L9 - Tumours Flashcards
How are tumours caused?
6
During differentiation most human cells lose the ability to divide by mitosis
Every skin cell normally divide about 20-50 times before they die
Losing the ability to divide + programmed cell death are 2 ways in which cells control their own division + thus numbers
But sometimes these control mechanisms break down
The result is that if kept supplied with nutrients, the cells undergo repeated uncontrolled division.
A large mass of these cells is called a tumour
What are some causes of mutations in cells that can lead to cancer?
(13)
- Smoking
- Ultraviolet radiation ( + sun)
- Chemicals
- Diet
- Body mechanisms breaking down
- Age
- Inherited genes
- Changes in hormones
- Air pollution
- Infections + viruses (e.g. HPV)
- Alcohol
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity + weight
How can cancer damage the body?
The cells grow and form lumps which apply pressure to organs, nerves or blood vessels and interfering with + impairing their function
What are the 2 main treatments for cancer?
chemotherapy
radiotherapy
How does chemotherapy help treat cancer?
4
Medicine is used to kill cancer cells
It circulates throughout your body in the bloodstream so it can treat cancer cells almost anywhere in the body.
This is known as systemic treatment
It kills cells that are in the process of splitting into 2 new cells
How does radiotherapy help treat cancer?
3
Radiation is used to kill cancer cells
Its a type of ionising radiation (high energy) that destroys the cancer cells in the treated area by damaging the DNA of these cells.
Radiation also affects normal cells
What is remission?
A complete or partial disappearance of the signs + symptoms of a disease in response to treatment
