Pathology Flashcards
Define cancer
Uncontrolled cell proliferation and growth that can invade other tissues.
What is a tumour?
A swelling
What are the 3 classifications of tumours?
Benign
Malignant
Inflammatory
Define Neoplasms
New growth
How is a neoplasm stimulated?
It is never in response to a stimuli
Where in the body do you get neoplasms?
All over the body, any cell from any organ
What two things are key to knowing if a growth is malignant?
If it has metastatic potential
If it has grown beyond the basement membrane
What are the three precursors of cancer?
Dysplasia
Metaplasia
Hyperplasia
What is metaplasia?
The reversible change from one mature cell type to another mature cell type
What is metaplasia not?
A reversal in the appearance of adult cells
How is metaplasia stimulated?
By a change in signals delivered to stem cells, causing them to differentiate down a different line.
What three chemicals can stimulate metaplasia?
Cytokines
Growth factors
Other chemicals in the cells microenvironment
What normally stimulates metaplasia?
A noxious stimuli
Which type of cell is particularly prone to undergoing metaplasia?
Squamous epithelium
State three areas of the body which are prone to undergoing metaplasia
Oesophagus
Bronchial
Bladder
Why is the oesophagus prone to undergoing metaplasia?
Due to cell damage from acid reflux
Why is the bronchial epithelium prone to undergoing metaplasia?
Due to inhalation of toxins such as cigarette smoke
Why is the bladder prone to undergoing metaplasia?
Due to something such as a catheter causing inflammation
What risk increases when a cell undergoes metaplasia?
The risk of cancer development
Define hyperplasia
The enlargement of an organ or tissue caused by an increase in reproduction rate of its cells.
What stage of cancer development is hyperplasia?
Initial stage
Define dysplasia
Disordered growth
Does dysplasia have a stimulus?
No
How is dysplasia rated and what does each mean?
Rated from low grade to high grade - low being mostly normal and high being abnormal and closest to becoming cancer