principles

Question 1

define metaplasia

Answer 1

reversible change in which one adult cell type (usually epithelial) is replaced by another adult cell type; adaptive to change in environment;

Question 2

example of metaplasia

Answer 2

Barrett’s oesophagus

Question 3

define dysplasia

Answer 3

abnormal pattern of growth in which some of the cellular and architectural features of malignancy are present; not invasive (easy to treat effectively)

Question 4

3 features of dysplasia

Answer 4

pre-invasive stage with intact basement membrane, loss of architectural orientation, loss in uniformity of individual cells

Question 5

2 features of nuclei in dysplasia

Answer 5

hyperchromatic (high [DNA]), enlarged (so increased nucleus:cytoplasmic ratio)

Question 6

3 mitotic figures in dysplasia

Answer 6

abundant, abnormal, in places where not usually found

Question 7

6 locations where dysplasia is common, and what causes it

Answer 7

cervix (HPV infection), bronchus (smoking), colon (ulcerative colitis), larynx (smoking), stomach (pernicious anaemia), oesophagus (acid reflux)

Question 8

low grade vs high grade dysplasia

Answer 8

low grade has low risk of progression, and more likely to be reversible; high grade (higher nucleus:cytoplasmic ratio) close to developing invasive cancer, and less likely to be reversible

Question 9

define neoplasm (tumour)

Answer 9

abnormal, autonomous proliferation of cells unresponsive to normal growth control mechanisms

Question 10

location of benign epithelial tumours

Answer 10

on surface epithelium or glandular epithelium

Question 11

what is a papilloma

Answer 11

benign epithelial tumours on surface epithelium e.g. skin, bladder

Question 12

what is an adenoma

Answer 12

benign epithelial tumours on glandular epithelium e.g. stomach, thyroid, colon, kidney, pituitary, pancreas

Question 13

define carcinoma

Answer 13

malignant tumour derived from epithelium

Question 14

4 types of carcinoma

Answer 14

squamous cell, adenocarcinoma, transitional cell, basal cell carcinoma

Question 15

name of benign soft tissue tumour of bone

Answer 15

osteoma

Question 16

define sarcoma

Answer 16

malignant tumour derived from soft connective tissue (mesenchymal) cells

Question 17

name of sarcoma in fat

Answer 17

liposarcoma

Question 18

name of sarcoma in bone

Answer 18

osteosarcoma

Question 19

name of sarcoma in cartilage

Answer 19

chondrosarcoma

Question 20

name of sarcoma in striated muscle

Answer 20

rhabdomyosarcoma

Question 21

name of sarcoma in smooth muscle

Answer 21

leiomyosarcoma

Question 22

name of sarcoma in nerve sheath

Answer 22

malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour

Question 23

2 tumours of white blood cells

Answer 23

leukaemia, lymphoma

Question 24

define leukaemia

Answer 24

malignant tumour of bone marrow derived cells which circulate in blood

Question 25

define lymphoma

Answer 25

malignant tumour of lymphocytes (usually) in lymph nodes

Question 26

define teratoma, and potential

Answer 26

tumour derived from germ cells, which have potential to develop into tumours of all 3 germ cell layers (so can develop into any kind of tissue)

Question 27

what are the 3 germ cell layers

Answer 27

ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm

Question 28

gonadal teratomas in males vs females

Answer 28

in males, all are malignant, but in females, most are benign

Question 29

define hamartoma

Answer 29

localised overgrowth of cells and tissues native to the organ

Question 30

2 features of cells in harmatoma

Answer 30

mature (psychologically normal), but architecturally abnormal

Question 31

in what people are hamartomas common, and when should they stop

Answer 31

common in children, and should stop growing when they do

Question 32

2 examples of hamartomas

Answer 32

bile duct, bronchial