chapter 19 Flashcards
What is cancer characterized by?
Unrestrained and excessive growth of cells.
Cancer is responsible for 20% of all deaths in the United States.
What percentage of people who develop cancer are cured?
More than half.
This indicates the potential for successful treatment.
What are malignant tumors known to do?
Compress, invade, and destroy surrounding tissues.
Which cancers are the most common causes of cancer death for women?
Lung, breast, colorectal.
Which cancers are the most common causes of cancer death for men?
Lung, prostate, colorectal.
What is carcinogenesis?
The process by which cancer develops.
What are some environmental agents involved in carcinogenesis?
- Chemical carcinogens
- Radiation
- Viruses (RNA and DNA)
- Oncogenes
- Heredity
What is the origin of carcinomas?
Epithelial cell origin, comprising 90% of all malignancies.
What is the origin of sarcomas?
Connective tissue origin, comprising 5% of all malignancies.
What are mixed tissue tumors?
Tissues capable of differentiating into epithelial and connective tissue.
What does the grading of tumors refer to?
Degree of maturity or differentiation under the microscope.
What does the staging of tumors refer to?
Extent of spread in the body.
What is a debulking procedure?
A surgery to remove as much of the primary tumor mass as possible.
What is the purpose of adjuvant therapy?
To prevent recurrence at distant sites after the primary tumor is removed.
What is brachytherapy?
Use of radiation placed directly on or within the cancer.
What are some side effects of radiation therapy?
- Alopecia
- Fibrosis
- Infertility
- Mucositis
- Myelosuppression
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pneumonitis
- Secondary tumors
- Xerostomia
What are alkylating agents?
Synthetic chemicals containing alkyl groups that attack DNA.
What is apoptosis?
Programmed cell death.
What defines a benign tumor?
A noncancerous growth (neoplasm).
What are carcinogens?
Agents that cause cancer.
What is the role of cellular oncogenes?
Regions of DNA that can cause a normal cell to become malignant when activated by mutations.
What does chemotherapy involve?
Treatment with drugs.
What is combination chemotherapy?
Use of several chemotherapeutic agents together in the treatment of tumors.
What does differentiation refer to?
Specialization of cells.
