Robbins Chapter 7 Flashcards
(79 cards)
What are 4 improper uses of “-oma”? (LMMS)
lymphoma, mesothelioma, melanoma, seminoma
- “-oma” means benign but these are MALIGNANT
What is anaplasia?
complete lack of differentiation (malignant neoplasms composed of poorly differentiated cells)
- IRREVERSIBLE; hallmark of malignancy
What do teratomas originate from?
totipotent germ cells
What are characteristics of a malignant nucleus? (4)
large nucleus (1:1 nucleus:cytoplasm ratio)
variable/irregular nuclear shape
coarsely clumpled chromatin
hyperchromatic (dark staining)
Difference between:
- Well Differentiated
- Moderately Differentiated
- Poorly Differentiated
- Undifferentiated
- looks like parent tissue
- original tissue not dominant pattern, some atypia
- small # of parent features, cellular anaplasia
- tissue of origin CANNOT be discerned, anaplasia
What is Carcinoma In Situ?
pre-invasive neoplasms involving full epithelial thickness but DO NOT penetrate basement membrane
- becomes invasive once it has penetrated BM
Tumor Capsules (Local Invasion) and the one exception
- rim of compressed fibrous tissue seen around benign tumors that separate them from host tissue (malignant have pseudo-capsules)
- created by fibroblasts due to hypoxia from growing tumor pressing on healthy tissue (makes tumor easy to find and feel)
Hemangiomas do NOT have a capsule and are not discrete
What is the only ABSOLUTE criterion for Malignancy?
Metastasis (strongly reduced possibility of cure)
- invasiveness is 2nd best characteristic
What are common pathways of spread for:
- Ovarian Carcinomas
- Breast Cancer
- Carcinomas of the lung
- Direct Seeding into potential space (“heavy glaze”)
- Lymphatic Spread (axillary LNs)
- Lymphatic Spread (perihilar tracheobronchial and mediastinal LNs)
What are the two most common ways carcinomas and sarcomas spread?
Lymphatic Spread –> mainly carcinoma, some sarcoma
Hematogenous Spread –> mainly sarcomas, some carcinomas
What is a Sentinel Node and why is important?
first node in a regional lymphatic basin that receives lymph from from the PRIMARY tumor
- biopsy to detect absence/presence of metastatic lesions
What cancers embolize through the paravertebral plexus?
vertebral carcinomas of prostate and thyroid
What are two cancers that mainly invade veins?
renal cell carcinoma –> to heart
hepatocellular carcinomas
Where do these cancers normally spread to:
- Breast Cancer
- Bronchogenic Carcinomas
- Neuroblastomas
- bone
- adrenals and brain
- liver and bones
What are the 3 most common cancers of Men and Women in developed nations?
Men: prostate, lung, colorectal
Women: breast, lung, colorectal
What are the 3 most common cancers of Men and Women in developing nations?
Men: lung, stomach, liver
Women: breast, cervix, lung
What age range in Men and Women is cancer seen to be the main cause of death in?
Men: 60-79 yo
Women: 40-79 yo
What causes:
- Squamous Metaplasia of the bladder
- Colonic Metaplasia of the stomach
- schistosomiasis infection
2. pernicious anemia and chronic atrophic gastritis
What cancer does exposure to Beryllium, Radon, and Chromium make workers more prone to?
Lung Cancer
B: missles, space fuels, nuclear reactors
R: uranium decay (quarries and mines)
C: metal alloys, pigments, preservatives
What are the two main steps of Chemical Carcinogenesis?
- Initiation - cell exposure to carcinogenic agent
- permanent, nonlethal DNA damage
- highly reactive electrophile (DNA bind/lesions)
- Promotion - induce tumors in initiated cells
- chemical agents that stimulate cell proliferation
- exposes carcinogenic potential of initiator
- *only works on initiated cells**
Direct vs Indirect Initiating Chemicals
Direct: does NOT require metabolic activation
- ex: chemotherapeutic agents (low risk)
In-Direct: requires metabolic activation
- products called “ULTIMATE CARCINOGENS”
- activated by CYP450 normally
Benzo[a]pyrene (Indirect Initiating Chemical) and Aromatic Amines/Azo Dyes
active component in soot (tobacco combustion forms)
- CYP1A1 (highly inducible form) metabolizes
- smoked meats (from animal fat)
Aromatic Amines/Azo Dyes from rubber industries
What is Aflatoxin B1 and what cancer does it cause?
agent produced by Aspergillus that grows on improperly stored grains and nuts
- hepatocellular carcinoma in Africa and Far East
- Arginine –> Serine on Codon 249 (p53 protein mutation; infrequent in liver tumors from areas where this contamination does NOT occur)
UVB and Radiation Carcinogenesis
greatest risk of UV damage to the skin
- produces Pyrimidine dimers that are repaired by Nucleotide Excision Repair
Xeroderma Pigmentosum: defect in NER pathway