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Pathology 2210 > Cancer > Flashcards

Cancer Flashcards

(69 cards)

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1
Q

Define Cancer:

A

A class of diseases characterised by uncontrollable cell division and the ability of these cells to be able to invade other tissues by invasion or metastasis

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2
Q

Define Invasion:

A

The direct growth of cancer into an adjacent tissue

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3
Q

Define Metastasis:

A

The migration of cancer cells to distant sites

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4
Q

Define Neoplasm:

A

A new and abnormal tissue growth

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5
Q

For Benign Tumours, what is their;

Growth Rate:
Character of Growth:
Tumour Spread:
Cell Differentiation:

A

Slow
Expansion
Remains localised
Well Differentiated (It’s structure mimics normal tissue)

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6
Q

For Malignant Tumours, what is their;

Growth Rate:
Character of Growth:
Tumour Spread:
Cell Differentiation:

A

Fast
Infiltration (Can send processes into other tissues)
Metastasises
Can range from well to poorly differentiation

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7
Q

In general prefix + oma means that the tumour is________

A

Benign

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8
Q 
What do these prefixes mean?
Adeno-
Angio-
Chondro-
Haemangio-
Lymphangio- 
Fibro-
A 
Adeno = Has a glandular structure
Angio = Vessels
Chondro = Cartilage 
Haemangio = Blood vessels 
Lymphangio = Lymph vessels
Fibro = Fibrous tissue
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9
Q

Is a Papilloma/Polyp benign or malignant?

A

Benign

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10
Q

What is a Carcinoma?

A

A malignant tumour that arises from the epithelial cells

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11
Q

What is a Sarcoma?

A

A malignant tumour that arises from non-epithelial cells

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12
Q

What some exceptions to the prefix + oma = benign rule?

A

Melanoma

Lymphoma

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13
Q

Colon/rectal, breats and prostate cancers are believed to be linked with ______________________

A

Diet and lifestyle choices

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14
Q

Liver cancer is associated with ________________

A

The Hepatitis virus

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15
Q

Cervix/Uterine cancer is associated with ____________

A

Human Papilloma Virus

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16
Q

How do we deal with benign tumours?

A
  1. Ignore it if it isn’t affecting function (e.g. Lipoma)
  2. Remove it if it is large or in the way
  3. Remove it if it could cause damage to surrounding tissues/organs (e.g. benign brain tumour)
  4. Remove it due to malignant potential (colon polyps)
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17
Q

How common are Breast Fibroadenomas

A
  • Very common especially in young women

- May be left or removed (due to pain or other symptoms or patient concern)

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18
Q

What is a Breast Fibroadenoma?

A

Characteristically well-circumscribed benign tumour of the breast fibrous and glandular tissue

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19
Q

Breast Fibroadenomas usually present as __________________________ that is _______, ______, _______ and not _______

A

Single Discrete mass

Smooth, rubbery, mobile and not tender

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20
Q

Breast Fibroadenomas respond to __________ and _________ and therefore can change in size over the _____________.

A

Oestrogen and Progesterone

Ovarian/Menstrual Cycle

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21
Q

Breast Fibroadenomas _______ progress to malignancy

A

Do not

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22
Q

How do we diagnose Breast Fibroadenomas?

A

Ultrasound
Biopsy
Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA)

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23
Q

How do we treat Breast Fibroadenomas?

A

Can be left or removed (due to symptoms {pain} or patients wishes)

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24
Q

What is a Meningioma?

A

A generally benign tumour of the meninges that cover the brain and spinal cord

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25
Meningiomas are unlikely to _________. They are removed due to the ____________________________
Metastasise | Damage they cause the brain due to increased pressure
26
Colon Polyps are ________ tumours of the colon and are usually _________
Benign | Asymptomatic
27
Colon polyp incidence _________ with age and is screened for by using a ____________
Increases | Colonoscopy
28
Cancer is a multi-step process that results from the accumulation of ___________ and __________ alterations
Genetic and Epigenetic
29
What genetic factors can affect cancer developent?
Gain/Loss of Chromosomes or Chromosome pieces | Presence of oncogenes
30
What is an oncogene?
A gene whose activation by mutation or inappropriate expression leads to an increased ikelihood of cancer
31
Carcinoma In Situ (CIN) is a pathway leading to ________ cancer development. It is characterised by the ___________________ and __________________
Colorectal cancer Loss of tumour suppressor genes Mutation of oncogenes (K-RAS)
32
What is a tumour suppressor gene?
A gene whose partial or complete inactivation either in germ line or somatic cells leads to an increased likelihood of cancer
33
What is a microsatellite?
A region of the DNA where you have multiple repeats | Repeating regions is normally 1-6 nucleotides long
34
______________ enzymes repair microsatellite regions whose structure has been affected during ___________
Mismatch repair enzymes | Cell division
35
If there is a mutation or lack of expression of _____________________ then we get variable alterations in length of the microsatellite regions. This is called _______________
Mismatch repair enzymes | Microsatellite instability
36
A microsatellite located in the coding region that has mutated will alter _____________ and therefore the ___________
Amino acids sequence | Protein structure
37
A microsatellite located in the regulatory region that has mutated will alter ___________
Gene Expression
38
CpG Island Methylator Phenotype (CIMP) is a pathway leading to ________ cancer characterised by the ______________ of CpG islands
Colorectal cancer | Hypermethylation
39
CpG islands are often found in the ________ region of DNA, therefore hypermythlation of these islands ________________________ which can lead to ______
Promoter Silences important genes Cancer
40
Cancer Treatment is dependent on:
Cancer type Cancer stage Pathological features e.g. size The patient e.g. age, other illnesses, patient choice
41
What are the 4 types of cancer treatment?
Chemotherapy Radiotherapy Surgery Targeted treatments
42
_________ is often the first line of treatment for solid tumours
Surgery
43
In order to prepare the patient for surgery they often have to undergo ______________ to _______ the tumour
Chemotherapy to shrink the tumour
44
After surgery patients may require _______________ to destroy remaining cancer cells
Radiation therapy
45
What must surgeons consider before surgery?
- Accessibility of the tumour - Tumour size - Has it metastasised? - Age and health of patient - Likelihood of success
46
What is radiation therapy?
The use of high energy radiation to kill tumour cells by damaging their DNA and preventing them from dividing
47
Radiation treatment is usually _________ (dose is divided up into smaller ones) so that __________ have time to _________
Fractionated Healthy Tissues Repair
48
What are some common cancers treated with radiation therapy?
``` Breast Prostate Lung GI Skin ```
49
What are the advantages of Radiotherapy?
- Treats cancers in situ without anaesthetic (Surgery) or systemic side effects (Chemo) - Effectively controls symptoms and improves quality of life - Effective in managing severe conditions associated with malignancy
50
What are the side effects of Radiotherapy?
- Usually limited to the area treated e.g. hair loss or skin reactions - Fatigue - Symptoms associated with damage to certain tissues
51
What is chemotherapy?
The treatment of disease via chemical substances
52
How does chemotherapy work?
- Inhibits normal cell function (metabolism, DNA synthesis, cell division)
53
Chemotherapy affects ________ but affects __________ the most due to their ______________
All cells Cancer cells Increased activity
54
What are anti-metabolites?
- Structurally related to naturally occurring substances (Vitamins, AAs, Nucleotides) that interfere with nucleotide production - Inhibit key enzymes or substitute for normal purine/pyrimidines - Decrease DNA synthesis and interfere with cell growth
55
Methotrexate is an analogue of ________ that inhibits the enzyme _____________. It inhibits _____________
Folic Acid Dihydrofolate Reductase (DHFR) DNA synthesis
56
Methotrexate is toxic to the cells of the __________, ________ and _________ as these cells ___________
Bone Marrow Oropharynx GI Tract Rapidly divide
57
Methotrexate is used to treat _________________ and _____________________
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia | Burkitt's Lymphoma
58
Alkylating Drugs a form of highly reactive electrophillic that _________________. This affects __________ and ___________.
Covalently bind to DNA | Transcription and Replication
59
What are some examples of Alkylating Drugs?
Cyclophophamide and Cisplatin
60
Platinum compounds like _______ cause DNA _________ and _____________. It is ____ specific and therefore ______ be used to treat many cancers.
``` Cisplatin Cross-Links Interstrand adducts Not-specific can ```
61
Inhibitors of chromatin function like _______ and ______ deplete __________ and promote ______________________ and ___________
Paclitaxel and Taxol Soluble tubulin Microtubule polymerisation Apoptosis
62
Inhibitors of Chromatin function are used to treat ___________________ like _________, _____________________ and _________
Aggressively growing tumours Ovarian Cancer Advanced breast cancer Lung cancer
63
Due to the lack of specificity of chemotherapy __________ that are _____________ or _________________ are affected
Normal cells Rapidly dividing Have high energy needs
64
What are targeted treatments?
Treatments that affect cancer cells but are less toxic to non malignant cells
65
What are Steroid Receptor Antagonists?
Compounds that are structurally similar to steroids that compete with them at the receptor but don't trigger the receptors
66
Steroid Receptor Antagonists can be used to treat ___________ as these cancer cells __________ oestrogen receptor production and they are _____________________. __________ is most commonly used for this cancer.
Breast Cancer Up-regulate Dependent on Oestrogen for growth Tomoxifen
67
Many reactions in the body are regulated by _______ enzymes. In cancer cells the activity of these enzymes is ________. To prevent this we use __________
Kinase enzymes Increased Kinase Inhibitors
68
About 10% of ____________________ carry mutations in the __________________. This causes constant _______________ which causes cancer cell proliferation
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Activation of the receptor
69
If the patient has a ______ mutation then they are given a ___________________
EGFR | EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor

Pathology 2210 (20 decks)

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