Abnormal Cell Division Flashcards
(19 cards)
what is a Cancer cell?
any disease characterized by uncontrolled cell division that produces abnormal tumors or neoplasms.
Define benign Tumors
tend to grow slowly and don’t spread to other organs but they interfere with normal body function and/or appearance. Most are enclosed within a fibrous capsule.
Define Malignant tumors
non-encapsulated, they grow rapidly, and they spread to other organs by way of blood or lymph. do not exhibit contact inhibition and easily break loose from tumor to “seed” growth of new tumor.
define Metastasis
describes the spread of cancerous cells to other parts of the body.
what does the invasion of malignant cells do?
the malignant cells invade into the surrounding tissue produces a primary tumor that competes for space and nutrients and ultimately destroys normal tissue. Happens during metastasis.
What is a secondary tumor?
malignant cells may detach from this primary tumor and make this with new networks of blood vessels that provide nutrients for rapid growth
What is the probable cause of Metastasis?
the malignant tumors are not enclosed within a fibrous capsule. Incidious-weave way into any tissues.
How many cancer deaths are a result of metastasis?
90% of cancer death
Define Carcinomas.
arise from epithelial cells - 90% of all cancers; skin cells most likely to go through meiosis.
Define Melanomas.
arise from pigment - producing melanocytes in the skin as it moves to other parts of the body.
Define Sarcomas.
arise from bone cells or muscle cells.
Define Leukemia.
arise from abnormal white blood cells produced in the bone marrow.
Define Lymphomas.
arise from lymph nodes (breast cancer can spread to lung or bone)
What are some environmental carcinogens that can cause mutations?
Tobacco, food preservatives, radon gas, ultraviolet light, and x-rays they cause 60-70% of cancers. Smoking is #1 cause. Certain viruses can transform normal cells into cancerous cells. HPV - linked to causing cervical cancer.
What are oncogenes?
mutant forms of normal genes called proto-oncogenes.
What do tumor suppressor genes do?
Inhibit cell division or inactivate carcinogens.
What are some treatments for cancer?
surgical removal of the malignancy (tumor removal); chemotherapy; radiation therapy;
What happens in chemotherapy?
administers drugs that poison melignant cells, they are more vulnerable to chemotherapy because they can divide faster than normal cells.
What happens in radiation therapy?
destroys the chromosomes in malignant cells in order to prevent cell division - no way for the cell to divide. malignant cells are more vulnerable because they divide faster than normal cells.
