Tumour pathology Flashcards
basic pathological mechanisms
inflammation, circulatory disorders, neoplasia
types of circulatory disorder
thrombosis, embolism, infarction
other word for tumour
neoplasm
what is a tumour
growing mass of tissue that continues growing even after removal of any stimulus that may have caused it and it is an irreversible change. benign or malignant
common types of cancer
prostate, breast, lung, colon, melanoma
malignant tumour of epithelium is known as
carcinoma
malignant tumour of connective tissue is known as
sarcoma
benign prefix for glandular epithelium
aden
benign prefix for squamous
squamous papill
tumours of WBC
no benign, leukaemia
tumours of RBC
none
tumours of lymphoid tissue
no benign, lymphoma
tumours of melanocytes
naevi, melanoma
tumours of neural tissue
many types, find if CNS or PNS, ends in Oma
tumours of germ cell
teratomas. ovarian teratomas usually benign, testicular teratomas usually malignant
features of benign tumour
non invasive growth pattern, usually encapsulated, no metastases, cells similar to normal, function similar to normal, rarely cause death
features of malignant tumours
invasive growth pattern, no capsule or breached capsule, abnormal cells, loss of normal function, often evidence of spread, frequently cause death
properties of cancer cells (5)
loss of tumour suppressor genes, gain of function of oncogenes, altered cellular function, abnormal morphology, capable of independent growth
change in cell function in cancer cells (3)
loss of cell to cell adhesion, altered cell to matrix adhesion, production of tumour related proteins- tumour biomarkers
tumour biomarkers
properties of cancer cells that can be exploited clinically eg Onco fatal proteins, oncogenes, growth factors and receptors
clinical utility of tumour biomarkers
screening, diagnosis, prognostic, predictive- identifying patients who will respond to a particular therapy
morphology of cancer cells
cellular and nuclear pleomorphism, abnormal mitoses, marked variation in size and shape
what causes tumour growth
balance between angiogenesis, and apoptosis
angiogenesis
new blood vessel formation by tumours, required to sustain growth, more blood vessels in tumour means more routes for release into circulation which means poorer prognosis
modes of spread of cancer
local, lymphatic, blood, trans-coelomic (body cavities)
tumour metastasis via lymphatics
adherence of tumour cells to lymph vessels from connective tissue, invasion from lymphatics, invasion into lymph node, formation of metastasis in lymph node, clinical evidence of metastasis
tumour metastasis via blood
adherence of tumour cells to blood vessels from connective tissue, invasion from blood vessel, invasion into tissue, formation of metastasis, clinical evidence of metastasis
common sites of metastasis
liver (colorectal), lung, brain, bone (breast and prostate), adrenal gland, omentum/peritoneum (ovary)
local effects of malignant tumours
pressure, obstruction, tissue destruction- ulceration/infection,
bleeding- anaemia/ haemorrhage, pain- pressure on nerves, pathological fractures, perineurial infiltration,
effects of treatment
systemic effects of malignant cancer
weight loss, secretion of hormones (more from endocrine gland or abnormal which is secretion from non endocrine gland), paraneoplastic syndromes, effects of treatment
paraneoplastic syndromes
cannot be explained by metastatic or local effects of tumours- neuropathy and myopathy
dysplasia
pre malignant change, earliest stage of malignancy that can be visualised, identified In epithelium, no invasion. abnormal mitoses, increased nuclear size, no invasion though
which biomarker used for monitor of colorectal cancer
carcinoembryonic antigen
which biomarker used for monitor of testicular cancer
alpha feto protein
which biomarker used for monitor of breast cancer
oestrogen receptor
which biomarker used for monitor of prostate cancer
prostate specific antigen
which biomarker used for monitor of breast and gastric cancer
HER2
how are tumours spread
penetration of extracellular matrix so cancer cells can move into blood stream or lymphatic system
epithelial mesenchyme transition (EMT)
conversion of closely connected epithelial cells becoming independent mesenchymal cells with the ability to move and invade their local environment. reversible process
stages of metastasis
invasion, intravasation, transport, extravasation, colonisation
angiogenic inducers
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)= A-D and placental growth factors. signals transmitted via VEGF receptors 1-3
angiogenic inhibitors
angiostatin, endostatin
