Tumors (Neoplasm & Growth Disorders)

Question 1

Define neoplasm

Answer 1

“New growth”

An abnormal mass of cells produced by excessive growth of new tissue

Question 2

What metabolic change signals neoplasia?

Answer 2

None. There is no single marker for neoplasia. It is usually a multi-generational and multi-event process.

Cellular changes over time result in increasingly deviant tissue

Question 3

Define tumor

Answer 3

A swelling. Commonly used in reference to neoplasms.

Question 4

What are 8 major characteristics of a benign tumor?

Answer 4

• do not invade tissue (they compress or displace nearby tissue)
• tend to have capsule or defined edges
• self limiting growth patterns
• grow slowly
• not likely to metastasize
• well differentiated (similar to parent tissue)
• excise is curative (cutting it out fixes the problem)
• no not endanger host

Question 5

What are (5) characteristics or malignant tumors?

Answer 5

• likely to metastasize
• poorly differentiated (very different from parent tissue)
• cellular atypia
• abundant mitoses
• non-encapsulated with irregular margins

Question 6

What is cellular atypia?

Answer 6

Pleomorhism (variations in size, shape, etc)

Enlarged nuclei

Excessive nuceloi

Atypical chromosomes

Question 7

Why can malignant tumors result in necrosis and/or hemorrhage?

Answer 7

They can outgrow or choke off their blood supply, there by developing areas of infarction.

Question 8

What is the difference between malignant and metastatic?

Answer 8

Malignant tumors are growing rapidly and are likely to metastasize

Metastasized tumors are tumors in more than one body area or system - a secondary tumor, that has broken off and spread from a primary tumor.

Question 9

What are some examples of non-neoplastic alterations of cell growth?

Answer 9

Anatomic anomalies 
Unexpected calcification 
Hyperplasia 
Metaplasia 
Regeneration

Question 10

What is tumor immortality?

Answer 10

A tumor that survives and reproduces as long as it’s host lives.

Question 11

How can tumors be immortal?

Answer 11

Tumor cells have increased capacity for reproduction, and improved preservation of telomeres.

Question 12

Define monoclonal origin

Answer 12

A tumor arising from a single cell

Question 13

Tumors consist of what (2) types of tissue?

Answer 13

• transformed (neoplastic) tissue

- normal connective tissue that has been recruited to support the tumor (like blood vessels and connective tissue)

Question 14

The suffix “oma” generally identifies what kind of tumor?

Answer 14

A benign tumor - such as a lipoma or epithelioma

Question 15

What are the (2) types of malignant tumors, and what do they describe?

Answer 15

Carcinoma:

• Tumors of epithelial and glandular tissues
• Includes organ cancers
• More common in adults
• Irregular and infiltrating

Sarcoma

• Tumor of mesenchymal (supportive) tissue
• More common in young people (>15yrs)
• Large, irregular growths
• More likely to metastasize, hemorrhage, and have necrosis

Question 16

What are (2) tumors containing more than one tissue type?

Answer 16

Teratoma

Mixed tumors

Question 17

What is a teratoma?

Answer 17

A tumor containing multiple tissue types - usually from all three germinal layers (endo-, meso-, and etco-dermic)

Question 18

Where are teratomas most commonly found?

Answer 18

Gonads - especially ovaries

Question 19

What is the defining feature of a teratoma?

Answer 19

Mixed tissues inside, often including things like hair and teeth. Could be a “parasitic twin” or a dermoid cyst.

Question 20

What distinguishes mixed tumors from teratomas?

Answer 20

Mixed tumors have multiple tissue types that were all derived from the SAME germinal layer —> originating cells are pluripotent, but not totipotent.

Question 21

What/where is leukemia?

Answer 21

Malignant tumor of leukocytes, usually beginning in the marrow.

Question 22

What/where is lymphoma?

Answer 22

Malignant tumor containing lymphocytes, macrophages, etc. originating in the lymph nodes.

Question 23

What/where is multiple myeloma?

Answer 23

Malignant tumor of plasma cells resulting in production of abnormal antibodies. Affecting marrow, bone, and soft tissue.

Question 24

What/where is melanoma?

Answer 24

Malignant tumor of melanocytes in the skin