Pathology: cell changes & neoplasia Flashcards
what is hyperplasia
increased number of cells
what is hypertrophy
increased cell size
what is atrophy
reduction in cell size
give some causes of atrophy (4)
loss of blood supply, loss of innervation, lack of use, degenerative conditions
describe some features of hyperplasia
it is always in response to a stimulus and will regress if stimulus is withdrawn
hyperplastic tissue at higher risk of cancer, occurring if cell numbers continue to increase even when stimulus removed
what does neoplasia mean
new growth, can be malignant or benign
what is a tumour
a growth or swelling, it is a descriptive term not diagnostic
what does malignant mean
= cancer and that its invasive, i.e. has spread past basement membrane and has potential to be metastatic
what is metastases
spread of cancer to a site distant from its point of origin
what is a precursor lesion
stage at which a cell is at high risk of becoming malignant
describe metaplasia
reversible change from one mature cell type to another
high risk cancer development
describe dysplasia
disordered cell growth, cells are abnormal and not changing in response to stimulus
no invasion past basement membrane
what is meant by carcinoma in situ
dysplasia affecting whole basement membrane, the last stage before becoming invasive
