Neoplasia Flashcards
What is neoplasia?
- Abnormal growth of cells
- Uncoordinated/ unregulated proliferation
- Persists without stimulus
Key features of a benign neoplasm
Slow growth rate
Smooth/encapsulated border
CONFINED BY BASEMENT MEMBRANE
Smooth/round shape
Well differentiated
Low recurrence chance
Surgically treated
Key features of a malignant neoplasm
Fast growth rate
Irregular border
INVADES BASEMENT MEMBRANE leading to local and distant spread
Spiculate/asymmetrical shape
Poorly differentiated
High chance of recurrence
Treated surgically, radiotherapy, chemo and immunotherapy
Types of benign tumours
adenoma, papilloma, osteoma, leiomyoma
Types of malignant tumours
adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, osteosarcoma, leukaemia, lymphoma, melanoma
What is dysplasia
(Pre-cancer/in-situ carcinoma)
1. Abnormal growth of cells
2. Uncoordinated/unregulated proliferation
3. Persists without a stimulus
4. Does not invade or metastasise…but might…
How does cancer spread
Locally
Lymphatic
Haematogenous
Trans-coelomic (through body cavity e.g. abdomen)
What can a cell do
Specialise
Divide
Die
What are the germ layers?
Ectoderm
Mesoderm
Endoderm
What is derived from ectoderm?
protective barriers e.g. epidermis, squamous cells of mouth/anus
What is derived from mesoderm?
Connective tissue e.g. blood, bone, muscle, vessels
What is derived from endoderm?
Specialised organs e.g. liver, digestive tract
Describe the cell cycle phases
Gap 1 - making organelles, protein synthesis
Synthesis - DNA synthesis for replication
Gap 2 - protein synthesis, regulation checks (repair errors or prevent division)
Mitosis
G0 - resting phase, not actively preparing to divide
What is apoptosis?
Programmed/regulated cell death as a result of signals to the cell, without damage to other cells
Shrivelling of cell, blebbing of organelles, fragmenting of the nucleus
What is necrosis?
Unregulated cell death
Leads to leakage of cell contents into the body, leading to inflammation
Usually due to pathology
