Oncology Flashcards
proto-oncogenes
–genes that control cell replication
–result in cell growth and proliferation
–when mutated, proto-oncogenes become oncogenes that stimulate constant, unrelenting cell proliferation and cell cycling
difference between regular and cancer cell cycles
regular = checkpoints/rest phase
cancer = no checkpoints/rest phase
consequences of no checkpoints in cancer cell cycle
–no DNA errors recognized
–no apoptosis
growth in cancer cells
–cancer cells disregard the growth inhibitors released by neighboring cells
–as these cells proliferate, they stack on top of each other, take over boundaries of organs, crowd out normal cells, and may break free and travel to other sites in the body
differentiation
the extent that neoplastic cells resemble normal cells both structurally and functionally
anaplasia
total cellular disorganization, abnormal cell appearance, and cell dysfunction
anaplasia and proliferation
more anaplastic = faster proliferation
differentiation with benign and malignant tumors
benign = well-differentiated; resembles tissue of origin
malignant = poorly differentiated; does not resemble tissue of origin
rate of growth with benign and malignant tumors
benign = progressive, slow
malignant = erratic, slow to rapid
local invasion with benign and malignant tumors
benign = cohesive cells, well-demarcated tumor, often encapsulated making it movable
malignant = invasive and infiltrating, surrounding normal tissue
metastasis with benign and malignant tumors
benign = none
malignant = frequent
tumor care with benign and malignant tumors
benign = no necrosis
malignant = can have necrotic core
what are tumor markers?
biologic substances
what type of substances make up tumor markers?
hormones, enzymes, antigens, genes
where can tumor markers be found?
blood, urine, CSF, tumor plasma membrane
what are tumor markers useful for?
screening or diagnosis
are tumor markers diagnostic of cancer?
not always
examples of tumor markers
–prostate specific antigen
–BRCA gene mutation
grade I malignant tumor
cells are well-differentiated
grade II malignant tumor
cells are moderately differentiated
grade III malignant tumor
poorly differentiated or anaplastic cells
staging (T)
tumor size, location, and involvement
staging (N)
lymph node involvement
staging (M)
metastasis to distant organs
T0
no evidence of primary tumor
TIS
tumor in situ
T1-4
progressive increase in tumor size or involvement
N0
no spread to regional lymph nodes
N1
spread to closest or small number of regional lymph nodes
N2
spread to most distant or numerous regional lymph nodes
M0
none
M1
yes
stage 1
confined to organ of origin
stage 2
locally invasive (> 3 cm tumor)
stage 3
regional spread
stage 4
spread to distant sites