Chapter 61: Oncology Flashcards
(228 cards)
What characterizes cancer?
Abnormal cell proliferation and uncontrolled cell division
What is a tumor?
A mass of cells that can be benign or malignant
What is the difference between benign and malignant tumors?
- Benign tumors are non-cancerous and stay in their primary location
- Malignant tumors can invade other tissues and spread
What does metastasis refer to?
The spread of cancer to a different part of the body
Metastasis involves cancer cells traveling through the lymphatic system or blood.
Where can malignant tumors travel through to invade other tissues?
- Lymphatic system
- Blood
Fill in the blank: Malignant tumors can form a secondary tumor with the same _______ as the primary tumor.
cancerous cells
What causes cancer?
Genetic mutations
What are the main types od genes involved in cancer?
- Proto-oncogene
- DNA repair gene
- Tumor suppressor gene
What are proto-oncogenes?
Genes involved in normal cell division that can become mutated to form oncogenes.
What are oncogenes?
Mutated forms of proto-oncogenes that promote cancer cell growth.
Examples of oncogenes include HER2 and EGFR.
What role do DNA repair genes play in cancer?
They usually fix mistakes in DNA during replication, and mutations in these genes prevent cell repair.
What role do Tumor suppressor genes play in cancer?
They normally regulate cell division; when mutated, cells can grow uncontrollably
What are external factors causing mutations?
- Chemicals
- Radiation
- Sunlight exposure
- Tabacco and alcohol
- Bacteria and viruses
What are internal factors causing mutations?
- Hormones
- BRCA genes
- Older age
What type of cancer is commonly associated with sun or UV light exposure?
Skin cancer
What type of skin cancer is less prevalent but more likely to spread?
Melanoma
What are the ABCDE warning signs of melanoma stand for?
- Asymmetry
- Border irregularity
- Color variation
- Diameter larger than 6 mm
- Evolving changes in size, color, or shape
What are the screening guidelines for breast cancer?
Annual mammogram after age 45 yo and can switch to every 2 years after 55 yo
What are the screening guidelines for cervical cancer?
Start at the age of 25:
* pap smear every 3 years
* HPV DNA test every 5 years
What are the screening guidelines for Colorectal cancer?
- Starts at the age 45 years
- Stool based test every 3 years
- Colonoscopy every 10 years
- Sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
What are the screening guidelines for Lung cancer?
At the age of 50 years,
annual CT of the chest if:
* >= 20 pack-year smoking history
* still smoking or quit smoking within the past 15 years
What are the screening guidelines for Prostate cancer?
If patients choose to test:
Prostate specific antigen blood test +/- digital rectal exam
What are the warning signs of cancer?
CAUTION
- Change in bowel or bladder habits
- A sore that does not heal
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere
- Indigestion or difficulty swollowing
- Obvious change in a wart or mole
- Nagging cough or hoarseness
What are the core elements of diagnosis for all cancer types?
- Biopsy
- Imaging
- Lab test such as metabolic panel, tumor markers and genetic testing