Tumour pathology Flashcards
What is a tumour?
Abnormal growing mass of tissue that growth is uncoordinated with the surrounding tissue
What are important factors in the causation of tumours?
Genetic and environmental
What are benign and malignant glandular tumours called?
Benign= adenoma Malignant= adenocarcinoma
What are benign and malignant squamous tumours called?
Benign= squamous papilloma Malignant= squamous carcinoma
What are benign and malignant bone tumours called?
Benign= osteoma Malignant= osteosarcoma
What are benign and malignant fat tumours called?
Benign= lipoma Malignant= liposarcoma
What are benign and malignant fibrous tissue tumours called?
Benign= fibroma Malignant= fibrosarcoma
What are tumours of the central nervous system called?
Astrocytoma
What are tumours of the peripheral nervous system called?
Schwannoma
Why can tumours of the neural tissue not spread?
They are in a confined, fixed space
What are germ cell tumours called, and which are usually benign and malignant?
Ovarian teratoma, usually benign
Testicular teratoma, usually malignant
What is the growth pattern of benign and malignant tumours?
Benign= non invasive Malignant= invasive
What is the difference in cell structure between benign and malignant tumours?
Benign= cells 'look' normal, well differentiated, function similar to normal Malignant= abnormal cell shape and size, poorly differentiated, loss of normal function
What are the properties of cancer cells?
Altered genetics
Altered cell function
Abnormal morphology
Capable of independent growth
What are the altered genetics in cancer cells?
Loff od tumour suppressor genes
Gain of oncogenes/ loss of protooncogenes
What are the altered cell functions present in cancer cells?
Increased amount of tumour related proteins
Loss of cell adhesion
What can tumour related proteins be used for?
Exploited in diagnosis and treatment
What is the issue with loss of adhesion of cancer cells?
Allows for movement, resting to metastasis
What are the tumour related proteins?
Onco-foetal proteins
Oncogenes
Growth factors and receptors
Describe the classification and clinical uses of alpha-fetoprotein
Onco-foetal
Monitoring of teratoma of testes
Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Describe the classification and clinical uses of carcino-embryonic antigens
Onco-foetal
Monitoring colorectal cancer
Describe the clinical uses of oestrogen receptors
Predictive biomarker
Describe the clinical uses of prostate specific antigen
Diagnose and monitor prostate cancer
Describe the classification and clinical uses of Kras
Oncogene
Predictive- specific drug would work on someone presenting with Kras
Describe the classification and clinical uses of EGFR
Growth receptor
Certain drugs can target the receptor
Describe the classification and clinical uses of HER2
Growth receptor
Used in treatment of breast and gastric cancer
What does a mutation in the BRAF gene cause?
Melanoma
What is angiogenesis?
New vessel formation by tumours
What is the link between angiogenesis and prognosis?
More angiogenesis= worse prognosis
