Pathology Week 8 E

Question 1

Define Tumour

Answer 1

An abnormal growth of tissue resulting from uncontrolled, progressive multiplication of cells and serving no physiological function

Question 2

Define neoplasm

Answer 2

Is an abnormal mass of cells that exhibits uncontrolled proliferation and that persist after cessation of the stimulus that produced it

Question 3

Define Cancer

Answer 3

An uncontrolled proliferation of the cells that express varying degrees of fidelity to their precursor

Question 4

What are parenchyma?

Answer 4

The actual tumour themselves

They reflect the growth pattern and synthetic activity of the parent cell

Question 5

What is stroma?

Answer 5

The connective tissue framework which surrounds and supports the parenchymal cells. Stroma also contains blood vessels.

Question 6

What are the 2 functions of stroma?

Answer 6

Mechanical: support for the parenchymal cells

Nutritional: for the parenchymal cells via the blood vessels that are also components of the stroma.

Question 7

To what size can tumours grow until they need their own blood supply?

Answer 7

1-2mm

Question 8

What is a desmoplastic reaction?

Answer 8

The process via which growth factors released by the neoplasm stimulate the proliferation of local connective tissue cells

Question 9

What is angiogenesis?

Answer 9

The process via which growth factors released by the neoplasm stimulate the growth of capillaries from local blood vessels

Question 10

What is characteristic of scirrhous tumours?

Answer 10

Lots of connective tissue

Very hard

Question 11

What is characteristic of medullary tumours

Answer 11

Little connective tissue

Soft and fleshy

Question 12

What shapes can tumours take?

Answer 12

Sessile

Pedunculated

Papillary

Fungating

Ulcerated

Annular

Question 13

What are the 3 ways that tumours can be classified?

Answer 13

Biological behaviour-how much harm do they cause?

Histogenetic characteristics-from what cell type did they arise?

Degree of differentiation-how closely do they resemble the mature parent cell?

Question 14

What are the characteristics of benign tumours?

Answer 14

Non Invasive

Slow growth

Histological similar to parent cell

Encapsulated (when growing within solid organs)

Exophytic growth (when growing on surfaces)

Low morbidity

Question 15

What problems can benign tumours cause?

Answer 15

Pressure on adjacent tissues

Obstruction to the flow of fluids

Hormone production

Anxiety

Question 16

What are the characteristics of malignant tumours?

Answer 16

Invasive (local and distant spread)

Rapid growth

Variable histological similarity to parent cell

Poorly circumscribed

Central necrosis

Endophytic growth

High morbidity & mortality

Question 17

What problems can malignant tumours cause?

Answer 17

Pressure on adjacent tissues and organs

Invasion, replacement and destruction of adjacent tissues

Metastasis

Haemorrhage from ulcers etc

Obstruction to flow of air/liquids

Hormone production (ADH, ACTH)

Cachexia other paraneoplastic effects

Anxiety and pain

Thromboembolism

Question 18

Define differentiation

Answer 18

Differentiation refers to the extent to which neoplastic cells resemble comparable normal cells, both morphologically and functionally

Question 19

What are the 4 degrees of differentiation?

Answer 19

Well

Moderate

Poorly

Anaplastic

Question 20

Define anaplasia

Answer 20

Anaplasia is defined as a lack of differentiation

Anaplastic cells have a primitive (embryonic) appearance

Question 21

What are the characteristics of anapaestic cells?

Answer 21

Pleomorphism (variation in cell size & shape)

Abnormal nuclear morphology (e.g. hyperchromatic, i.e. dark)

Large number of mitoses

Loss of polarity (growth in a disorganised fashion)

Question 22

A lower graded neoplasm means what?

Answer 22

A higher degree of differentiation= better biologic behaviour

Question 23

A higher graded neoplasm means what?

Answer 23

A lesser degree of differentiation= consequently a worse biologic behaviour

Question 24

What is the suffix for benign tumours?

Answer 24

‘oma’

Question 25

What is the suffix for malignant tumours?

Answer 25

‘carcinoma’‘sarcoma’

Question 26

What is invasion

Answer 26

The tumour growth is accomplished by progressive infiltration, invasion and destruction of the surrounding tissues. It is poorly demarcated from the normal tissue. The cells are able to penetrate across tissues regardless of anatomical barriers

Question 27

What factors facilitate local invasion of tumours?

Answer 27

Increased cell motility

Proteolytic enzymes

Decreased cellular adhesion

Question 28

Define metastasis

Answer 28

Metastasis is the active process by which tumour cells move from the primary location by severing connections from the original cell group and establishing remote colonies

Question 29

What are the characteristics of neoplastic cells?

Answer 29

Reduced growth regulation

Independent of growth factors

Anchorage independence

Maturation failure

Immortality

Reduced cohesiveness

Question 30

Define cachexia

Answer 30

General ill health with emaciation (wasting), usually occurring in association with cancer or a chronic infectious disease

Question 31

Cachexia clinical manifestations?

Answer 31

Generalised weakness

Fever

Wasting

Anorexia

Pallor

Question 32

Define paraneoplastic syndrome

Answer 32

Non metastatic, systemic effects that accompany malignant disease

Question 33

poos?

Answer 33

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