Cancer Biology Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is an Exon
portion of a gene that codes for amino acids this is the genetic code that is expressed
Genotype
the genetic composition of an individual
Phenotype
observable characteristic of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment
Epigenetics
the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself
ex: age, environment, lifestyle, socioeconomic factors, disease state
Why do cells divide?
reproduction, growth and repair
we all have mutation of cells and we have repair cells that locate the mutation and then destroy the mutated cell by apoptosis
G1 in cell cycle
Growth phase– protein synthesis normal process to keep body in homeostasis
S in cell cycle
DNA replication
G2 in cell cycle
microtubule formation create foundation sells that pull apart
G0
quiescent phase
What is cancer
abnormal cell division and growth (neoplasia)
Cancer is not just one disease it is many over 100 different types of cancer
What are the top 3 cancers?
- Prostate/breast
- Lung
- Colon
Proto-oncogenes and Oncogenes in relation to cancer
increase risk of cancer
-genes that are expressed at high levels in tumor cells
-genes regulate cell proliferation and differentiation
-inhibit cell programmed death
Tumor suppressor gene (anti-oncogenes) in relation to cancer
decrease risk of cancer
-inhibit cell proliferation and growth
-halt cell division if DNA is damaged
-allow DNA to be repaired if damage or mutation is minor
-if damage is significant they trigger apoptosis
DNA repair genes in relation to cancer
fix damage to mutated DNA
if problem leads to more mutation
What causes Cancers?
genetics: BRCA 1/2 breast cancer
environmental factors: chemicals, radiation, lifestyle factors, smoking
invading organisms: HPV can cause cervical cancer
Many cancers are believed to be due to a combination of these factors.
The 6 hallmarks of Cancer
- Self sufficient growth signals
- resistance to anti-growth signals
- immortality
- resistance to cell death
- sustained angiogenesis
- invasion and metastasis
Define the origin of each
Carcinoma
Leukemia
Lymphoma
Myeloma
Sarcoma
Carcinoma: epithelial tissue of the the organ
Leukemia: bone marrow
Lymphoma: lymphatic tissue
Myeloma: bone marrow
Sarcoma: connective tissue
Benign
Benign: slow growth: non-invasive, no metastasis
-do not spread into or invade other tissues
-usually not life threatening
Malignant
malignant- rapid growth, invasive, potential for metastasis
have increased risk of growing back
Staging of Cancer TNM
describes the severity of a persons cancer based on the extent of the primary tumor and weather or not cancer has metastasized
staging is important for several reasons: treatment, prognosis, common terminology
Describe TNM of staging a cancer
T= tumor size
Tx- tumor cannot be evaluated
T0- no evidence of tumor
T1-4- increasing size of tumor
N= spread to regional lymph nodes
Nx- lymph node cannot be evaluated
N0- no lymph node involvement
N1-3- increasing involvement of regional lymph nodes
M= presence of metastasis
M0- no distant metastasis
M1- distant metastasis
Tumor Grades
Gx- grade cannot be assessed
G1- well differentiated slow growing, tissues appears close to normal
G2- moderately differentiated
G3- poorly differentiated
G4- undifferentiated
Defining stages of development for cancer Acute and Chronic
Acute: immature, undifferentiated cells— more severe
Chronic: mature, differentiated cells
Difference between Myeloid and Lymphoid Cell lines
Myeloid: leukemia of granulocytes
Lymphoid: involves lymphocytes and plasma cells
B lymphocytes are antibodies
