack capsule and invade local blood vessels and lymphatics. Metastasize far beyond origin

Question 5

Carcinoma

Answer 5

Cancer of epithelial tissue

Question 6

Sarcoma

Answer 6

Cancer of mesenchymal tissue (connective tissue, bone, muscle)

Question 7

Anaplasia

Answer 7

Loss of differentiation

Question 8

Metastasis

Answer 8

Spreading of cancer cells far beyond its tissue of origin

Question 9

Carcinoma in situ

Answer 9

Refers to growth with malignant characteristics (increased proliferation and pleomorphic) in epithelial tissue but has not yet invaded local tissue (technically not yet malignant), must wait and see what happens (may never spread, may be benign, may regress)

Question 10

Telomerase

Answer 10

Enzymes that cancer cells have that allows them to be “immortal”, telomerase can lengthen telomeres so they can keep dividing without limit

Question 11

Porto-oncogene

Answer 11

Genes that in their non-mutant state that help regulate cell growth and differentiation. (Could become mutated and active–called oncogene, causes faster growth of cells)

Question 12

Tumour suppressor genes

Answer 12

Genes that help regulate cell division of damaged cells (will slow down rate of division or stop it) to reduce mutations

Question 13

Pap test

Answer 13

Gathering and examining cervical/peritoneal/pleural secretions to see if there are any abnormal cells indicative of a tumour/cancer

Question 14

Grading

Answer 14

Classification of a tumour based on its cellular characteristics

Question 15

Staging

Answer 15

Classifying a tumour based on its size and whether it has spread

Question 16

Paraneoplastic syndrome

Answer 16

Signs and symptoms caused by a cancer but because of the effects of the tumour itself

Question 17

Cachexia

Answer 17

Losing body weight due to disruptions during metabolic reactions (weight can’t be regained nutritionally)

Question 18

Induction chemotherapy

Answer 18

Cocktail of drugs that target metabolic pathways (quickly dividing cells) in hopes of targeting cancer cells, given alone

Question 19

Adjuvant chemotherapy

Answer 19

Mixture of drugs that target quickly dividing cells (in hopes it will target cancer cells) given AFTER surgery to kill off remaining cancer cells

Question 20

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Answer 20

Drugs that target cells that divide rapidly in hopes of targeting cancer cells, given BEFORE surgery to lessen removal or normal tissue