topic 4.2

Question 1

identify the three mechanisms of how tumours spread

Answer 1

1. invasion
2. metastasis
3. seeding

Question 1

true or false: tumours that have spread and created secondary tumours consist of the same cells as the original/primary tumour?

Answer 1

true

Question 2

explain what happens during the invasion stage of cancerous spread

Answer 2

• the tumours ability to grow into adjacent tissue, destroy local normal cells and break basement membrane to invade other structures presents
• use enzymes to facilitate invasion

Question 3

explain what happens during the metastasis stage of cancerous spread

Answer 3

1. primary tumour has invaded local tissue and broken through the basement membrane of the tissue it resides in
2. first means of spread usually through lymph into sentinel lymph node

Question 4

explain what happens during the seeding stage of cancerous spread

Answer 4

it is the spread of tumour cells in body cavity fluid and membranes (e.g. pleura, peritoneum)

Question 5

what general classification system is used to stage cancer?

Answer 5

the TNM system

Question 6

what does the TNM system stand for?

Answer 6

T - tumour size
N - involvement of lymph nodes
M - extent of metastasis

Question 7

what value is meant by T1, T2 and T3 (respectively)

Answer 7

T1 - tumour size <2cm
T2 - tumour size 2-5cm
T3 - tumour size >5cm

Question 8

what does stage 1 cancer mean?

Answer 8

there is only 1 tumour and it is confined to the tissue of an organ

Question 9

what does stage 2 cancer mean?

Answer 9

the tumour is locally invasive

Question 10

what does stage 3 cancer mean?

Answer 10

the tumour has spread to regional structures such as lymph nodes

Question 11

what does stage 4 cancer mean?

Answer 11

the tumour has metastasised to distant sites

Question 12

true or false: one diagnostic test is 100% reliable for diagnosing cancer?

Answer 12

false, one diagnostic test is not 100% reliable on its own

Question 13

what result from a blood test would be a general sign of cancer?

Answer 13

low haemoglobin and erythrocyte levels

Question 14

what are the three types of biopsy used to test for cancer?

Answer 14

1. needle biopsy
2. scope biopsy
3. surgical biopsy

Question 15

how does immunotherapy act against cancer?

Answer 15

immunotherapy stipulates patient’s immune system to attack the cancer

Question 16

what are the two classifications for chemotherapy?

Answer 16

1. cell cycle phase-specific
2. cell cycle phase non-specific

Question 17

explain alkylating agents in chemotherapy?

Answer 17

they are able to kill cells in any phase of the cell cycle

Question 18

explain antimetabolites in chemotherapy?

Answer 18

mainly work by interfering with normal synthesis of nucleic acids to inhibit the critical enzymes involved in nucleic acid synthesis - also affecting DNA, RNA and protein synthesis

Question 19

explain how anti tumour antibiotics in chemotherapy work?

Answer 19

they damage the cell by interfering with the synthesis of DNA or RNA

Question 20

explain how plant/vinca alkaloids and taxanes in chemotherapy work?

Answer 20

they affect the cell in the mitotic portion of the cell cycle and case metaphase arrest