Neoplasia Flashcards

1
Q

What is neoplasia?

A

Abnormal growth of uncoordinated tissue mass.
Once the stimulus is removed the mass keeps growing.
Can be benign and malignant.

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2
Q

Describe the growth of a benign tumour?

A

Slow.

The whole mass grows at the same rate.

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3
Q

Under the microscope, how do benign masses appear?

A

Similar to the tissue of origin.

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4
Q

Why do benign tumours not invade surrounding tissues?

A

Have a connective tissue capsule.

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5
Q

Both benign and malignant tumours of the endocrine glands are life-threatening; why is this?

A

Can release hormones in excessive amounts/when not necessary.

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6
Q

What is metastasis?

A

The malignant tumour can travel around the body and invade distant tissues.

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7
Q

What does a malignant tumour look like under the microscope?

A

Can look like the tissue of origin or be totally unrecognisable.

Pleomorphism: cell size varies and so too does the size of the nucleus.

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8
Q

Name both a benign and malignant tumour of the salivary gland.

A

Benign: Pleomorphic adenoma.

Malignant: Squamous cell carcinoma.

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9
Q

What is a sarcoma?

A

Malignancy of the connective tissue.

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10
Q

What is a carcinoma?

A

Malignancy of the epithelial tissue.

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11
Q

What causes carcinogenesis?

A

Chemical agents.
Physical agents.
Oncotic viruses.

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12
Q

Name the 3 stages of carcinogenesis.

A

Initiation: Permanent DNA damaged by mutations.

Promotion: Mutating agent acts of the initiated cell.
REVERSIBLE UP UNTIL THIS POINT.

Progression: Passenger mutations occur along the way. IRREVERSIBLE.

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13
Q

What cells are most effected by ionising radiation (physical carcinogenesis)?

A

Labile cells.

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14
Q

The human papilloma virus is an example of an oncotic virus; what types cause cervical and oropharyngeal carcinomas?

A

HPV 16 and 18

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15
Q

Name an example of a potentially malignant disorder?

A

Leukoplakia: White lesion.

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16
Q

What histological appearance means the cell has the potential to become malignant?

A

Dysplasia.

17
Q

Name the 4 genes that are important in carcinogenesis.

A

Oncogenes.
Tumour suppressor genes.
DNA repair genes.
MicroRNA.

18
Q

What are porto-oncogenes? What are they called when they start to mutate?

A

Genes that regulate cell division.

Once they start to mutate they’re called oncogenes.

19
Q

How many mutations do oncogenes require before they become malignant?

A

1

20
Q

What are tumour suppressor genes?

A

Inhibits cell division and suppresses growth.

21
Q

What is the hypothesis associated with tumour suppressor genes?

A

Knudson’s two hit hypothesis: 2 genes must mutate before the cell becomes malignant.

22
Q

Name an example of a gene that applies to the Kudson’s hypothesis.

A

Retinoblastoma gene.

23
Q

What can p53 be inactivated by?

A

Oncotic viruses.

This means there is no repair/apoptosis of damaged cells.

24
Q

What are the 6 hallmarks of cancer?

A

Be able to produce its own growth factors.

Be insensitive to anti-growth signals.

Have the ability to metastasise.

Have a long life.

Have a supply of blood vessels.

Be able to evade apoptosis.

25
Q

Name the ways malignant tumours can spread.

A

Local spread
Via the lymphatics.
Via haematogenous (blood)
Between body cavities.

26
Q

Describe the pattern of spread for a carcinoma.

A

Spread initially by lymphatic tissue.

Spread by haematogenous later on.

27
Q

Describe the pattern of spread for a sarcoma.

A

Spread initially by hematogenous.

28
Q

What is grading of a tumour?

A

Done by histopathology.

29
Q

What is staging of a tumour?

A

Carried out by clinical observation.

30
Q

What sign indicates a better prognosis?

A

If the tissue is similar to the tissue of origin.

31
Q

What system is used to asses staging?

A

TNM:
T: Tumour size (cm)
N:Lymph node involvement
M: Metastasis present

32
Q

What are the systemic effects of a tumour caused by?

A

Cytokines and hormones.