Molecular Identification of Somatic Mutations in Cancers 2 Flashcards
MSI-H Tumors
Microsatellite instability-high. It is a feature of cancer’s genetic coding, which results in it behaving and “looking” a certain way on a microscopic level.
PD-1
Programmed death-1 is a cell surface receptor that functions as a T cell checkpoint and plays a central role in regulating T cell exhaustion.
Pharmacodynamic Markers
PD. Provides information about the pharmacologic effects of a drug on its target. In the targeted therapy era, PD endpoints often assess whether a given agent is engaging its molecular target in the expected manner.
Adenomatous Polyps
Typically benign growths that develop inside the tissues of different organs, such as the colon. While many of these growths are harmless, they can be precancerous. This means they could develop into cancer.
Adenoma
Benign tumors starting in the epithelial tissue of a gland or gland-like structure.
Neutrophil-lymphocyte Ratio
(NLR) is a marker of systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. In recent years, it has been reported that the individual components of the differential white cell count, specifically the neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, may have clinical utility in predicting diseases.
Neutrophil
A type of white blood cell (WBC or granulocyte) that protect us from infections, among other functions. They make up approximately 40% to 60% of the white blood cells in our bodies,1 and are the first cells to arrive on the scene when we experience a bacterial infection.
Lymphocyte-monocyte Ratio
(LMR) has been used as a parameter reflecting systemic inflammation in several tumors and is reportedly associated with prognosis in cancer patients.
Platlet-lymphocyte Ratio
(PLR) is a hematological index which reflects increased level of inflammation and thrombosis.
Thrombosis
When blood clots block your blood vessels.
Melanocytic Neoplasm
A benign or malignant, primary or metastatic neoplasm affecting the melanocytes.
Melanocytes
A mature melanin-forming cell, especially in the skin.
Spitz Tumors
A group of melanocytic neoplasms with distinct morphological features that tend to affect young individuals.
Pigmented Epitheloid Melanocytomas
(PEM). An unusual variant of malignant melanoma with relatively indolent behavior.
Indolent
Causing little or no pain.
Arcal Melanoma
A rare type of skin melanoma that forms on the palms, soles of feet, or under finger or toenails.
Pyogenic Granuloma
A rapidly growing lesion that bleeds easily. Common in children and young adults, although they can develop in people of all ages. They are also fairly common in pregnant women. These legions are benign.
Fascicles
A bundle of structures, such as nerve or muscle fibers.
Fusiform
Spindle shaped.
Nuclear Atypia
Abnormal appearance of cell nuclei. It is a term used in cytopathology and histopathology. Atypical nuclei are often pleomorphic. Nuclear atypia can be seen in reactive changes, pre-neoplastic changes and malignancy. Severe nuclear atypia is, in most cases, considered an indicator of malignancy.
Cytopathology
A branch of pathology that studies and diagnoses diseases on the cellular level. Generally used on samples of free cells or tissue fragments, in contrast to histopathology, which studies whole tissues.
Histopathology
Refers to the microscopic examination of tissue in order to study the manifestations of disease. Specifically, in clinical medicine, histopathology refers to the examination of a biopsy or surgical specimen by a pathologist, after the specimen has been processed and histological sections have been placed onto glass slides. In contrast, cytopathology examines free cells or tissue micro-fragments.
No Kamino Bodies
A common histological finding in Reed nevus and may well represent a good marker to differentiate these from malignant melanomas.
Reed Nevus
A very dark pigmented melanocytic nevus with spindle-shaped dermal melanocytes on histology.
Nevus
A birthmark or a mole on the skin, especially a birthmark in the form of a raised red patch.
Sclerotic Stroma
A hardening of fibrous breast tissues (collagen) but without any cancerous growth. The breast itself would typically feel ‘ harder ‘ by physical touch and frequently accompanies the development of a fibroadenoma.
Fibroadenoma
A noncancerous breast lumps usually occurring in young women between 15 to 35 years of age. The lump will be firm, feels smooth and moves under the skin.
Filigree-like Rete Ridges
Elongated, thin and branched, dermal melanocytes arranged in a rosette-like configuration.
Epidermal Hyperplasia
An alteration in epidermal growth or differentiation characterized by an increase in the number of cells within the epidermis.
Exophytic
Proliferating externally or on the surface epithelium of an organ or other structure in which the growth originated.
Nodule
A small swelling or aggregation of cells in the body, especially an abnormal one.
Hepatocyte
A liver cell.
Cutaneous Melanoma
Melanoma that occurs on the skin and is the most common type of melanoma.
Desmoplasia
The growth of fibrous or connective tissue.
Uveal Melanoma
Melanoma of the eye involving the iris, ciliary body, or choroid (collectively referred to as the uvea).
Superficial Spreading Melanoma
A type of skin cancer that begins when the melanocytes in the skin grow out of control and form tumors.
Lentigo Maligna Melanoma
A type of melanoma in situ of skin, generally occurring as pigmented lesions on the face and other regions, following severe sun-exposure and skin damage.
Sometimes, a large area of the skin may be involved, and an irregularly pigmented patch seen and can also spread/metastasize to other areas of the body.
Demoplastic Melanoma
A rare cutaneous condition characterized by a deeply infiltrating type of melanoma with an abundance of fibrous matrix. It usually occurs in the head and neck region of older people with sun-damaged skin.
Mucosal Melanoma
An exceedingly rare variant of cutaneous melanoma that, due to its rarity, is poorly described and infrequently studied. Primary sites of origin include the head and neck, anorectum and vulvovaginal regions. It is uniquely different from cutaneous melanoma with respect to epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis and prognosis.
Anorectum
The distal portion of the digestive tract, including the entire anal canal and the distal 2 cm of the rectum.
Etiology
The cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition.
Pathogenesis
The manner of development of a disease.
Congenital Nevi
Mole.
Blue Nevi
A type of melanocytic nevus. The blue color is caused by the pigment being deeper in the skin than in ordinary nevi.
Nodular Melanoma
The most aggressive form of melanoma. It tends to grow more rapidly in thickness than in diameter compared to other melanoma subtypes. Instead of arising from a pre-existing mole, it may appear in a spot where a lesion did not previously exist. Since NM tends to grow in depth more quickly than it does in width and can occur in a place that did not have a previous lesion, the prognosis is often worse because it takes longer for a person to be aware of the changes. NM is most often darkly pigmented; however, some NM lesions can be light brown, multicolored or even colorless. A light-colored or non-pigmented NM lesion may escape detection because the appearance is not alarming, however an ulcerated and/or bleeding lesion is common.
Vertical Growth Phase
Consists of cohesive nests, clusters, and nodules of tumor cells invading the dermis.
Radial Growth Phase
The early pattern of growth of cutaneous malignant melanoma, in which tumor cells spread laterally in the epidermis.
Pagetoid
A term used in dermatology to refer to “upward spreading” of abnormal cells in the epidermis. It is uncommon and a possible indication of a precancerous or cancerous condition. Cells display pagetoid growth when they invade the upper epidermis from below.
Amelanotic
A form of melanoma in which the malignant cells have little to no pigment. The term ‘amelanotic’ is often used to indicate lesions that are only partially devoid of pigment.
Lentiginous
Relating to or covered with or resembling freckles
freckled, having patterns (especially colorful patterns).
Lamina Properia
A thin layer of connective tissue that forms part of the moist linings known as mucous membranes or mucosa, which line various tubes in the body, such as the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, and the urogenital tract.
Subcutis
The deeper part of the dermis.