Oncogenesis

Question 1

Prognosis of lung cancer

Answer 1

Poor. Breast and prostate cancers have better prognosis.

Question 2

Cancer

Answer 2

A collection of diseases which are characterised by abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth

Question 3

Oncology

Answer 3

The study of tumours

Question 4

Oncogenesis

Answer 4

Tumour growth stimulated by biological, chemical or physical factors

Question 5

Cancer incidence

Answer 5

The number of new cases within a defined time period

Question 6

Cancer prevalence

Answer 6

The number of individuals who have a diagnosis of cancer and are still living

Question 7

Neoplasm

Answer 7

An abnormal growth of tissue which is resultant of increased cell division or cells not undergoing normal cell death

Question 8

Tumour suppressor

Answer 8

Normal function is to restrain inappropriate cell division and cause apoptosis of cells which are abnormal/damaged/modified. Act to inhibit cell proliferation and survival. Partial or complete loss of this gene increases the chance of cancer.

Question 9

Oncogene

Answer 9

Drive abnormal cell proliferation as a result of mutations which either increase activity or expression of the gene. Drive towards a cancerous phenotype.

Question 10

p53

Answer 10

A transcription factor. Tumour suppressor gene. Encodes protein for the stimulation of apoptosis. Inactivation of p53 leads to cells failing to undergo apoptosis following DNA damage e.g. radiation

Question 11

Proto-oncogene

Answer 11

Gene that may induce cancerous activity once mutated. Commonly involved in essential control mechanisms of cell proliferation and differentiation.

Question 12

Oncogene

Answer 12

Promotes excessive cell proliferation and transformation of cells.

Question 13

Hyperplasia

Answer 13

Excessive cell proliferation

Question 14

Metaplasia

Answer 14

Can in the cell type seen e.g. in smokers, change from columnar ciliated to squamous

Question 15

Dysplasia

Answer 15

Disorganised cell growth. Cytologically abnormal. Change in size, shape, nucleus, mitotic activity

Question 16

Neoplasm

Answer 16

Excessive cell growth

Question 17

Metastases

Answer 17

Formation of a tumour at a secondary site, distal to the primary tumour

Question 18

Initiator of cancer

Answer 18

Carcinogens, radiation/UV, viruses, replication errors

Question 19

Promoters of cancer

Answer 19

Hormones, inflammation, normal growth promoters

Question 20

Retinoblastoma

Answer 20

Childhood cancer of the eye.
Hereditary (40%) - Bilateral. One inherited mutation and one chance mutation
Sporadic (60%) - Unilateral. Both chance mutations in somatic cell, decreased probability hence only seen in one eye.

Question 21

Hypomethylation

Answer 21

Increased transcription events

Question 22

Mutation 
Point mutation
Translocation
Gene amplification
Deletion

Answer 22

Heritable change in genetic material

Question 23

Hallmarks of cancer

Answer 23

Sustaining cell growth
Evading growth suppressors
Evasion of apoptosis
Invasion and metastasis
Immortalisation (telomeres)
Neoangiogenesis
Avoiding immune destruction
Deregulation of cellular energetics
Avoiding immune destruction
Genome instability and mutation

Question 24

Causes of cancer

Answer 24

Hereditary factors; lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol, UV); viruses (HPV, hepatitis); biological agents (microorganisms); iatrogenic agents (chemotherapy, ionizing radiation, immunosuppressive drugs, exogenous hormones)