Section 1

Question 0

Genetic mutations

Answer 0

• a few cancers are inherited (caused by mutant gene)
  
  • there is a familial predisposition to developing certain types of cancers
• most cancers develop their genetic mutations after birth (caused by exposure to harmful substances often called carcinogens)

Question 1

Neoplasia

Answer 1

• Neoplasm means “ new growth”
• A new growth may be cancerous (malignant) or benign (nonmalignant)
  
  • benign tumor’s are well differentiated but have lost their ability to control replication
• at cell level cancer genetic
• all cancers involve malfunction of the genes that control
  - reproduction
  - growth
  - differentiation
  - death

Question 2

mutator gene

Answer 2

• repair mutated DNA

Question 3

oncogenes

Answer 3

• cause cancer; they regulate and alter cellular proliferation and differentiation if activated

Question 4

Tumor suppressor gene

Answer 4

Stops overproliferation or overgrowth of cells

Question 5

Metastases

Answer 5

• Breaking through the basement membrane and extracellular matrix
• gaining access and circulating with the blood vessels or limp system
• leaving the blood vessels or limp system at distance sites
• establishing a new nutrient network

Question 6

Staging

Answer 6

• classification of extent or spread of the disease from the site of origin
• The higher the number the worse the disease
• stage I would be local and stage IV would be metastatic

Question 7

Grading

Answer 7

• tumor grading is the process of differentiating the level of anaplasia specificity depicted by the tumor
• tumors are graded from I (highly differentiated) to IV (highly undifferentiated)
• carcinoma in situ is pre-invasive has not broken through basement membranes of the epithelium

Question 8

cachexia

Answer 8

• Weight loss and tissue wasting
• often seen with terminal illness
• early feelings of fullness with taste alterations
• caused at partially by tissue necrosis factor (cachectin)

Question 9

Cachexia other signs and symptoms

Answer 9

• fever
  
  • pyrogens which cause fever may be released from cancer cells
• Lymphadenopathy
  
  • enlarged lymph nodes maybe nontender
• anorexia
  
  • loss of appetite
• localize signs and symptoms
  
  • cough and shortness of breath with long cancer
  • constipation and melena with colon cancer

Question 10

Paraneoplastic syndromes

Answer 10

• hormonal, neurological, hematological, and chemical disturbances in the body not directly related to invasion by cancer
• ex = some tumors secrete antidiuretic hormone

Question 11

Tumor markers

Answer 11

• substances in the cell or body fluids that can provide clues to the presence, extent, and treatment response of certain neoplasms
• ex = prostate specific antigen (PSA)

Question 12

Diagnostic tests

Answer 12

• imaging studies:
  
  • CT (computer tomography)
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
  • ultrasound
  • direct visualization through Endoscopic examination
• biopsy and Cytology studies
• tumor markers and other blood, urine, or tissue tests

Question 13

Cancer treatment

Answer 13

• completely eradicate the cancer
• Control continued growth and spread
• reduce signs and symptoms
  
  • surgery
  • chemotherapy
  • radiation
  • hormones
  • immunotherapy