Neoplasms

Question 1

Neoplasia

Answer 1

New Growth or Tumor

Question 2

Solid Tumors

Answer 2

Carcinoma - Epithelial tissue
Adenocarcinoma - Glandular tissue (lung, colon cancer)
Sarcoma - Connective or supportive tissue (osteosarcoma = bone cancer)

Question 3

Hematologic Malignancies

Answer 3

Liquid Tumors - Liquid or blood cancers
Leukemia
Lymphoma (Hodgkin, non-hodgkin)
Myeloma - Originates in bone marrow

Question 4

Carcinogen

Answer 4

Physical - Radiation/UV
Chemical - Asbestos, arsenic, benzene, ethylene oxide, tobacco smoke
Viruses - HPV, HIV, Flaviviruses, Retroviruses

Question 5

Cancer Causing Factors

Answer 5

Host factors - genetics, obesity, aging, lifestyle
Environmental Factors - Pollution, smoking, alcohol, occupational exposure

Question 6

Pro-oncogene

Answer 6

Genes that code for proteins involved in normal cell growth.
When mutated, enable cancer cell to grow uncontrollably

Question 7

Tumor Suppressor Gene

Answer 7

Normally help control cell proliferation
When mutated, genes no longer suppress proliferation
(BRCA1 & 2)

Question 8

DNA Repair Genes

Answer 8

Allow cell to repair DNA damage
5 pathways during each stage of cell cycle
If not corrected can lead to mutation that leads to cancer formation (BRCA1)

Question 9

Epigenetic Changes

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Chromosome Translocation

Answer 10

Occurs when one piece of a chromosome moves to another chromosome.
This genetic alteration activates an oncogene (mutated gene that has potential to cause cancer).

Question 11

Genetic Instability

Answer 11

Defective mechanisms that lead to increased rate of genetic alterations
Clonal evolution of tumor cells
Classic sign of cancer

Question 12

Inflammation

Answer 12

Enhances the process of carcinogenesis

Question 13

Pleiomorphism

Answer 13

Cells in various shapes and sizes
Cancer cell characteristic.

Question 14

Hyperchromatism

Answer 14

Nuclear chromatin more pronounced with staining
Cancer cell characteristic

Question 15

Polymorphism

Answer 15

Nucleus enlarges and variable in shape
Cancer cell characteristic

Question 16

Abnormal Chromosome Arrangements

Answer 16

Translocations - exchange of chromosomal material
Deletions - Loss of chromosome segment
Amplification - Increased number of copies of a DNA sequence
Aneuploidy - Abnormal number of chromosomes

Question 17

Cellular Differentiation and Grading

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Anaplasia

Answer 18

Lack of cell differentiation

Question 19

Normal vs. Malignant Cell Differences

Answer 19

Shape: Well circumscribed vs pleiomorphic (different shapes/sizes)
Cell cohesiveness: Likes to stay with others in an organ vs move to other sites
Controlled growth: Don’t make cells if don’t need to vs make more cells even without need (tumors)
Well differentiated: Look like parent cell vs doesn’t (grading)
Mortal: Designated life span vs no apoptosis.

Question 20

Metastasis

Answer 20

Spread of cancer cells from original site.
Spreads via bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Symptoms of metastatic disease: Shortness of breath, pain, headache, seizures

Question 21

Clinical Manifestations of Cancer

Answer 21

Anorexia, bleeding, immunosuppression, infections, weight loss, fatigue, pain, sleep disorders.
Paraneopastic Syndrome

Question 22

Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Answer 22

Caused by cancer
May be presenting sign
Types: Syndrome of inappropriate anti diuretic hormone (SIADH), cushing’s, HYPERCALCEMIA, venous thrombosis

Question 23

Treatments of Cancer

Answer 23

Surgery
Radiation Therapy
Chemo Therapy
Targeted Therapy/Biotherapy
Immunotherapy

Question 24

Chemotherapy

Answer 24

Systemic Therapy, works at cellular level on cells.
Some drugs are cell cycle specific while others are not.
Toxicities and adverse effects based on its effect on particular cells.
Drugs grouped into classes based on cellular activity and pharm properties specific to cancer being treated.

Question 25

Biotherapy/Immunotherapy

Answer 25

Use of natural and manufactured substances derived from the body to: Stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system, use antibodies to fight cancer, change or modify relationship between cancer and host.
Targeted therapy - Blocks specific receptor, attaches to receptor to assist immune cells to kill caner, carries chemotherapy into cell.
Immunotherapy - helps effector cells in body become activated or enhanced, targeted cancer cell death

Question 26

Neoadjuvant Therapy

Answer 26

Treatment prior to primary therapy to shrink tumor

Question 27

Adjuvant Therapy

Answer 27

Follows primary treatment. Goal to target minimal disease or micro metastasis

Question 28

Conditioning or Preparative Therapy

Answer 28

Empty marrow space prior to transplant or to eliminate residual disease

Question 29

Immunosuppression

Answer 29

To blunt immune response.

Question 30

Goals of Cancer Therapy

Answer 30

Prevention
Cure
Control
Palliation - Relief of symptoms