Neoplasia Flashcards
- Define and contrast a proto-oncogene and a tumor suppressor gene.
proto-oncogenes are proteins that make the cell division process normal.
tumor suppressor genes block the mutation of the DNA so the dangerous/cancer cells do not divide.
- How does p53 work to protect the genome (the DNA)?
if anything is wrong in cell division or mutants are going to come, p53 will work to stop the progression of the cell cycle so that the cell will not divide
- Define: neoplasia, tumor, cancer, malignant, benign, anaplasia, metastasis, and angiogenesis.
neoplasia: new cell growth
tumor: overgrowth of cells
benign: non-threatening
malignant: threatening
metastasis: movement of cells
angiogenesis: the creation or growth of new blood vessels.
anaplasia: the loss of the mature or specialized features of a cell or tissue, as in malignant tumors.
- List and contrast the characteristics of benign vs malignant tumors.
benign: slow, progressive rate of growth, will stop growing after a certain amount of time, do not go outside of the area where they are localized (inability to metastasize)
malignant: grow rapidly and spread widely, kill regardless of their location, compress blood supply where they live, rob normal tissues of essential nutrients, inflammatory response
- Describe the significance of a sentinel lymph node.
A sentinel lymph node is defined as the first lymph node to which cancer cells are most likely to spread from a primary tumor.
Explain how a cancer cell metastasizes from the primary tumor including how it travels to another site.
In metastasis, cancer cells break away from the original (primary) tumor, TRAVEL THROUGH THE BLOOD OR LYMPH SYSTEM and form a new tumor in other organs or tissues of the body.
- Describe the role of proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes (focus on the the P53 gene) in the development of cancer.
proto-oncogenes: normal genes that code for proteins that regulate normal cell growth and cell differentiation
p53: the guardian of our DNA, by regulating and repairing damaged DNA.
If a defect is found in the p53 gene, then you will be more susceptible to cancer.
- Contrast proto-oncogene with oncogene.
proto-oncogene: A gene involved in normal cell growth, if a mutant comes it stops it.
oncogene: An oncogene is a gene that has the potential to cause cancer. In tumor cells, these genes are often mutated or expressed at high levels.
- How do DNA repair defects promote oncogenesis?
Defects in DNA repair pathways enable cancer cells to accumulate genomic alterations that contribute to their aggressive phenotype.
- Trace the steps of carcinogenesis through initiation, promotion, and progression.
INITATION:
Cells exposed to doses of carcinogenic agents making them susceptible to malignant transformation
PROMOTION:
Unregulated accelerated growth in already initiated cells caused by various chemicals and growth factors
PROGRESSION:
Tumor cells acquire malignant phenotypic changes that promote invasiveness, metastatic competence, autonomous growth tendencies, and increased karyotypic instability.
- List and explain risk factors for developing cancer (host)
Heredity: BRCA1 and BRCA2
Hormones: estrogen and testosterone: can enhance cell division in cancer
Stem cells: Cancer stem cells exhibit self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation capabilities and can sustain a cancer
Angiogenesis
Angiogenic factor production or loss of angiogenic inhibitors
Gives tumors a source of oxygen and nutrients by promoting new blood vessel growth
- Describe the general effects of cancer on body systems, including pain, weight loss, disruptions to tissue integrity, fatigue and sleep disorders, immune system suppression, bone marrow suppression (and effects to hematologic system).
tissue integrity: Compressed and eroded blood vessels; ulceration and necrosis; frank bleeding and hemorrhage–Sore that does not heal— Fluid in pleural, pericardial, or peritoneal spaces
pain:
weight loss: people with cancer will lose weight without trying to.
fatigue and sleep disorders: really tried easily, don’t sleep well, can get anemias.
immune system and bone marrow suppression:
- Define and explain mechanisms of anorexia and cachexia in cancer.
Weight loss and wasting of body fat and muscle tissue; profound weakness, anorexia and seen many times with solid tumors
Cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome
Hypermetabolic state and altered nutrition metabolism: not improved by eating
Visceral proteins preserved unlike starvation where muscle and visceral protein loss seen
list risk factors for development of cancer (environmental)
Chemical: smoking, fried foods, smoked meats, fat, red meat, alcohol
Radiation: ionizing and ultraviolet
Viruses: Leukemia/lymphomas and HPV, EBV, HBV
- Differentiate between grading and staging of tumors.
Grading according to cellular characteristics of tumor
Staging according to clinical spread of the disease
Grading is level of differentiation I, II, III, IV with increasing lack of differentiation.
