Weeks 1 & 2 Flashcards
Carcinogen
cancer-causing agent, frequently chemical
Any substance or agent that can cause or promote cancer by damaging DNA or causing uncontrolled cell growth. Carcinogens can be chemical, physical, or biological, and their effects depend on the exposure and individual susceptibility.
Carcinoma
Cancer that forms in epithelial tissue (including epidermis)
Rebel cell
A cell that behaves abnormally, often resisting the normal controls of growth and division.
(rogue cells)
Anthropomorphism
The attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities.
- Cancer cells do not think, do not plan, do not
intentionally evolve
Cancer in latin
“crab”
- disease
- constellation (asterism)
- zodiac sign (pseudoscience)
karkinos in greek
crab
A crab is a metaphor for cancer the disease.
Blood vessels supplying tumours
look like many legs of a crab attached to the body.
Tumours are hard like the body of a crab.
The pain of a growing tumour is like the pinch of a crab.
Cancer as a metaphor
used for unrelated harms
Oncogene
A mutated gene that has the potential to cause cancer.
Carcinogenesis / oncogenesis
The formation of a cancer, whereby normal cells are transformed into cancer cells.
Tumour
An abnormal mass of tissue that forms when cells grow and divide more than they should or do not die when they should.
benign
non-cancerous
malignant
cancerous
~90% of cancers start…
in the epithelia (carcinomas)
Some names for atypical masses on the body
Mole, Cyst, “Skin Tag”, Pimple, Callus, Wart, Mass, Lump
epithelium
tissue made of a layer/ layers of cells covering bodily surfaces
tumour vs neoplasm
tumour : A lump, growth, localized swelling, mass while…
neoplasm : a new growth
oncology
branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and study of cancer.
Glyphosate
a typical carbon, oxygen and hydrogen-containing
organic molecule
active ingredient in Roundup herbicide
(is it a carcinogen? No clear answer)
Suspected to cause Mosaic Loss of Chromosome Y
among Male Farmers in the Agricultural Health Study.
aneuploidy
The occurrence of one or more extra or missing chromosomes in a cell or organism.
study on glyphosate use in farming
Males most exposed to glyphosate most likely to have lost Y chromosome from some of their cells
hypertrophy
Cell sizes increase locally
hyperplasia
Cell numbers increase locally
Dysplasia
the cells are displaced
and disorganized; normal cell
organization not visible
Somatic cells divide…
by mitosis
(they are the cells of the soma (body))
Germ cells
some divide by mitosis others divide by meiosis to
produce gametes (eggs or sperm cells)
“sporadic cancers”
Somatic cell gene mutations affect the organism in its lifetime - Some mutations enable cancer development.
Germ cell gene mutations transmitted to offspring…
may increase risk of cancer in offspring
Familial cancers
make up 5-10% of cancers
are where an inherited mutant
gene enables cancer to develop
A neoplasm is a growth resulting from
hyperplasia
gene mutation
change in a gene or its regulation
Gene mutations change…
cell structure and/or functions
Neoplasm to cancer :
cells of a benign tumor accumulate gene mutations over time to become a malignant tumor
all species genetic and
physical diversity depends on
gene mutations - they enable
polygenic
result of multiple interacting genes and factors
cancer resistance and susceptibility
hundreds of genes contribute to it
is also influenced by environment - habits, health &
harms such as pollution
certain mutant genes can greatly increase risk of cancer… give an example
albinism (lack of skin pigment)
greatly increases risk of skin cancer
beyond normal range
Whole chromosomes can be…
mutated, affecting many genes
review: sexual reproduction transmits parent’s…
genomes to offspring
Translocations
chromosomes composed of parts of two different chromosomes
deletions
Structural changes – missing pieces in chromosomes
Cancer development a gradual process of…
genetic mutation and phenotypic transformation
key features of cancer development
T A I M
(tumour, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis)
angiogenesis
formation of new blood vessels
blood supply forms, needed to grow
invasion in cancer development
some cells move into adjoining tissue
metastasis
some cells move to distant parts of body
pressure or friction can cause
hyperplasia calluses
tumourigenic
tumour forming
psoriasis
autoimmune disease
stays localised
lots of treatment options
Galway def. of cancer
a collection of malignant tumour cells
3 Hs in enviro. risks
habits, health and harms
karyotype
an individual’s complete set of chromosomes
“onkos” (greek)
a burden, mass or tumour
light microscopy is used for
viewing tissue biopsy sections, cells and chromosomes
translocations
chromosomes composed of parts of two different chromosomes
T A I M
tumour
angiogenesis
invasion
metastasis
metastasis
cells move to different parts of body
