Tumour Pathology 2 Flashcards
What do cancer cells lose and gain?
Loss of tumour suppressor genes (e.g retinoblastoma)
Gain of function of oncogenes
What are the properties of cancer cells?
Altered cellular function, abnormal morphology, cells capable of independent growth, tumour biomarkers, no single feature is unique to cancer cells.
What happens to the cellular function of cancer cells?
Loss of cell-cell adhesion, altered cell-matrix adhesion, production of tumour-related proteins (tumour biomarkers).
What are examples of groups of tumour biomarkers?
Onco-feto proteins, oncogenes, growth factors and receptors, immune checkpoint inhibitors.
What can tumour biomarkers be used for?
Screening, diagnosis, prognosis, predictive (respond to therapy?).
What are some specific examples of tumour biomarkers and what cancers they are used for?
Alpha-fetoprotein = teratoma of testis, hepatocellular carcinoma
Carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) = colorectal cancer
Oestrogen receptor = breast cancer
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) = prostate cancer
What is the morphology of cancer cells?
Cellular and nuclear pleomorphism (variation in size/shape), mitoses often abnormal.
Why is tumour angiogenesis important?
New blood vessel formation by tumours is important to sustain tumour growth, can also provide route for release of tumour cells into circulation, more blood vessels = poorer prognosis.
Why is apoptosis important?
Regulates tumour growth and involved in response to chemotherapy/radiotherapy.
What are the four modes of cancer spread?
Local spread, lymphatic spread, blood spread, trans–coelomic spread (over cavities).
How does tumour metastasis occur?
Increased matrix degradation by proteolytic enzymes and altered cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion.
How do tumours metastasise via lymphatics?
Adherence of tumour cells to lymph vessels, means can spread via lymphatics and into lymph nodes, formation of metastasis in lymph nodes. Same with blood but in vessels.
What is trans-coelomic spread?
Form of local spread, spreads across body cavities e.g. pleural/peritoneal. Examples are lung, stomach, colon and ovary.
What are common sites of metastasis?
Liver, lung, brain, bones, adrenal glands, omentum
What are uncommon sites of metastasis?
Spleen, kidney, skeletal muscle, heart
