Tumour pathology

Question 1

What is a tumour ?

Answer 1

A tumour (neoplasm) is an abnormal growing mass of tissue. Its growth continues after the removal of any stimulus which may have caused the tumour.

Question 2

What are the types of tumour ?

Answer 2

Benign

Malignant

Question 3

What are the fundamental properties of a malignant tumour ?

Answer 3

Invasion

Metastasis

Question 4

What are epithelial malignant tumours called ?

Answer 4

Carcinomas

Question 5

What are connective tissue malignant tumours called ?

Answer 5

Sarcomas

Question 6

What is leukaemia the cancer of ?

Answer 6

WBCs

Question 7

Give an example of tumours in the CNS and ANS

Answer 7

CNS - astrocytoma

PNS - schwannoma

Question 8

What are teratomas the cancer of ?

Answer 8

Germ cells

Question 9

What are ovarian teratomas usually ?

What are testicular teratomas usually ?

Answer 9

Benign

Malignant.

Question 10

What are the features of a benign tumour ? (6)

Answer 10

Usually encapsulated
No evidence of invasion
No metastatsis
Well differentiated
Function is similar to normal tissue 
Rarely causes death

Question 11

What are the features of a malignant tumour ? (6)

Answer 11

Invasive growth pattern 
No capsule, or the capsule is breached by tumour cells 
Evidence of metastasis
Poorly differentiated
Loss of normal function
Frequently causes death

Question 12

Name the categories of tumour biomarkers

Answer 12

Onco-fetal proteins
Onco genes
Growth factors and receptors

Question 13

Name the benign and malignant tumours of glandular epithelium

Answer 13

Benign : adenoma

Malignant : adeno - carcinoma

Question 14

Name the benign and malignant tumours of squamous epithelium

Answer 14

Benign : squamous papilloma

Malignant : squamous - carcinoma

Question 15

Name the benign and malignant tumours of bone tissue

Answer 15

Benign : osteoma

Malignant : osteo - sarcoma

Question 16

Name the benign and malignant tumours of fat tissue

Answer 16

Benign : lipoma

Malignant : lipo - sarcoma

Question 17

Name the benign and malignant tumours of fibrous tissue

Answer 17

Benign : fibroma

Malignant : fibro - sarcoma

Question 18

List the properties of cancer cells

Answer 18

Altered Genetics
        - Loss of tumour suppressor genes
        - Gain of function of oncogenes
Altered Cellular Function
	-Tumour-related proteins
Abnormal structure
Cells capable of independent growth

Question 19

What are tumour biomarkers used in ?

Answer 19

Screening
Diagnosis
Prognostic treatment
Predictive treatment

Question 20

Explain tumour angiogenesis

Answer 20

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels. As a tumour grows it needs more and more nutrients. After a certain size, it cant gain enough through diffusion from the surrounding environment, so new blood vessels form to give it more nutrients. It also gives the tumour a path to metastasis if part of it breaks off. The greater the number of new blood vessels formed, the worse the prognosis

Question 21

What are the modes of spread of cancer. Explain each one.

Answer 21

Local Spread
 - Malignant tumour invades surrounding connective tissue and the invades the lymph/blood vessels
Lymphatic Spread
 - Tumour cells adhere to lymph vessels, penetrate, then pass to the lymph nodes forming a metastasis, which can be used as clinical evidence
Blood Spread
 - Tumour cells invade blood cells and eventually the tissues, before forming a metastasis
Trans-coelomic Spread
 - The spread of tumour cells across body cavities e.g. pleural or peritoneal
 Shown in stomach, ovary, colon and lung tumours.

Question 22

What are the common sites of metastasis ?

Answer 22

Liver
Brain 
Lungs
Bone (axial skeleton)
Adrenal glands

Question 23

Describe the local effects of benign tumours

Answer 23

Pressure

Obstruction

Question 24

Describe the local effects of malignant tumours

Answer 24

Pressure 
Obstruction
Tissue destruction 
   - ulceration/infection
Bleeding
   - Anaemia 
   - Haemorrhage
Pain 
   - Pressure on nerves
   - Perineural infiltration

Question 25

What are the systematic effects of malignant tumours ?

Answer 25

``` Secretion of hormones - normal - abnormal Weight loss Effects of treatment ```

Question 26

Explain what is meant by normal production of hormones by a malignant tumour

Answer 26

The hormone usually produced by the endocrine organ is the one produced, however there is an abnormal amount of production/secretion

Question 27

Explain what is meant by abnormal production of hormones by a malignant tumour

Answer 27

The hormone produced by the endocrine organ is completely different from the one it usually produces

Question 28

What is dysplasia ?

Answer 28

Dysplasia is a pre-malignant change that can be used to indicate the tumour is becoming malignant. It is identified in the epithelium, without invasion.

Question 29

Features of dysplasia

Answer 29

``` Disorganisation of cells - increased nuclear size - increased mitotic activity - abnormal mitoses No invasion ```