Cancer Notes Flashcards
Cell cycle control system
Functions to trigger and coordinate events of the cell cycle.
The cycle is run by proteins that control the system (i.e. anaphase only happens after metaphase if the proteins tell it to)
There are checkpoints that need the go-ahead by the proteins at the G1 point, end of G2 point, and middle of Mitosis point
G0 cells
Cells that do not continue to divide, but instead stop at the G1 phase unless damage occurs, or they receive a signal from a growth factor to continue dividing
Growth factor
Binds to a receptor protein at the surface of the cell, which then starts a signal transduction pathway to the next protein, until it reaches the cell control system. (A game of telephone)
If some thing goes wrong in the game of telephone, it can lead to cancer
Cancer
A disease of the cell cycle where cells don’t heed the normal signals that regulate the cycle, rather, they divide excessively, and may invade other tissues of the body.
Starts with a single cell that gets converted from a normal cell to a cancer cell. This happens after there is a mutation in one or more genes that encode for proteins in the cell cycle control system. (Can usually be detected and destroyed but if not will keep dividing and form a tumour)
Tumour
An abnormally growing build up of body cells.
Benign tumour
When these abnormally growing cells remain at the original site and don’t invade other tissues / the blood
Can usually be simple removed by surgery
Malignant tumour
When the tumour can invade neighbouring tissues, and have cells that can travel through the blood or lymphatic system, and spread to other parts of the body.
This is when someone is said to have cancer
Metastasis
The spread of cancer cells beyond their original site by traveling through blood or lymph
Precancerous
A term used when something may develop into cancer, if not treated, or may not.
Hyperplasia
A type of precancerous tumour in which there is a tumour of normal looking cells that grow faster than usual.
(a HYPER build up of normal cells)
Some may be pre-cancerous, but most are not.
Atypia
A type of precancerous tumour in which the cells are slightly abnormal. Sometimes caused by healing and inflammation.
(ATYPICAL!)
Some are precancerous.
Metaplasia
A type of precancerous tumour in which there is a change from the types of cells normally found in that part of the body. They look normal, but don’t belong there.
(The regular cells MET up in a different location)
Most are not precancerous.
Dysplasia
A precancerous tumour in which there are abnormal cells, more cells than normal, grow faster than normal, and aren’t arranged like normal cells.
(DYS = defective -> abnormal cells)
These are precancerous.
Carcinoma in situ
The most severe type of pre-cancerous tumour. The cells are very abnormal, though they have not yet grown into nearby tissue.
(Couldn’t come up with a fun way of remembering this one because it’s too unfun because it’s high risk)
There is a high risk for becoming cancerous.
Carcinomas
Cancers that originate covering or linings of the body, such as a skin, or the lining of an intestine.
These are the most common of cancers. They also affect the largest amount of surface area in the body.
(CarSKINomas)
Sarcomas
Cancer that arises in tissues that support the body such as bone, muscle, and cartilage
(Think of SARCOMeres - what makes muscle tissue)
