Neoplasm Flashcards
neoplasm
-uncontrolled growth of anaplastic cells
-Can metastasize to distant sites
caused by mutations in a cell’s gene, genomic instability, and/or inflammation
Neoplasia
new growth or tumor
“OMA” at the end of a word refers to a tumor
-Adenoma
-Carcinoma
-Papilloma-micro/macroscopic finger-like projections (are benign)
Carcinoma
Originate in epithelial tissue
Adenocarcinoma
Originate in glandular tissue, that form mucus or fluid.
Examples: lung, breast, prostate, or colon
Sarcoma
Originate in connective or supportive tissue
examples: bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, cartilage and blood vessels of the arms and legs
ex-Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
Hematologic (Liquid) Malignancies
May be describes as liquid or blood cancers
-Leukemia
-Lymphoma
Hodgkin or Non-Hodgkin
-Multiple myeloma (plasma cell cancer)
-Myelodysplastic Syndrome
(Group of disorders caused by blood cells that are poorly formed)
Carcinogens
Physical:
Ionizing radiation
Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight
Chemical:
Asbestos- Old buildings, mold
Arsenic- chemical element
Benzene
Ethylene oxide
Tobacco smoke
Viruses:
HPV
HIV
Flaviviruses
Retroviruses
Pro-oncogene
Genes that code for proteins involved in normal cell growth
When mutated, enable cancer cell to grow uncontrollably
group of genes that cause normal cells to become cancerous when they are mutated
Tumor Suppressor Gene
Normally help control cell proliferation
When mutated, genes no longer suppress proliferation
Example: BRCA1 and BRCA2
(seen mostly in Breast cancer)
DNA Repair Genes
Allow cells to repair DNA damage
Five pathways – active a different stages of the cell cycle
If not corrected can lead to a mutation that can lead to cancer formation
BRCA1
BRCA2
HER 2
Epigenetic changes
Mechanism that alters the physical structure of DNA
May change the activity of a gene without changing the sequence of DNA
Normally, tells genes when to turn on or off
Newer area of cancer research
Chromosome Translocation
Occurs when one piece of a chromosome moves to another chromosome
This genetic alteration activates an oncogene
Example:
The BCR gene on chromosome 9 is fused to the ABL gene on chromosome 22 (Philadelphia chromosome)
Genetic Instability
mutation present in all the tumor cells of a tumor sample or biopsy.
Defective mechanisms that lead to increased rate of genetic alterations
Clonal evolution of tumor cells
Classic sign of cancer
Inflammation
Enhances the process of carcinogenesis
Pleiomorphism
cells in various shapes and sizes
Hyperchromatism
nuclear chromatin more pronounced with staining
A cell that contains more than the normal number of chromosomes and hence stains more densely.
Polymorphism
nucleus enlarges and variable in shape
Translocation
exchange of chromosomal material
Aneuploidy
abnormal # of chromosomes
Deletions
loss of chromosome segment
Amplification
increase number of copies of a DNA sequence
Grading = Degree of Differentiation
Grade 1 – well-differentiated (low grade)
Grade 2 – moderate differentiated or intermediate grade
Grade 3 – poorly differentiated or high grade
Grade 4 – undifferentiated or unable to tell where cell came from
Anaplasia
lack of cellular differentiation
Hallmark sign of cancer
The term anaplasia means “to form backward,
Normal Cell Growth
Well differentiated
Controlled, slow growth
Uniform shape
Cellular communication
Encapsulated
Cell cohesiveness
Mortal (apoptosis)
Malignant Cells
Poorly differentiated
Abnormal appearance
Lack of cohesiveness
Rapid, disorderly division
Loss of cellular communication
Invasive, capable of spreading
Immortal (avoid apoptosis)
Symptoms of metastatic disease
Shortness of breath
Pain
Headache
Seizures
Clinical Manifestations of cancer
Anorexia/Cachexia
Bleeding
Immunosuppression
Infections
Weight loss
Fatigue
Pain
Sleep disorders
Paraneoplastic syndromes
-Caused by the cancer
-May be presenting sign
group of rare disorders that are triggered by an abnormal immune system response to a cancerous tumor known as a “neoplasm.” Paraneoplastic syndromes are thought to happen when cancer-fighting antibodies or white blood cells (known as T cells) mistakenly attack normal cells in the nervous system.
Types
SIADH
Cushing’s
Hypercalcemia
Venous thrombosis
Treatment of Cancer
Surgery
Radiation Therapy
Chemotherapy
Targeted Therapy/Biotherapy
Immunotherapy
What is Chemotherapy
Is systemic therapy
Works at the cellular level on cells
Some drugs are cell cycle specific, while others are cell cycle non-specific
Toxicities and adverse effects are based on its effect on particular cells
Drugs are grouped into various classes based on their cellular activity and pharmacologic properties of the drug specific to the cancer being treated.
What is biotherapy/immunotherapy
The use of natural and manufactured substances derived from the body to:
Stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system
-Uses antibodies to fight cancer
-Change or modify the relationship between the cancer and the host
Targeted therapy
-Blocks a specific receptor
-Attaches to a specific receptor to assist the immune system to kill the cancer
-Carries chemotherapy or a radioisotope into the cell
Immunotherapy helps effector cells in the body to become activated and/or enhanced results in targeted cancer cell death
Neoadjuvant therapy
Neoadjuvant refers to chemotherapy that is given prior to surgery
Goal is to shrink tumor size before therapy
Adjuvant therapy
Adjuvant refers to chemotherapy that is administered post-surgery
Goal is to target minimal disease or micro metastasis
Conditioning or preparative therapy
Given before chemo
Goal is to empty marrow space prior to transplant or to eliminate residual disease
To provide adequate immunosuppression to prevent rejection of the transplanted graft. To eradicate the disease for which the transplant is being performed.
Immunosuppression
To blunt immune response
Proto oncogene vs oncogene
A mutated (changed) form of a type of gene called a proto-oncogene, which is involved in normal cell growth and division. When a proto-oncogene is changed so that too many copies are made or it becomes more active than normal, it is called an oncogene.
Oncogenes
A mutated (changed) form of a type of gene called a proto-oncogene, which is involved in normal cell growth and division.
