Unit 5 Flashcards
describe the life cycle of different cell types
erythrocytes = 120 days
wbc: a few days
neurons: many years
epithelial cells= few hours
differentiated vs undifferentiated
differentiated: cells are specialized according to a specific function, new cells acquire structure and function of cells they replace. highly differntiated cells cannot reproduce (ie neurons)
undifferentiated: less specialized
anaplasia
loss of differtiation of cells
irreversable alterations in adult cells
characterisitic of tumour cells
neoplasm and how growth differs from normal cell growth
neoplasm: new formation, tumour
tumour: uncoordinated cell growth
excessive growth deprives other cells, puts pressure on surrounding structures
system for naming tumours
root (tissue type), suffix (malignant or benign)
ie lip(fatty tissue) + oma (benign)
adeno(gland) + carcinoma (malignant epithelial)
fibro(fibrous tissue) + sarcoma (malignant CT)
benign vs malignant tumours
benign: smiliar to normal cells, differentiated, mitosis, slow expansion/mass, encapsulated, localized, rare systemic effects, only life threatening in certain areas (brain)
malignant: varied size, shape, nucleus, undifferentiated, mitosis increased and atypical, rapid growth, cells not adhesive, infiltrate tissue, no capsule, invade nearby tissue, metastasizes to distant sites via lymph and blood, systemic effects, tissue destruction and spread of tumour is life threatening
malignant tumours pathophysiology
expanding mass, compress blood, necrosis and inflammation, potential infection, adjacent tissues also infested with cancer cells
tumours secrete anzymes that breakdown and destroy new cappilaries (angiogenesis)
in situ: tumours remaining pre-invasive
grading: based on differentiation of cells
grade 1: well differntiated, grade 4 undifferentiated completely
early warning signs and risk factors of cancer
warning: bleeding, discharge, bowel/bladder habits change, wart, mole, sore that doesnt heal, unexplained weight loss (cachexia), anemia, fatigue, cough, hoarseness, solid lump
risk factors: heredity, age, chemical and enviro carcinogens, cancer causing viruses/immunologic defects (HIV, papilloma), sun, smoking, diet (natural substances, additives, processing methods)
local vs systemic effects of cancer and tumours
local: pain (bone cancer, reduced space), obstruction (ducts/tubes: colon), tissue necrosis, ulcerations (infection around tumour, ie oral cavity)
systemic: cachexia, anemia, infection, bleeding, paraneoplastic syndrome (substances released affect systems and function)
diagnostic tests for cancer pt
blood tests: low Hb or RBCs
blood tests for tumour markers: hormones, enzymes, antigens
imaging modalities incl. ct and mri
cytologic and histologic tests: definitive, cellular fine needle aspirations, biopsies
methods of spread of malignant tumours
direct invasion, lymphatics and veins (ie tumour enters blood, lodged into capillary elsewhere), seeding/implantation (via fluids, membranes)
tumour classifications via staging method
for breast cancer:
T= tumour size, N= lymph node involvment, M=metastasis
- Stage I:
○ T1: 2 cm or less
○ N0: no lymph nodes involved
○ M0: no metastasis- Stage II:
○ T0 - T2: less than 5 cm
○ N1: nodes involved
○ M0: no metastasis - Stage III:
○ T3: tumor largen than 5 cm
○ N1 or N2: nodes involved
○ M0: no metastasis - Stage IV:
○ T4: any size, fixed to chest wall or skin
○ N3: clavicular nodes involved
○ M1: metastasis
- Stage II:
treatment options
surgery (RF ablation), radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy (add to treatment), nutrition
hormone therapy: prednisone (glucocorticoid to decrease mitosis, increase rbcs, reduce inflamm), estrogen (tumours depend on hormone, slow tumour growth, ie prostate cancer, tamoxifen (block estrogen for breast cancer)
nutrition: not curative, to help malnourishment, treat symptoms, TPN (total parenteral nutrition via IV)
