Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Med/Surg 1 Exam 2 > Introduction To Cancer > Flashcards

Introduction To Cancer Flashcards

(68 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is mitosis?

A

When a cell splits into 2 genetically identical daughter cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is meiosis?

A

When a cell splits but keeps only half the genetic chromosomes (23 vs normal 46)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

In what type of cells does meiosis only occur?

A

Sex cells of testes and ovaries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is differentiation?

A

Normal process where cells change in order to specialize for certain body functions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are some alterations to cells?

A

Hyperplasia
Metaplasia
Dysplasia
Anaplasia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is hyperplasia?

A

An increase in number or density of normal cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is metaplasia?

A

Change in the normal pattern of cell differentiation (cells ain’t where they are supposed to be)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is dysplasia?

A

Cells that differentiate in abnormal ways

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is anaplasia?

A

Immature or undifferentiated cell reproduction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is cancer marked by?

A

Uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Another name for tumor:

A

Neoplasm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a neoplasm

A

Mass of new tissue which grows independently from surrounding tissues and has no function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Characteristics of benign tumors:

A
  • Localized growths
  • Solid, well defined borders
  • Grow slowly and remain stable in size
  • Inhibition
  • Usually easily removed and don’t recur
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Why can benign still cause problems?

A

Crowding and obstructions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is inhibition?

A

Stop growing when they reach the border of other tissues

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Characteristics of malignant tumors

A
  • Grows aggressively
  • Irregular in shape, no defined borders
  • Cuts through other tissues causing injury
  • Varying degrees of differentiation from parent cells
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Characteristics of malignant cells

A
  • Unregulated mitosis
  • Loss of specialization and differentiation
  • No contact inhibition
  • Altered cell structure
  • Transplantability
  • Promote own survival
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Progressive mutations can lead to?

A

Greater deviation and sometimes immortality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is transplantability?

A

Ability to break away and grow elsewhere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How does malignant cells promote their own survival?

A

Create vascular and support structures for own use

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the key step that separates benign from malignant tumors?

A

Angiogenesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is angiogenesis?

A

Formation of new blood vessels from old

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How is angiogenesis used in normal body function?

A

Integral in would healing formation of granulation tissue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is metastasis?

A

Process where cancer cells spread from their primary site to distant organs and tissues

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What happens as malignant cells spread?
They access vascular and lymphatic systems (even possible to create their own) allowing them to spread to distant parts of the body
26
What two primary factors are central to all origins of cancer?
Carcinogens | Immune impairment
27
What are carcinogens?
Substances which can cause genetic mutation in cells through exposure
28
What is immune impairment?
Lessens bodies ability to fight and control abnormal cell growth
29
Carcinogens can either be? | Examples?
External: chemicals, substances, viruses Internal: inherited mutations, hormones
30
What are some general risk factors?
``` Heredity Age Gender Poverty Stress Diet: obesity Occupation Infections Tobacco, recreational drug, and alcohol use Sun exposure ```
31
Where does mutation occur?
Cells' DNA
32
How do these mutations occur?
Can be inherited via genetic link from parents or acquired during life due to exposure to carcinogens
33
Initiation of cancer cells?
CA cells arise from "normal" cells due to change in the cells' genetic structure
34
Exposure to promoting agents causes mutations to do what?
Express themselves and/or mutated cells to proliferate
35
Some carcinogens function as both what?
Initiators and promoters
36
What happens during progression?
- Cancer cells increase in proliferation rate - Formation of tumor - Spread of cancer cells outside of tumor
37
Summary: Initiation
Initiators cause cellular mutation
38
Summary: Promotion
Carcinogen exposure causes expression of mutant genetics
39
Summary: Progression
Increasing malignant behavior and spread
40
What are some ways of prevention?
- Avoiding exposure to carcinogens/reducing risk factors - Follow workplace safety guidelines - General lifestyle changes
41
What are some general lifestyle changes?
``` Quit smoking/limit drinking Eat healthy Wear sunscreen/limit sun exposure Exercise Stress reduction ```
42
What are some ways of diagnosing cancer?
``` Imaging Cytology Tumor markers Visualization Lab tests: blood, urine Grading Staging ```
43
Examples of imaging
``` X-ray CT MRI Ultrasounds Angiography ```
44
What is cytology?
Tissue sample taken from fluid aspiration, biopsy
45
Which examination of cells can reveal differences in tumor cell from normal or parent cells?
Cytological
46
What are tumor markers?
Biochemical indicators of tumors which can be found in ALL body tissue when tumors are present
47
Examples of visualization
Colonoscopy | Bronchoscopy
48
What does diagnosis grading mean?
Level of differentiation from parent cell
49
TNM stands for
Tumor- size of tumor Node- lymph node involvement Metastasis- spread to other areas
50
What are some types of medical treatments?
Surgery Pharmacological (chemotherapy) Radiation
51
What does nursing care post surgery include?
General post op care TCDB Monitor for bleeding Infection control
52
Anti-neoplastic meds inhibit?
DNA and/or RNA production or replication f
53
Anti-neoplastic: Alkylating
Busulfan | Cylophophamide
54
Anti-neoplastic: Antibiotics
Bleomycin | Dactinomycin
55
Anti-neoplastic: Antimetabolites
Fluorouracil | Methotrexate
56
Nursing care for Chemo: Hormones
Block hormones used for cancer cell growth
57
Nursing care for Chemo: Antianemics
Help support RBC | Correct anemia
58
General Chemo side effects include?
``` GI upsets Alopecia Fatigue Anemia Neutropenia Thrombocytopenia ```
59
What is part of nursing care for chemo patients?
- Infection control: neutropenic precautions - Promote fluid intake and nutriton - Monitor kidney, liver function (especially with anti-neoplastic drugs) - Activity tolerance - Educate on side effects/changes: urine color change - Psychosocial, sexual, spiritual health
60
What are some clinical manifestations of cancer?
``` Change in normal body functions (bowel, bladder pattern, GI upset) Hematological changes Infection Cachexia Paraneoplastic syndromes Pain Psychological stress ```
61
Nursing care for external beam
Monitor site Educate patient on cleaning (mild soap, pat dry, don't soak) Protect yourself
62
Nursing care for Brachytherapy
Minimize time in room/maintain distance Don't dislodge pellet Keep lead container and tongs in room Activity, skin tears, hazards of immobility
63
What is brachytherapy?
Placing radioactive material directly inside or next to tumor
64
What is an external beam?
High energy x-ray machine to direct radiation to tumor
65
What is the machine used for external beam therapy?
Linear accelerator
66
What is cachexia?
Wasting/rapid weight loss caused by metabolic demands of cancer
67
What is paraneoplastic syndrome?
Caused by production of biological chemicals at sites OTHER THAN where cancer is
68
What is tumor lysis syndrome?
Breakdown of cancer cells = increase in intracellular contents in circulation

Med/Surg 1 Exam 2 (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions