Pathology of Neoplasia: classification and characteristics Flashcards
Define Tumour
literally means “a swelling” not necessarily neoplastic
Define neoplasm
literally means “new growth”
an abnormal mass of tissue, the growth of which exceeds and is un-coordinated with that of the adjacent normal tissue and persists in the same excessive manner after cessation of the stimulus that provoked the change
Whats the difference between benign and malignant neoplasms
Benign - usually harmless
Malignant - usually harmful
How might a benign neoplasm threaten life
Meningioma = raised intracranial pressure
Insulinoma produces insulin = Hypoglycaemia
Define Histogenesis
The cellular origin of a neoplasm
Define Differentiation
The degree to which a neoplasm resembles its normal cell of origin
What is the difference between a well and poorly differentiated neoplasm
Well differentiated - close resemblance to normal cell of origin
Poorly Differentiated - little resemblance to normal cell of origin
Define Anaplasia
Complete lack of differentiation in a neoplasm
What does the suffix of -oma mean for neoplasms and give examples
- benign neoplasms
e. g. papilloma, adenoma, lipoma
What is the name of the benign epithelial neoplasms that you can find from stratified squamous epithelium and give and example of this epithelium
Squamous Cell Papilloma
e.g. skin
What is the name of the benign epithelial neoplasms that you can find from transitional cell epithelium and give and example of this epithelium
Transitional cell papilloma
e.g. urogenital tract
What is the name of the benign epithelial neoplasms that you can find from glandular epithelium and give and example of this epithelium
Adenoma
e.g. gastrointestinal tract
What is the name for benign connective tissue neoplasms in fat cells
Lipoma
What is the name for benign connective tissue neoplasms in smooth muscle cells
Leiomyoma
What is the name for benign connective tissue neoplasms in nerve cells
Neurofibroma
What is the name for benign connective tissue neoplasms in striated muscle cells
Rhabdomyoma
What is the name for benign connective tissue neoplasms in endothelium cells
Haemangioma
What exceptions are there to the benign neoplasm -oma rule
- Lymphoma
- Myeloma
- Melanoma
- mesothelioma
What is the suffix for malignant neoplasms of epithelial tissue and give examples
- carcinoma
e. g. squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma
What is the suffix for malignant neoplasms of connective tissue and give examples
- sarcoma
e. g. liposarcoma. leiomyosarcoma
What is the suffix for malignant neoplasms of embryonic tissue and give examples
- blastoma
e. g. retinoblastoma
What is the name for malignant epithelial neoplasms that you can find from stratified squamous epithelium and give an example of this epithelium
Squamous cell carcinoma
e.g. skin
What is the name for malignant epithelial neoplasms that you can find from transitional cell epithelium and give an example of this epithelium
Transitional cell carcinoma
- urogenital tract
What is the name for malignant epithelial neoplasms that you can find from glandular epithelium and give an example of this epithelium
Adenocarcinoma
e.g. gastrointestinal tract
What is the name for malignant connective tissue neoplasms in fat cells
Liposarcoma
What is the name for malignant connective tissue neoplasms in smooth muscle cells
Leiomyosarcoma
What is the name for malignant connective tissue neoplasms in nerve cells
Neurofibrosarcoma
What is the name for malignant connective tissue neoplasms in striated muscle cells
Rhabdomyosarcoma
What is the name for malignant connective tissue neoplasms in endothelium cells
Haemangiosarcoma
What is the name for malignant embryonic neoplasms from kidney cells
Nephroblastoma
What is the name for malignant embryonic neoplasms from neural tissue cells
Neuroblastoma
What is the name for malignant embryonic neoplasms from retina cells
Retinoblastoma
Where are germ cell found
In the ovary and testes
What is the name for neoplasms derived from germ cells
Teratomas
How do teratomas differentiate and are they benign or malignants
Along more than one germ cell line
Teratomas can be benign or malignant
Describe the macroscopic appearance of a benign and a malignant neoplasm
Benign - well-defined outline, smooth surface
Malignant - Irregular or ill-defined outline, craggy surface
Describe the microscopic margin of benign and malignant neoplasms
Benign - Blunt, pushing
Malignant - Infiltrative, Invasive
Describe the nucleus:cytoplasm ratio of benign and malignant neoplasms
Benign - Usually normal
Malignant - Often high
Describe the nucleus pleomorphism of benign and malignant neoplasms
Benign - uncommon
Malignant - common
Describe the necrosis of benign and malignant neoplasms
Benign - Very uncommon
Malignant - Often present
Describe the mitotic rate of benign and malignant neoplasms
Benign - Low, normal mitoses
Malignant - Usually high, abnormal mitoses frequent
What is Metastasis
Secondary growth of a neoplasm at one or more locations distant from the primary site, only occurs with malignant neoplasms
How might spread of neoplasms occur
- Lymphatics
- Blood vessels
- Across mesothelial-lined cavities
- Through cerebrospinal fluid
Name as many mechanisms of invasion and metastasis as you can
- Detachment of tumour cells from each other
- Attachment of ECM via specific receptors
- Locomotion through the ECM via secretion of motility factors
- Vascular intravasation
- Interaction of tumour cells with host lymphocytes
- Formation of tumour embolus
- Adhesion to endothelium at a distant site via adhesion molecules
Describe the patterns of metastasis for carcinomas
Via lymphatics (early) -> lymph nodes
Via bloodstream (late) -> liver and lungs
Describe the patterns of metastasis for sarcomas
Via bloodstream (early) -> lungs
What other organs can bony metastasis affect
- Prostate
- Lung
- Thyroid
- Kidney
- Breast
Why is anaemia common in cancer patients
- haemorrhage from the neoplasm
- decreased life span or erythrocytes
- replacement of bone marrow by metastatic tumour
- autoantibodies against red cells
What are the symptoms of cancer cachexia
- Weight loss
- Anorexia
- Fever
- Weakness
What does cancer cachexia probably result from
Cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1, IF-gamma) secreted by the tumour or reactive host cells
Why do patients die from cancer
- Widespread disease in multiple organ sites
- Metastatic disease in vital sites
- Immunosuppression -> opportunistic infections
- Organ failure
- Haemorrhage
- Late second malignancies
