tumour pathology Flashcards
what is a tumour (neoplasm)?
abnormal growing mass of tissue, the growth of which is uncoordinated with normal tissue
what will happen to the tumour growth if any stimulus which may have caused the tumour to form is removed?
it will continue
is tumour growth irreversible?
true
what two types of tumour are there?
benign
malignant
what separates malignant (cancer) tumours from benign ones?
malignant tumours have the ability to invade adjacent tissue and to metastasise to other sites within the body
what are the 3 most common cancers for males?
prostate
lung
colon
what are the 3 most common cancers for females?
breast
lung
colon
what are the 3 most common overall cancers?
breast
lung
colon
how are tumours classified?
based on tissue of origin
benign vs malignant
what are the names for benign and malignant glandular tumours?
benign: adenoma
malignant: adenocarcinoma
what are the names for benign and malignant tumours of squamous epithelium?
benign: squamous papilloma
malignant: squamous carcinoma
what are the names for benign and malignant tumours of the bone?
benign: osteoma
malignant: osteosarcoma
what are the names for benign and malignant tumours affecting fat tissue?
benign: lipoma
malignant: lipo-sarcoma
what are the names for benign and malignant tumours affecting fibrous tissue?
benign: fibroma
malignant: fibro-sarcoma
what is the name given to malignant cancer of the blood?
leukaemia
what is the name given to malignant cancer of the lymphoid tissue?
lymphoma
what are the names of tumours of the central and peripheral nervous system
CNS: astrocytoma
PNS: schwannoma
what is the difference between ovarian and testicular teratomas? (germ cell tumours)
ovarian usually benign, testicular usually malignant
what are the features of benign tumours?
non invasive growth pattern usually encapsulated no evidence of invasion no metastases cells similar to normal cells cells function similarly to normal tissues well differentiated
what are the features of malignant tumours?
invasive growth pattern no capsule or capsule breached by tumour cells cells are abnormal poor differentiation loss of normal function evidence of spread of cancer
what are some properties of cancer cells?
altered genetics
altered cellular function
abnormal morphology
cells are capable of independent growth
what are some examples of the altered genetics of cancer cells?
loss of tumour suppressor genes
increased function of oncogenes
what are the examples of altered cellular function of cancer cells?
production of tumour related proteins
loss of cell-cell adhesion
altered cell-matrix adhesion
what are some biomarkers indicative of cancer cells?
onco-fetal proteins
oncogene products
growth factors and receptors
what is alpha-fetoprotein indicative of?
teratoma of testis
hepatocellular carcinoma
what is carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) indicative of?
colon cancer
what is oestrogen receptor indicative of?
breast cancer
what is her2 indicative of?
breast cancer
what is prostate specific antigen indicative of?
prostate cancer
what is the histological appearance of cancer cells?
cellular and nuclear pleomorphism (marked variation in size and shape)
mitoses are present and often abnormal
what are the two processes relating to cell growth and cell death that occur in tumour growth?
angiogenesis
apoptosis
what is the pathology of tumour angiogenesis?
new blood vessel formation by tumours
required to sustain tumour growth
new blood vessels provide a route for release of tumour cells into circulation
the higher the number of blood vessels in a tumour the poorer the prognosis
what is apoptosis and what is its role in tumour pathology?
programmed single cell death
regulates tumour growth
involved in the reponse to chemo/radiotherapy
what is the major clinical problem associated with cancer?
formation of metastatic tumours
what are some modes of cancer spreading?
local spread
lymphatic spread
blood spread
trans-coelomic spread
how would a tumour manage to spread into the blood/lymphatic system?
invasion into the connective tissue is followed by invasion into the lymphatic system/bloodstream
describe the process of tumour metastasis via lymphatics
tumour cells adhere to lymph vessels
tumours invade lymphatic system and then invade lymph nodes
formation of metastasis in lymph node
clinical evidence of metastasis