Oncology 7 Flashcards
1
Q
What is the “7th” characteristic of all cancers?
A
genetic instability
2
Q
Genetics of cancer: the result of genetic changes in the cell. Cancer requires an accumulation of ______
A
mutations
creates a progression from a healthy cell to a malignant one
3
Q
What are the types of mutations seen in cancer?
A
- base change
- insertion
- chromosome translocations
- deletions
4
Q
Characteristics of inherited mutations
A
- present at birth, and in every cell
- passed from one generation to the next
- increase the risk of cancer exponentially
- found in many familial syndromes
5
Q
Characteristics of somatic mutations
A
- acquired throughout life of the cell
- not passed on to the next generation
- increased risk of cancer, but less so
- not associated with familial syndromes
6
Q
Inherited mutations account for only ____% of cancers
A
5-10%
7
Q
What do BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 do?
A
- expressed in cells of breast and other tissues
- help repair damaged DNA
- destroy cells if DNA can’t be repaired
8
Q
What happens to cancer risk with mutation or absence of BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 proteins?
A
- increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer
- can be inherited
9
Q
BRCA 1 or 2 mutations can be inherited: this is called _____
A
founder effect
10
Q
BRCA 1 and BRCA2 mutations account for _______ of breast cancers
A
5-10%
