Oncology (1-6) Flashcards
a group of cells whose proliferation is uncontrolled and, under certain circumstances, can metastasis to distant sites
cancer
what is the dominant type of cancer in cats
FeLV infection
name the 7 alterations in cellular physiology that collectively dictate malignant growth
- a self sufficiency in growth
- an insensitivity to anti-growth signals
- an ability to evade programmed death (apoptosis)
- limitless replicative potential (mainly through reactivation of telomerase)
- an ability to sustain angiogenesis
- an ability to invade and metastasize
- an ability to evade host immunity
name 4 mechanisms of oncogene activation
- chromosomal translocation
- gene amplification
- point mutations
- viral insertions
cause a stimulatory effect on cell growth and proliferation; produce positive signals leading to uncontrolled growth
oncogene
cause tumor formation as a result from loss of inhibitory functions; has an inhibitory effect on cell growth and proliferation
tumor suppressor genes
name 3 treatment modalities of cancer
- surgery
- radiotherapy
- chemotherapy
this is the most important treatment modality of cancer; majority can be treated this way
surgery
this treatment modality of cancer is very important for primary tumors
radiotherapy
this is a systemic treatment important for secondary disease and ‘liquid tumors’ like leukemia
chemotherapy
this describes the severity of a patient’s cancer based on size and/or extent (reach) of the original (primary) tumor and whether or not cancer has spread in the body
staging
name 3 reasons why staging in cancer is important
- helps plan appropriate treatment
- can be used to determine prognosis
- helps vets and researchers exchange info about the patients
name 5 common elements considered in most cancer staging systems
- site of primary tumor and cell type
- tumor size and extent (reach)
- presence of metastasis
- tumor grade
what is the TNM staging system based on
T ‐ size and invasiveness of tumor
N ‐ status of nodal metastasis
M ‐ status of distant metastasis
this stage of cancer means the carcinoma is in situ
stage 0
this stage of cancer means the cancer has spread to distant tissues or organs
stage IV
this is a means of detecting disease early in asymptomatic individuals
screening
name 4 types of tumors diagnostic imaging is required for
- deep tumors
- tumors involving vital structures
- tumors involving bones
- tumors adjacent to bone
this type of imaging is useful for assessing parenchymatous organs and internal lymph nodes
ultrasound
this type of imaging is great for bony lesions, pulmonary lesions, and radiation planning
CT
this type of imaging is best for CNS lesions; many more shades of grey in soft tissue
MRI
name the type of biopsy
used to remove small cores of tumor tissue from solid lesions
tru-cut biopsy
name the type of biopsy
excellent for skin and superficial soft-tissue tumors; recover substantially more tissue than needle aspirates
skin punch biopsy
name the type of biopsy
surgical removal of a solid piece of tissue from a tumor for histopathological examination
incisional biopsy
name the type of biopsy
complete surgical extirpation of a tumor following which tissue samples are removed for histopathological examination
excisional biopsy
name the type of biopsy
often indicated in the diagnosis of conditions affecting lymphoid and myeloid systems - may take form of an aspirate or a core biopsy
bone marrow biopsy
name 3 possible sites for bone marrow biopsy
- humerus
- femur
- iliac crest
this is defined as one or more clinical signs induced by a tumor distant from its primary site; often due to production of a hormone, cytokine, enzyme/peptide, or homone-like substance
paraneoplastic syndrome (PNS)
what are the 2 ways factors causing PNS can be secreted?
- othotopically / topically
- ectopically
what 3 forms of calcium are included in the total serum calcium?
- active ionized calcium
- inactive protein-bound calcium
- complexed calcium
low albumin will have what effect on total calcium
reduce total calcium
high albumin will have what effect on total calcim
increase total calcium
what 3 things is calcium homeostasis tightly regulated by
- parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- active vitamin D (calcitriol)
- calcitonin
what is the most common cause of hypercalcemia in the dog?
cancer
what are the most common initial signs of hypercalcemia
primary polyuria with secondary polydipsia
name 4 tumors associated with hypercalcemia of malignancy
- lymphoproliferatice disease
- apocrine gland neoplasia
- parathyroid gland neoplasia
- other carcinomas
list the 8 investigations that should be made to diagnose hypercalcemia of malignancy
- clinical exam (lymph nodes, rectal)
- hematology/chemistry/UA
- ionized calcium
- radiography
- U/S
- FNA/biopsy abnormalities
- PTH/PTHrP
- bone marrow biopsy
name 5 differential diagnoses for hypercalcemia
- malignancy
- primary hyperparathyroidism
- primary renal disease
- hypervitaminosis D
- hyperthyroidism
what happens to PTH when there is hypercalcemia?
(except in cases of primary hyperparathyroidism)
reduced
what is the treatment for patients midly affected by hypercalcemia
2-3x maintenance IV isotonic fluid
(for subclinical dehydration)
what is the treatment for patients moderately affected by hypercalcemia
loop diuretics
(for non-azotemic patients)
what is the treatment for patients severely affected by hypercalcemia
salmon calcitonin
(oncologic emergency)
these are commonly co-administered with calcitonin because their peak effect can be delayed for a few days after administration but persists for weeks;
ideal for management of chronic hypercalcemia
biophosphonates
what are the clinical signs of hypoglycemia
neurological sgns and catecholamine effects
name 6 differential diagnoses of hypoglycemia
- neonatal
- breed-related
- sepsis
- liver failure
- insulinoma
- other paraneoplastic
list the 6 investigations that should be made to diagnose paraneoplastic hypocalcemia
- history
- physical exam
- biochemistry/hematology
- diagnositc imaging
- advanced imaging (CT/MRI)
- serum insulin
what is the treatment of choice for hypocalcemia caused by insulinoma
surgery
what is hyperhistaminemia (can be caused by mast cell tumors) treated with
- diphenhydramine, loratadine (H1 receptor blockade)
- ranitide, cimetidine or famotidine (H2 receptor blockade)
this is acquired due to an immune response against acetylcholine receptors of the motor nerve end-plates in skeletal muscle;
commonest PNS (paraneoplastic syndrome) in cats and dogs with thymoma
myasthenia gravis
this paraneoplastic syndrome (PNS) is associated with phaeochromacytoma (tumor of the adrenal medulla), secreting catecholamines
hypertension
what can hyperviscosity be associated with
- increased plasma proteins
- increased cell numbers (WBCs or RBCs)
name 5 clinical signs of hyperviscosity
- CNS
- polyuria/polydipsia
- cardiac compromise
- hemorrhage
- ocular changes
this is a syndrome characterized by periosteal proliferation of new bone
hypertrophic osteopathy
what type of tumor is hypertrophic osteopathy associated with
thoracic neoplasia
(or other space occupying lesions in chest/abdomen)
name some risks of oncology surgery
- non-diagnostic sample
- seeding
- incr. contamination field
- infection
- wound breakdown
- hemorrhage
- pain
what is the surgical dose for oncology surgery?
- remove adequate margin of tissue around tumor gross edge
- preserve as much healthy tissue as possible
what is the general rule for numerical margins for a mast cell tumor
2 cm
what is the general rule for numerical margins for STS
3-5 cm
what is the general rule for numerical margins for a melanoma
2-3 cm
what is the general rule for numerical margins for a carcioma
1-2 cm