Neoplasia Flashcards

1
Q

Neoplasm

A

An abnormal mass of tissue, whose uncoordinated and excessive growth exceeds that of normal tissues and persists after the cessation of the initial stimulus.

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2
Q

Are tumors autonomous?

A

Yes, but they depend on the host for nutrition.

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3
Q

Characteristics of Benign Tumors

A

Cohesive, slow/limited growth, well circumscribed, lobulated, encapsulated, mobile.

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4
Q

How can benign tumors be lethal?

A

If they’re in very sensitive areas like the heart (atrial myxoma) or the brain (meningioma).

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5
Q

Characteristics of malignant tumors

A

Aggressive and limitless growth, invasion/destruction of adjacent structures, poorly demarcated. Infiltrating borders.

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6
Q

How are neoplasms named?

A

Named for the tissue they are becoming, or for the tissue from which they are derived.

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7
Q

Leiomyoma, and cancerous equivalent

A

Smooth muscle benign tumor. Leiomyosarcoma.

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8
Q

Adenoma and cancerous equivalent

A

Glandular epithelium benign tumor, adenocarcinoma.

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9
Q

Hamartoma

A

Disorganized growth of indigenous tissue. Ex: disorganized bile ducts in the liver

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10
Q

Choristoma

A

Normal architecture in the wrong location, happens during development. Ex: heterotopic pancreas in the stomach.

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11
Q

Parenchyma vs Stroma

A

P: The tumor. S: supporting cells and connective tissue.

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12
Q

Hyperplasia

A

Increase in the number of cells.

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13
Q

Metaplasia

A

Replacement of one mature cell type with another. Ex: Columnar to squamous in the lungs of smokers.

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14
Q

Dysplasia

A

Loss of cell uniformity and orientation. Generally with epithelium, where the cells grow in number. First sign on way to malignant neoplasm.

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15
Q

Desmoplasia

A

A collagenous fibrosis reaction to invasion.

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16
Q

Anaplasia

A

Complete lack of differentiation. Certainly a malignancy.

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17
Q

Grading of Neoplasms

A

Assigning a level of differentiation. Grade predicts future behavior.

18
Q

Criteria for determining grade

A

Uniformity, nuclei, mitoses, architecture

19
Q

What is abnormal about cancer cell nuclei?

A

They are enlarged and elongated, hyperchromatic, increased nucleus to cytoplasm ratio. Prominent nucleoli.

20
Q

What is abnormal about cancer cell uniformity?

A

Pleomorphism: large variation in size and shape.

21
Q

What is abnormal about cancer cell mitoses?

A

Higher number relative to healthy cells. Atypical shapes of mitotic cells. Sometimes tripolar.

22
Q

What is abnormal about cancer cell architecture?

A

Loss of polarity and luminar orientation.

23
Q

Clinically detectable rate of tumor growth vs rate that’s incompatible with life

A

10^9 (30 doublings) vs 10^12 (40 doublings)

24
Q

Rate of tumor growth dependent on…

A

Doubling time, growth fraction (% of neoplastic cells dividing), rate of cell loss. Growth fraction most important.

25
Q

Susceptibility to chemotherapy determined by…

A

Growth Fraction.

26
Q

How does surgery affect growth fraction?

A

Increases it! Increasing susceptibility to chemo.

27
Q

What is easier to resect, benign or malignant growth?

A

Benign, good borders. Malignant tumors have terrible borders and cause a desmoplastic response if they have infiltrated surrounding tissue, increasing collagen and fibrous tissue.

28
Q

Carcinoma in situ

A

Dysplasia that involves that entire thickness of epithelium. Seen generally in the cervix, the thin squamous cells at the top are replaced by rounded cells all the way through.

29
Q

Metastasis

A

Remote tumor deposits, a keystone feature of malignant tumors. Correlates with tumor grade

30
Q

3 means of metastasis

A

Lymphatic spread- carcinomas spread through regional lymph nodes. Hematogenous spread- through vessels, generally to liver and lungs. By both carcinomas and sarcomas. Seeding of cavities- pleura and peritoneum, carcinomas.

31
Q

Tumor Staging

A

T (Size of primary tumor, 0-4), N (number/location of regional nodes), M (metastases, number sites). More important for prognosis than grading.

32
Q

Paraneoplastic syndrome

A

A comorbidity of cancer, unrelated to the tumor’s location.

33
Q

Trousseau Syndrome

A

Causes venous thrombosis and a hypercoagulable state. Found with cancers like pancreatic carcinoma.

34
Q

What tumor suppressor is lost leading to polyp formation?

A

APC

35
Q

When is p53 lost? What is the consequence?

A

Usually late stage, causes development of full blown carcinoma.

36
Q

Things associated with invasion and metastasis

A

Loss of cadherins, ecm degradation by metalloproteases, increased attachment and migration, angiogenesis.

37
Q

Causes of skin cancer:

A

UVB exposure causes pyrimidine dimers.

38
Q

Cause of melanoma vs non-melanoma skin cancer

A

Intensity of light in melanoma, total exposure in non-melanoma.

39
Q

Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma caused by…?

A

HPV

40
Q

Cribiform

A

A gland within a gland