Oncology Flashcards
Proto-Oncogene
-good gene
-controls growth of cells
Oncogene
-bad gene
-mutated Proto-oncogene
-uncontrolled cell growth
Tumor suppressor gene
-good gene
-slow down cellular division, cause cell death
Mutated tumor suppressor gene
-bad gene
-uncontrolled cell growth
Differentiated cells
Maturity or development of tumor cells
Well differentiated characteristics
-resemble normal cells
-mature cells
-function more like normal cell
-grow at slower rate
-less aggressive
-typically benign
Poorly differentiated cells - characteristics
-do NOT resemble normal cells
-immature cells
-lack structure / function
-aggressive
-typically malignant
Benign
Not cancer - cannot metastasize, but can cause problems locally (block blood flow, cause pain, etc.)
Malignant
Cancerous, will metastasize
Benign characteristics - cell type
-well differentiated
Benign characteristics - mode or growth and rate
-expands, usually encapsulated
-slow growing
Benign characteristics - does it metastasize ?
NO
Benign characteristics - general effects
Usually Localized
Benign characteristics - destruction ?
Usually none unless blood flow impaired
Benign characteristics - morbidity
Minimal - unless location interferes with vital function
Malignant characteristics - cell
Poorly differentiated
Malignant characteristics - mode of growth and rate
-sends out projections that infiltrate and destroy
-growth rate variable
Malignant characteristics - does it metastasize ?
YES
Malignant characteristics - general effects
-generalized : anemia, weakness, weight loss
Malignant characteristics - destruction?
Often extensive - excretes toxins, uses up blood supply
Malignant characteristics - morbidity
High - unless growth and spread can be controlled or halted
How does cancer spread?
Locally invasive
“Fingers” of cancer cells invade surrounding tissue
How does cancer spread?
Metastasis
Malignant cells travel through blood or lymph system and invade other tissue or organs to form secondary tissue
Most common sites of metastasis
BBLL - brain, bone, lung, liver
Bone - most painful
What do viruses do?
Can they put you more at risk / more susceptible for cancer?
Cause inflammation
Yes - if act with other factors
Virus example + which cancer it could lead to
HPV
Cervical CA
Virus example + which cancer it could lead to
Hepatitis B/C
Liver CA
Virus example + which cancer it could lead to
Einstein - Barr
Lymphoma
Virus example + which cancer it could lead to
Human herpes virus 8
Kaposis sarcoma
Virus example + which cancer it could lead to
HIV
Lymphoma + kaposis sarcoma
Virus example + which cancer it could lead to
Helicobacter- pylori
Stomach ulcers, lymphoma in the stomach lining
Hormone replacement therapy - which hormones are involved?
Estrogen & progestin
Health education and Disease prevention
PRIMARY PREVENTION
health promotion and illness prevention - WELLNESS
Health education and Disease prevention
PRIMARY PREVENTION - accomplished by …?
-avoiding a carcinogen
-adequate and proper nutrition
-low stress
-lifestyle changes
-dietary changes
Health education and Disease prevention
SECONDARY PREVENTION
-SCREENING (self Brest & testicular exams) & DIAGNOSIS + TREATMENT
Health education and Disease prevention
SECONDARY PREVENTION / goal?
Halt the progress of cancer through EARLY SCREENING & DIAGNOSIS
Health education and Disease prevention
TERTIARY PREVENTION
Disease TREATMENT & REHAB + health RESTORATION
Health education and Disease prevention
TERTIARY PREVENTION - goal?
Prevent further deterioration
Health education and Disease prevention
Chemoprevention
-the use of substances to lower risk of cancer
Health education and Disease prevention
Chemoprevention - SERMs (BCA)
Tamoxifen - decreases risk of breast cancer (binds estrogen)
What is the purpose of screening?
Look for cancer before symptoms appear
Types of screening
Physical exam, lab tests, imaging procedures, genetic testing
Colorectal screening guidelines
What age? For who?
What exams?
Beginning at AGE 45 - men & women
-fecal occult blood test (FOBT) - yearly
-flexible sigmoidoscopy- every 5 years
-colonoscopy- every 10 years unless family hx or something on scan
Warning signs of cancer
CAUTION
Change in bowel or bladder habits
A sore that does not heal
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Thickening or lump in breast or else where
Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
Obvious change in a wart or mole
Nagging cough or hoarseness
Grading
Pathologist compares the appearance of cancer cells to normal surrounding cells - differentiation
Staging
Classifying a malignancy by the extent of spread within the body
What does a higher number mean with grading and staging?
The worse the cancer is
What is the system used for staging and what does it mean?
T - size of tumor
N - number of lymph nodes involved
M - extent of metastasis
Who stages the cancer?
Oncologist
What does “in Situ “ mean?
In one area - best case for treatment
What are the lymph nodes?
Highway system through the body
(Staging ) Localized
Still in the original origin
Staging - regional
Spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs
Staging- distant
Spread to distant body parts
Tumor markers are used for what?
To determine effectiveness of treatment
