PP: Neoplasia Flashcards
Define neoplasia.
An abnormal growth of cells that persists after the initial stimulus is removed.
Define dysplasia.
A pre-neoplasticism alteration in cells which show disordered tissue organisation.
Why is dysplasia not the same as neoplasia?
Dysplasia is reversible.
Define cancer.
Any malignant neoplasm
Define metastasis.
A malignant neoplasm that has spread from its original site to a new non-contiguous site.
Define anaplasia.
Cells with no resemblance to any tissue.
Define pleomorphism.
Increasing variation in size and shape of cells and nuclei.
Define progression.
Accumulation of more mutations leading to a neoplasm.
Define monoclonal population.
When all cells have come from the same founding cells.
Define hyperchromasia.
Increased nuclear staining
Describe the macroscopic features of a benign tumour.
They grow in confined local areas and so have a pushing outer margin.
Describe the macroscopic features of a malignant tumour.
- Irregular outer margin
- May show areas of necrosis
- May show areas of ulceration
Describe the microscopic features of a benign tumour. (Differentiation and grade)
- Well differentiated
- Often grade 1 (tubules present, no mitosis or nuclear pleomorphism)
Describe the microscopic features of a malignant tumour. (Differentiation and grade)
- range from well to poorly differentiated
- Grade 3 when poorly differentiated (no tubules present, mitoses and nuclear pleomorphism present)
What is the difference between in-situ and invasive malignancy?
In-situ doesn’t breach the epithelial basement membrane, whereas invasive does penetrate.
Describe clonality of neoplasm.
They are monoclonal and result fro, a combination of initiators, promotors and progression.
Describe the role of proto-oncogenes within neoplasia.
Proto-oncogenes become abnormally activated (meaning they are then called oncogenes) favouring neoplasm formation.
Describe the role of tumour suppressor genes within neoplasia.
These genes usually suppress neoplasm formation, however in states of neoplasia these become inactivated.
What is meant by adenoma?
Benign glandular tumour
What is meant by papilloma?
Benign tumour with finger like projections
What is meant by carcinoma?
Epithelial malignant neoplasm
What is meant by sarcoma?
Stromal malignant neoplasm
What is meant by gliomas?
Malignant brain neoplasm (yes I realise this doesn’t fit the rule, and no this is not a mistake)
What is meant by lymphomas?
Malignant neoplasms of lymphocytes
What is meant by germ cell tumours?
Arising from pluripotent cells, they mainly affect the testis or ovaries.
What is meant by neuroendocrine tumours?
neoplasms that arise from cells of the endocrine (hormonal) and nervous systems. Many are benign, while some are malignant.
What is meant by blastoma?
A blastoma is a type of cancer, more common in children, that is caused by malignancies in precursor cells, often called blasts
Describe the process that leads to metastasis.
- Grow and invade at the primary site
- Enter a transport system and lodge at a secondary site
- Grow at the secondary site to form a new tumour (colonisation)
Name the alterations needed for invasion.
- Alteration in adhesions
- Alteration in proteolysis
- Alteration in motility
What determines the site of a metastasis?
- Regional drainage of blood, lymph and coelomic fluid
- Seed and soil phenomenon
Describe the routes and common sites of a metastasis. Comment on lymphatics, blood and coelomic.
Lymphatics: drainage to lymph nodes
Blood: often the next capillary bed
Coelomic: other areas in the coelomic space or adjacent organs.
List the common sites for blood-borne metastasis.
- Lung
- Bone
- Liver
- Brain
List the neoplasms which most frequently spread to bone.
- Breast
- Bronchus
- Kidney
- Thyroid
- Prostate
Describe the local effects of neoplasms.
- Direct invasion and destruction of normal tissue
- Ulceration leading to bleeding
- Compression of adjacent structures
- Blocking tubs and orifices
Describe the general systemic effects of neoplasms.
- Cachexia (reduced appetite and weight loss)
- malaise
- immunosupression
- fever
- finger clubbing
- hypercalcaemia
What adhesions are involved in malignant cells?
E-Cadherin between cells, intergrin between cells and the stromal proteins
