Cancer Flashcards
What is the generic definition of cancer?
Abnormal new tissue growth characterized by progressive uncontrolled multiplication of cells
What is the abnormal growth of cells called?
Neoplasm
Tumor
What are the traits of a benign tumor?
Tumor is encapsulated in connective tissue
Contains fairly well differentiated cells
Cells retain recognizable tissue structure
Do not travel through blood vessels or lymphatics or form secondary tumors in other organs
What is a tumor designated if it is encapsulated in connective tissue/
Benign
T/F: benign tumors are harmless
False. While they do not spread to other parts of the body, their growth can put pressure on surrounding organs and structures like the brain
Most people dont use theirs anyway so its up for debate
Describe the growth of cells in malignant tumors
Unorganized
What does a malignant tumor do that a benign tumor does not?
Invade surrounding structures, tissues, blood vessels and lymphatics
Cancers that arise from the epithelial tissues are called what?
Carcinomas
What can happen as a side effect of rapid tumor growth?
The tumors can grow so rapidly that the new cells deprive the older cells of nutrition resulting in necrosis or cavity formation within the tumor
What are carcinomas?
Cancers that arise from epithelial tissue
What are adenocarcinomas?
Cancers arising out of glandular tissues
Cancers arising out of glandular tissues are what?
Adenocarcinomas
Cancers arising from connective tissue are called what?
Sarcomas
What are sarcomas?
Cancers arising from connective tissues
A tumor that arises from bronchial mucosa is called what?
Bronchogenic carcinoma
What is the fancy term for lung cancer?
Bronchogenic carcinoma
Which type of lung cancer has the strongest correlation with smoking?
Small cell lung carcinoma
What are the 4 major types of lung cancer?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
Large cell carcinoma
Small cell (oat cell) carcinoma
Describe the growth rate and size of small cell carcinomas
Grow rapidly
Grow large
When does a small cell carcinoma tend to metastasize?
Early
What percent of patients with small cell carcinoma respond to treatment?
90%
If left untreated, how long do individuals with small cell carcinoma tend to live?
1-3 months
T/F: nearly all patients who have had small cell carcinoma relapse within 36 months
False. Nearly all patients who have had small cell carcinoma relapse within 24 months
Squamous cell carcinomas make up what percent of all bronchogenic carcinomas?
25-30%
What tissue do squamous cell carcinomas arise from?
Bronchial epithelium
Small cell lung carcinomas make up what percent of all bronchogenic carcinomas?
10-15%
Describe the general location squamous cell carcinomas
Central bronchus or hilum
Describe the growth rate of a squamous cell carcinoma
Slow
Squamous is flat, turtles are flattish
A bronchogenic carcinoma found in the central bronchus or hilum is most likely…
A squamous cell carcinoma
At what point do squamous cell carcinomas tend to metastasize?
Late
Adenocarcinomas make up what percentage of bronchogenic carcinomas?
40%
Where do adenocarcinomas tend to arise?
From a gland
Describe the growth rate of adenocarcinomas
Moderate growth rate
At what point do adenocarcinomas metastasize?
Early
Where do adenocarcinomas tend to be located in the lung?
Generally situated in the periphery of the lung
A cancer that is located in the periphery of the lung could be an
Adenocarcinoma