Tumour Pathology 2

Question 1

What are the 4 noticeable properties of cancer cells?

Answer 1

Altered genetics
Altered cellular function
Abnormal morphology
Cells capable of independent growth

Question 2

What 3 things can happen to cellular function in tumour cells?

Answer 2

Loss of cell-to-cell adhesion
Altered cell-to-matrix adhesion
Production of tumour related proteins

Question 3

What is the name for tumour related proteins?

Answer 3

Tumour biomarkers

Question 4

Name the 3 types of tumour biomarkers.

Answer 4

Onco-fetal proteins
Oncogenes
Growth factors/receptors

Question 5

What are the 4 things tumour biomarkers can be used to check?

Answer 5

Screening
Diagnosis
Prognostic
Predictive

Question 6

What is the use of alpha-fetoprotein?

Answer 6

Acts like albumin and an onco-fetal biomarker for teratoma of testis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Question 7

What is the use of carcinoembryonic antigen?

Answer 7

Onco-fetal and detect recurrent disease (colorectal cancer)

Question 8

What is the use of oestrogen receptors?

Answer 8

Used as a predictive biomarker.

Question 9

What is the use of prostate specific antigen?

Answer 9

Helps with diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer.

Question 10

What biomarker can be used for prediction in colorectal cancer?

Answer 10

Kras

Question 11

What biomarker can be used for prediction in lung cancer?

Answer 11

EGFR

Question 12

What biomarker can be used for prediction in breast/gastric cancer?

Answer 12

Her2

Question 13

What biomarker can be used for prediction in melanoma?

Answer 13

Braf

Question 14

What is pleomorphism?

Answer 14

Marked variation in shape and size.

Question 15

What is the appearance of cancer cells?

Answer 15

Mitoses present and often abnormal.

Question 16

Define tumour growth.

Answer 16

A balance between angiogenesis and apoptosis.

Question 17

What is the process of tumour angiogenesis?

Answer 17

New blood vessels are formed which are required for tumour growth. Allows tumour to be released into circulation.

Question 18

What would more blood vessels in a tumour cause for prognosis?

Answer 18

Poorer prognosis.

Question 19

Define apoptosis.

Answer 19

Programmed cell death.

Question 20

What does apoptosis regulate in tumours?

Answer 20

Growth

Question 21

What is apoptosis involved in?

Answer 21

Chemo/radiotherapy

Question 22

What happens during metastasis?

Answer 22

Matrix degradation by enzymes increases and cell-to-cell adhesion is altered.

Question 23

What are the 4 modes of spread of cancer?

Answer 23

Local
Lymphatic
Blood
Transcoelomic

Question 24

What is the 5 step process of tumour metastasis via lymphatics?

Answer 24

Adherence to lymph vessels
Invasion from lymphatics
Invasion into lymph node
Formation of metastasis
Clinical evidence (tumour must be greater than 5mm)

Question 25

What is the 5 step process of tumour metastasis via blood?

Answer 25

Adherence to blood vessels
Invasion from blood vessels
Invasion into tissue
Formation of metastasis
Clinical evidence

Question 26

What is transcoelomic spread?

Answer 26

Spread of tumour cells across the body cavities.

Question 27

Lungs covered by ______ and abdomen covered by ______.

Answer 27

Pleural, periotoneal

Question 28

What are the 5 most common sites of metastasis?

Answer 28

Liver
Lung
Brain
Axial skeleton
Adrenal gland

Question 29

What are the 4 uncommon sites of metastasis?

Answer 29

Spleen
Kidney
Skeletal muscle
Heart

Question 30

What three cancers commonly metastasise?

Answer 30

Breast
Prostate
Colorectal