Cancer Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is cancer
Highly invasive & destructive neoplasms (cells growth & uncontrolled cell division)
Define oncology
The study of neoplasms
Define neoplasms
Cells formed from irreversible deviant cell division
Define tumour
A collection of cells that have lost genetic control of proliferation & differentiation
Define benign
Localised & closely resembling cells of iron but lost control of proliferation
Define malignant
Invasive & destructive cells that do not resesmble cells of origin
What suffixes are used for benign & malignant tumours
Benign = oma
Malignant = carcinoma or sarcoma
Explain characteristics & features of a benign tumour
Cells that do what they’re supposed to do but proliferation has gone wrong
Slow growing & stays localised
Differentiated cells
Mitosis fairly normal
Expanding mass
Frequently encapsulated
Explain features of a malignant tumour
Cells vary in shape & size
Many undifferentiated cells
Mitosis increased & atypical
Cells not adhesive, infiltrate tissue
No capsule
Invade nearby tissue or metastasises & lymph vessels
What is the difference between a normal & cancer cell
Normal cell = cellular proliferation & cell differentiation
Cancer cell = cellular over-proliferation & undifferentiated cells
What is the impact of cancer I tissues, organs & organ systems
Loss of cell to cell communication = further unrestricted growth of the tumour
Increased energy expenditure = deprives unaffected cells of nutrients
Increased motility & loss of cohesion = promotes movement to other locations
Rapid anagiogenesis = extensive blood flow to the tumour
What 3 genes do cancer cells attack
Mytator genes = repair mutated DNA and protect the genome
Protoonocogenes = regulate cell function
Tumour suppressor genes = prohibit proliferation, and regulate apoptosis (cell death)
Explain how cancer is formed
Carcinogenic agent (smoking) goes into the cells
The cells try to fix the problem but can’t so DNA is damaged = failure of DNA repair = mutation in the gene
This mutation then increased growth proliferation, apoptosis & suppresses anti-oncogenes
This causes unregulated cells growth & undifferentiation = cancer
What stages can cancer be prevent
Initiation phase & promotion phase
Name the 4 ways cancer can spread
Local spread = proliferation of neoplasm within the tissue of origin
Direct extension = tumour cells moving into adjacent tissues & organs
Seeding = malignant tumours move along membranes of peritoneal & pleasurable cavities gaining access to organs
Metatstases = neoplasms spread to distant sites by the blood stream or lymphatic system
What does cancer classification involve
Tumour sizing = size, extent, spread & number of nodes involved
What is grade 1&2 cancer
Well differentiated
Resemble the tissue of origin in size & shape
Structure & mitotic activity
What is a grade 3&4 cancer
Highly undifferentiated
Demonstrate little or no resemblance to the tissue of origin
