Tumour Pathology 2

Question 1

How can altered genes lead to tumour development?

Answer 1

Loss of tumour suppressor genes and gain of function of oncogenes

Question 2

What alterations of cellular function can be indicative of cancer?

Answer 2

Tumour biomarkers can be present (typically proteins) and loss of cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix adhesion

Question 3

The presence of some onco-foetal proteins can be indicative of certain kinds of cancers in adults; give an example

Answer 3

alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) can be indicative of certain testicular teratomas and hepatocellular carcinomas

Question 4

Colorectal cancer can be hinted to by which biomarker?

Answer 4

Carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA)

Question 5

Kras is a clinical biomarker for what cancer?

Answer 5

Colorectal cancer

Question 6

EGFR is a clinical biomarker for what cancer?

Answer 6

Lung cancer

Question 7

Her2 is a clinical biomarker for what cancer?

Answer 7

Breast and gastric cancer

Question 8

B-raf is a clinical biomarker for what cancer?

Answer 8

Melanoma

Question 9

What are the properties of cancer cells?

Answer 9

Altered genetics, abnormal morphology, capable of independent growth

Question 10

Tumour growth is a balance of what two processes?

Answer 10

Apoptosis and angiogenesis

Question 11

Angiogenesis in tumours can lead to metastasis how?

Answer 11

Development of new blood vessels gives routes into the circulation - the more extensive the angiogenesis in a tumour the poorer the prognosis

Question 12

Invasion and metastasis requires two natural processes to be altered - which two?

Answer 12

Matrix degeneration by proteolytic enzymes and altered cell-to-cell/cell-to-matrix adhesion

Question 13

What four modes of spread are there in cancer?

Answer 13

1. Local
2. Lymphatic
3. Blood
4. Trans-Coelomic

Question 14

What is the mechanism of spread in four steps from formation of primary tumour to formation of secondary?

Answer 14

1. Formation of primary tumour
2. Cancerous cells adhere to new surface
3. Invasion of tissue
4. Metastasis (formation of secondary tumour)

Question 15

What is trans-coelomic spread? What cancers does it indicate?

Answer 15

Type of local spread across cavity linings - lung, stomach, colon and ovarian cancer show this

Question 16

Prognosis of cancer is largely dependent on what?

Answer 16

Extent of metastasis

Question 17

Site of metastasis is related to blood flow. True/false?

Answer 17

False - dependent on both tumour and tissue related factors

Question 18

List some common sites of metastasis

Answer 18

Liver, lung, brain, axial skeleton etc.

Question 19

Uncommon sites of metastasis include what?

Answer 19

Spleen, kidney, skeletal muscle and heart

Question 20

Breast, prostate and colorectal cancer all have common metastasis sites - what are they?

Answer 20

• Breast goes to bone
• Prostate goes to bone
• Colorectal goes to liver