Chapter 11: Biology, Clinical Manifestations, And Treatment Of Cancer Flashcards Preview

Pathophysiology > Chapter 11: Biology, Clinical Manifestations, And Treatment Of Cancer > Flashcards

Flashcards in Chapter 11: Biology, Clinical Manifestations, And Treatment Of Cancer Deck (19)
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0
Q

Benign tumor

A

Grow slowly, well-defined capsule, not invasive, well differentiated, low neurotic index, do not metastasize

1
Q

Cancer

A

Result of cells losing normal control over their proliferation and form a tumor that serves no biological purpose

2
Q

Malignant tumor

A

Grow rapidly, not encapsulated, invasive, poorly differentiated, high mitotic index, can spread distantly(metastasis)

3
Q

Classification and Nomenclature

A

Malignant tumors
-named according to the tissues from which they arise
–Malignant epithelial tumors=carcinoma
Arise from or form ductal or glandular structures=adenocarcinomas
–Malignant connective tissue tumors=sarcomas
E.g. Chondrosarcoma and osteosarcoma
–cancers of lymphatic tissues=lymphomas
–cancers of blood forming cells=leukemias
–carcinoma in situ(CIS)
Preinvasive epithelial malignant tumors of glandular or epithelial origin that have not broken through the basement membrane or invaded the surrounding stroma

4
Q

Transformation

A

Process of accumulating mutations leading to the development of cancer

5
Q

Autonomy

A

Cells no longer rely on extracellular signals to control proliferation

6
Q

Anchorage independence

A

No longer need to attach to a substratum to proliferate

7
Q

Immortalization

A

Acquire an abnormal lifespan with apparently unlimited potential for proliferation

8
Q

Anaplasia

A

Lose tissue organization and levels of cell differentiation

Leads to pleomorphism (different types of cells make up tumor)

9
Q

Genetic basis of cancer

A

Types of genes affected:
-growth factors/growth factor receptors
Some cancer cells acquire the ability to secrete growth factors that stimulate their own growth, autocrine stimulation
Some cancers have an increase in growth factor receptors E.g. In breast cancer up-regulation of HER2 receptors sends growth signals into the cell
-intracellular signaling proteins
e.g RAS is activated in many types of cancers, stimulating cell growth even when growth factors are missing
-apoptotic proteins
Down regulation leading to increased life span
-tumor suppressor genes
Function normally to suppress proliferation
Mutation and inactivation

10
Q

Mutation of normal genes into ocogenes

A

-point mutations: single nucleotide change in DNA e.g RAS gene
-chromosomes translocations; a piece of one chromosome is translocation to another chromosome leading to dysregulation of gene transcription e.g MYC gene in Burkitt lymphoma
-gene amplification
Duplication of a small piece of chromosomes over and over again so that instead of two copies of a gene, tens or hundreds of copies are present e.g N-myc in neuroblastoma
-loss of heterozygosity
Loss of normal allele of a gene(for tumor suppression)
-gene silencing: decreased production of protein through non-mutational DNA modification
DNA methylation to stop transcription of a tumor suppressor gene

11
Q

Angiogenesis

A

Growth of new vessels, advanced cancers can secrete angiogenetic factors(growth factors) to promote blood vessel invasion to provide nutrients

12
Q

Telomeres and Immortality

A

Body cells are not immortal and can divide only a limited number of times
Telomeres are protective caps on each chromosome and are held in place by telomerase
Telomeres become smaller and smaller with each cell division
Cancer cells can restore telomeres leading to continued division

13
Q

Inflammation and cancer

A
Chronic inflammation is an important favor in the development of cancer
-causes cellular injury
Cytokine release from inflammatory cells
Free radicals
Mutation promotion
Decreased response to DNA damage
14
Q

Local tissue invasion

A

Adherence to extracellular matrix protein and then break down of ECM by tumor produced proteases to allow invasion through basement membrane

15
Q

Metastasis

A

Spread of cancer cells from the site of the original tumor to distant tissues and organs through the body
Invasion, or local spread is a prerequisite for metastasis
Mobile tumor cells enter the circulation. Intravasation
Migration with blood
Homing at distant site
Adherence to vessel wall
Extravasation at distant site to form a secondary tumor

16
Q

Cancer diagnosis/staging

A
Markers
Biopsies
Staging
-1:confined to organ of origin
-2:locally invasive
-3:spread to regional structures
-4:metastasis to distant sites
17
Q

Cancer clinical manifestations

A
Pain
Fatigue
Cachexia 
Anemia
Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia
Infection
18
Q

Cancer treatment

A

Chemotherapy
Radiation
Surgery
Immunotherapy