Neoplasia Flashcards
T/F Tumors of epithelial origin generally are termed “carcinomas” if they are benign and “adenomas” if they are malignant.
1 False - this is reversed
T/F If a tumor is located in a critical area of the body, it may be histologically benign yet still have an unfavorable outcome.
2 True - ex: benign brain tumors
T/F All neoplasms (1) form tumors, and (2) are malignant.
3 False - not all neoplasms form tumors (ex: leukemia) nor are all tumors malignant
T/F Metastasis refers to the ability of a malignant tumor to grow invasively.
4 False
T/F The ability to metastasize is an acquired trait for malignant cells; malignant cells do not automatically “know” how to metastasize, but must instead “learn” how to do it
5 True
T/F All malignant cells, by definition, have the ability to metastasize.
6 False
T/F Like malignant tumors, benign tumors have the ability to metastasize, i.e., to spread by seeding secondary tumors to other parts of the body
7 False
T/F Tumors of mesenchymal origin generally take the suffix “-oma” if they are benign or “- sarcoma” if they are malignant.
8 True
T/F Carcinoid tumors typically arise from cells of the adrenal medulla and secrete large amounts of epinephrine.
9 False - carcinoid tumors are cancers of neuroendocrine cells, not adrenal cells, and they secrete large amounts of serotonin, not epinephrine
T/F Carcinomas are unusual among cancers in that these epithelial tumors progress to cancer in a single step- from healthy epithelium to cancer with no intermediate steps
10 False, actually no cancers are formed in a single step
_________________________________ refers to the uncontrolled growth of cells whose proliferation cannot be controlled by normal regulatory mechanisms operating in normal tissue.
20 Neoplasia
_______________________ refers to the process by which (cancer) cells move from one site in the body to another; it is the process whereby primary tumors spawn secondary tumors
21 Metastasis
_________________________________ are normally functioning genes whose cell products help regulate such body activities as growth and the cell cycle; however, if mutated in specific ways, these genes cause cancer.
22 Proto-oncogene
_________________________________ refers to the formation of new blood vessels, a process promoted by tumors to bring in the blood they need to grow.
23 Angiogenesis
Single greatest risk factor as well as the most common presenting symptom: Lung
Lung: smoking, cough
Single greatest risk factor as well as the most common presenting symptom: Breast
Breast: family hx, lump
Single greatest risk factor as well as the most common presenting symptom: Colon
Colon: family hx of polyps, blood in stool
Single greatest risk factor as well as the most common presenting symptom: Cervical
Cervical: multiple partners, vaginal bleeding
Single greatest risk factor as well as the most common presenting symptom: Uterine
Uterine: hormone imbalance, vaginal bleeding
Single greatest risk factor as well as the most common presenting symptom: Prostate
Prostate: old age, dysuria
Single greatest risk factor as well as the most common presenting symptom: Skin
Skin: sun exposure & fair skin, skin lesions
Which ONE of the following is NOT a characteristic of most neoplastic growths or tumors? A. Neoplastic growth is autonomous; it is independent of growth factors and stimuli that promote the growth of
normal cells
B. Neoplastic growth is invasive rather than expansive and is capable of metastasis
C. Neoplastic growth is excessive; it is unceasing in response to normal regulators of cell proliferation
D. Neoplastic growth is disorganized; it is not prone to following the rules governing the formation of normal tissues
and organs
E. Neoplastic growth is abnormal; it usually leads to the formation of tumors
30 B: this statement applies only to malignant neoplasia
Which ONE of the following is NOT known to have possible carcinogenic effects in humans? A. Industrial agents such as asbestos
B. Chemicals, especially polycyclic hydrocarbons such as occur abundantly in cigarette smoke and coal tar C. Certain viruses, such as the Epstein-Barr and hepatitis B viruses
D. Certain genes, if mutated appropriately
E. Genetics—some cancers are inherited
F. (None, Mr. Silly. All of the above may potentially cause human cancers)
31 F, and this list is just the tip of the iceberg
Which ONE of the following is NOT true of carcinoid tumors? Carcinoid tumors… A. … arise from neuroendocrine cells
B. … are aggressive tumors which metastasize early
C. …when symptomatic, usually cause facial flushing
D. … if located in the GI tract, may also cause diarrhea
E. may metastasiz to the liver, causing carcinoid syndrome
F. … when growing as a secondary in the liver, may cause problems with the right heart valves G. … may occur in the lungs as well as the GI tract
H. (None, Mr. Silly. All of the above apply to carcinoid tumors)
32 B, carcinoids grow slowly and have low metastatic potential; when they do metastasize, it is often the liver
