Genetic Presisposition To Cancer

Question 1

What is cancer?

Answer 1

Genetic disease of somatic cells

Question 2

What are the different genetic processes related with cancer?

Answer 2

Oncogenes - regulate cell growth

Tumour suppressor genes - inhibits cell cycle or promotes apoptosis - ‘two-hit hypothesis’

DNA damage-response genes - repair mechanisms for DNA, repairs mismatching genes etc. Failure leads to MSI.

Question 3

What is Microsatellite instability?

Answer 3

Extra DNA, accumulation of mutation

Question 4

Dysplastic/ pre-malignant

Answer 4

Benign but has potential to go on and be cancerous.

Question 5

De novo mutations

Answer 5

New mutations

Occurs in germ cell of parent, no signs before

Question 6

Retinoblastoma

Answer 6

Tumour in eye, common in children
Hereditary and non-hereditary forms.
Hereditary - usually both eyes, usually younger
Non-hereditary - usually one eye, usually slightly older

Question 7

Risks for cancer

Answer 7

Environment
Age 
Dietary factors
Family history
Lack of exercise 
Late menopause 
Estrogen usage

Question 8

Genes associated with breast cancer

Answer 8

BRCA1
BRCA2
TP53
PTEN

Question 9

Most breast and ovarian cancer is sporadic

Answer 9

..

Question 10

FAP

Answer 10

Familia

Question 11

CHRPE

Answer 11

Eye

Question 12

Aspirin

Answer 12

Reduces polyp formation

Inflammatory inhibitor