Cancer, Carcinogens and Neoplasia Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is a carcinoma?
Malignant epithelial neoplasm
Why can BCC be cured by excision?
BCC don’t metastasise
When can’t excision be used?
When cancer is systemic, as spreads around the body e.g. Myeloma
What carcinomas can spread to the bone?
Lung, Thyroid, Prostate, Breast, Kidney
What is adjuvant therapy and when is it used?
Treatment after surgery and used to treat issue such as micro-metastases
Where do carcinomas spread to?
1) Spread to lymph nodes that drain them
2) Spread to bone
Define Carcinogenesis
Multistep transformation of normal–>Neoplastic cells by permanent genetic mutation
What are carcinogens?
Agents expected/known to cause tumours
How much an impact does environment have in tumour development?
85%
What are the 5 host factors that affect carcinoma risk?
1) Race
2) Constitutional factors
3) Diet
4) Transplacental Exposure
5) Premalignancy
What are the 5 categories of carcinoma?
1) Viral
2) Chemical
3) Occupational/Behavioural
4) Biological: Hormones, Parasites and Mycotoxins
5) Radiant Energy
What types of cancer does alcohol cause?
Lung, Liver, Oesophageal, Oropharyngeal, Bone and Colonic
What cancer do aromatic amines cause?
Bowel cancer
How does alcohol increase chance of cancer?
Increases oestrogen levels, oropharynx absorbs carcinogens more easily
How does living longer increases chances of cancer?
Live longer so exposed to environmental factors longer so more likely to live out latent period
What is a neoplasm?
Autonomous abnormal Persistent new growth
What are the 2 components of a neoplasm?
1) Neoplastic Cells 2) Stroma
What are neoplastic cells and main characteristics?
- Derived from nucleated cells
Char: Monoclonal and growth related to parent cells
What is the stroma?
Connective Tissue framework that provides mechanical support and nutrition
What is essential for growth and what is released to make this happen?
Angiogenesis
Vascular endothelial growth factors
Why does necrosis occur in the neoplasm?
Neoplasm grows quickly, outgrowing the vascular supply
How are neoplasms classified and what is the advantage of this?
1) Behaviour: Benign/Maligant(Borderline as well)
2) Histogenetic: Origin cell
(Helps determine the appropriate treatment and prognosis)
What are the 7 main features of benign neoplasms.
1) Localised 2) Non-invasive 3) Slow growth, low mitotic activity 4) Close resemblance to normal tissue 5) Normal nuclei 6) Necrosis/ulceration from slow growth 7) Exophytic growth
What are the consequences of benign neoplasms?
1) Adjacent structure pressures 2) Obstruction to flow 3) Development into malignant neoplasms 4) Anxiety
