Growth, cell death & neoplasia

Question 1

Define hypertrophy

Answer 1

INC in size of tissue caused by INC in size of constituent cells

Question 2

Give a physiological example of hypertrophy

Answer 2

INC in skeletal muscle during exercise

Question 3

Give a pathological example of hypertrophy

Answer 3

Cardiac muscle hypertrophy due to hypertension

Question 4

Define hyperplasia

Answer 4

INC in size of tissue caused by INC in number of constituent cells

Question 5

Give a physiological example of hyperplasia

Answer 5

Uterine cells during pregnancy (also undergo hypertrophy)

Question 6

Give a pathological example of hyperplasia

Answer 6

Endometriosis

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Question 7

Define atrophy

Answer 7

DEC in size of tissue caused by DEC in number of constituent cells/DEC in their size

Question 8

Give a physiological example of atrophy

Answer 8

Thymus atrophy during childhood

Question 9

Give a pathological example of atrophy

Answer 9

Muscular dystrophy

Question 10

Define metaplasia

Answer 10

Replacement of one fully differentiated tissue by another

Question 11

Give a pathological example of metaplasia

Answer 11

Barrett’s oesophagus (normal stratified squamous epithelium –> simple columnar epithelium w/ goblet cells)

If stimulus not removed, can progress to oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Question 12

Define dysplasia

Answer 12

Morphological changes seen in cells in the progression to becoming cancer

Question 13

What are the morphological changes seen in cells in the progression to cancer?

Answer 13

• Variation in size & shape
• High nuclear/ cytoplasmic ratio
• Increased mitotic figures

Question 14

Give a pathological example of dysplasia

Answer 14

Cervix: normal glandular epithelium –[HPV infection]–> immature squamous epithelial cells –> carcinoma in situ (localised) –> invasive cervical carcinoma

Question 15

Define necrosis

Answer 15

Traumatic cell death due to injury or disease

Question 16

What key features are present in necrosis? (4)

Answer 16

• Cell swollen
• Organelles damaged & destroyed
• Contents released
• Inflammation

Question 17

Define apoptosis

Answer 17

Programmed cell death

Question 18

What key features are present in apoptosis? (4)

Answer 18

• Cell shrunken
• Apoptosis bodies formed
• Contents retained
• No inflammation

Question 19

Give examples of necrosis (3)

Answer 19

Frostbite
Cerebral infarction
Pancreatitis

Question 20

Give examples of apoptosis (3)

Answer 20

Organ sculpting (separation of fingers & toes of foetus)
Skin cells
Cells lining the gut

Question 21

How does cancer arise?

Answer 21

p53 detects DNA damage and switches on apoptosis

Lack of apoptosis in cancer

Question 22

What do you call a benign cancer of glandular/secretory epithelium?

Answer 22

ADENOMA eg colonic/ thyroid adenoma

Question 23

What do you call a benign cancer of non-glandular/non-secretory epithelium?

Answer 23

PAPILLOMA eg squamous cell papilloma

Question 24

What do you call a malignant cancer of glandular epithelium?

Answer 24

ADENOCARCINOMA eg adenocarcinoma of breast/ stomach

Question 25

What do you call a malignant cancer of non-glandular epithelium?

Answer 25

CARCINOMA eg transitional cell carcinoma

Question 26

What do you call a benign cancer of connective tissue?

Answer 26

-OMA | eg neuroma

Question 27

What do you call a malignant cancer of connective tissue?

Answer 27

-SARCOMA | eg neurosarcoma

Question 28

What is a rhabdomyoma?

Answer 28

Benign connective tissue cancer of striated muscle

Question 29

What is leiomyoma?

Answer 29

Benign connective tissue cancer of SM

Question 30

What is a chondroma?

Answer 30

Benign connective tissue cancer of cartilage

Question 31

What is an osteoma?

Answer 31

Benign connective tissue cancer of bone

Question 32

What type of cancers are ALL MALIGNANT?

Answer 32

Lymphomas - lymphoid cells Melanoma - melanocytes Mesothelioma - mesothelial cells

Question 33

What are the most common embryonic tumours? (2)

Answer 33

- Retinoblastoma (eye) | - Nephroblastoma (renal)

Question 34

What is Burkitt's lymphoma?

Answer 34

B-cell lymphoma caused by Epstein Barr virus

Question 35

What is Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Answer 35

Malignant lymphoma --> Reed-Sternberg cells present

Question 36

What is a teratoma?

Answer 36

Tumour made up of all 3 germ layers eg contain hair, teeth, bone

Question 37

Define neoplasia

Answer 37

Autonomous Abnormal Persistent New growth

Question 38

Define tumour

Answer 38

Any abnormal swelling (neoplasm, inflammation, hypertrophy, hyperplasia)

Question 39

What causes cancer?

Answer 39

Mutation that causes cells to: - divide faster - not apoptose as fast as other cells - prevents telomerase shortening - makes cells immortal

Question 40

What do solid tumours consist of?

Answer 40

- Neoplastic cells | - Stroma

Question 41

Characteristics of benign neoplasms (6)

Answer 41

- Localised - Slow growth rate - little mitotic figures - Non-invasive - Don't spread to other sites - Encapsulated - Necrosis rare

Question 42

Characteristics of malignant neoplasms (6)

Answer 42

- All invasive - Can metastasise - Rapidly growing - increased mitotic figures - Irregular borders - Nuclei stain darkly, vary in size/shape - Necrosis & ulceration common

Question 43

In terms of differentiation, what tumours are more aggressive?

Answer 43

Poorly differentiated tumours are MORE AGGRESSIVE than well-differentiated tumours (closely resemble parent tissue)

Question 44

Define anaplastic

Answer 44

So poorly differentiated they lack histogenic features = EXTREMELY AGGRESSIVE eg anaplastic carcinoma of thyroid

Question 45

Define carcinoma in situ

Answer 45

Neoplasm that hasn't invaded through the epithelial basement membrane ie will sit where it is Complete excision will guarantee a cure

Question 46

Define invasive carcinoma

Answer 46

Neoplasm has invaded through the basement membrane

Question 47

What tumours commonly metastasise to the lung?

Answer 47

Sarcomas | Any common cancers

Question 48

What tumours metastasise to the liver?

Answer 48

Colon Stomach Pancreas Carcinoid tumours of intestine

Question 49

What tumours metastasise to bone?

Answer 49

``` Prostate Breast Thyroid Lung Kidney ```

Question 50

Which carcinoma never metastasises?

Answer 50

Basal cell carcinoma (rodent ulcer)