Neoplasm

Question 1

neoplasm

Answer 1

-uncontrolled growth of anaplastic cells

-Can metastasize to distant sites

caused by mutations in a cell’s gene, genomic instability, and/or inflammation

Question 2

Neoplasia

Answer 2

new growth or tumor

“OMA” at the end of a word refers to a tumor
-Adenoma
-Carcinoma
-Papilloma-micro/macroscopic finger-like projections (are benign)

Question 3

Carcinoma

Answer 3

Originate in epithelial tissue

Question 4

Adenocarcinoma

Answer 4

Originate in glandular tissue, that form mucus or fluid.

Examples: lung, breast, prostate, or colon

Question 5

Sarcoma

Answer 5

Originate in connective or supportive tissue

examples: bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, cartilage and blood vessels of the arms and legs

ex-Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)

Question 6

Hematologic (Liquid) Malignancies

Answer 6

May be describes as liquid or blood cancers
-Leukemia

-Lymphoma
Hodgkin or Non-Hodgkin

-Multiple myeloma (plasma cell cancer)

-Myelodysplastic Syndrome
(Group of disorders caused by blood cells that are poorly formed)

Question 7

Carcinogens

Answer 7

Physical:
Ionizing radiation
Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight

Chemical:
Asbestos- Old buildings, mold
Arsenic- chemical element
Benzene
Ethylene oxide
Tobacco smoke

Viruses:
HPV
HIV
Flaviviruses
Retroviruses

Question 8

Pro-oncogene

Answer 8

Genes that code for proteins involved in normal cell growth

When mutated, enable cancer cell to grow uncontrollably

group of genes that cause normal cells to become cancerous when they are mutated

Question 9

Tumor Suppressor Gene

Answer 9

Normally help control cell proliferation

When mutated, genes no longer suppress proliferation
Example: BRCA1 and BRCA2
(seen mostly in Breast cancer)

Question 10

DNA Repair Genes

Answer 10

Allow cells to repair DNA damage

Five pathways – active a different stages of the cell cycle

If not corrected can lead to a mutation that can lead to cancer formation
BRCA1
BRCA2
HER 2

Question 11

Epigenetic changes

Answer 11

Mechanism that alters the physical structure of DNA

May change the activity of a gene without changing the sequence of DNA

Normally, tells genes when to turn on or off

Newer area of cancer research

Question 12

Chromosome Translocation

Answer 12

Occurs when one piece of a chromosome moves to another chromosome

This genetic alteration activates an oncogene

Example:
The BCR gene on chromosome 9 is fused to the ABL gene on chromosome 22 (Philadelphia chromosome)

Question 13

Genetic Instability

Answer 13

mutation present in all the tumor cells of a tumor sample or biopsy.

Defective mechanisms that lead to increased rate of genetic alterations

Clonal evolution of tumor cells

Classic sign of cancer

Question 14

Inflammation

Answer 14

Enhances the process of carcinogenesis

Question 15

Pleiomorphism

Answer 15

cells in various shapes and sizes

Question 16

Hyperchromatism

Answer 16

nuclear chromatin more pronounced with staining

A cell that contains more than the normal number of chromosomes and hence stains more densely.

Question 17

Polymorphism

Answer 17

nucleus enlarges and variable in shape

Question 18

Translocation

Answer 18

exchange of chromosomal material

Question 19

Aneuploidy

Answer 19

abnormal # of chromosomes

Question 20

Deletions

Answer 20

loss of chromosome segment

Question 21

Amplification

Answer 21

increase number of copies of a DNA sequence

Question 22

Grading = Degree of Differentiation

Answer 22

Grade 1 – well-differentiated (low grade)

Grade 2 – moderate differentiated or intermediate grade

Grade 3 – poorly differentiated or high grade

Grade 4 – undifferentiated or unable to tell where cell came from

Question 23

Anaplasia

Answer 23

lack of cellular differentiation

Hallmark sign of cancer

The term anaplasia means “to form backward,

Question 24

Normal Cell Growth

Answer 24

Well differentiated
Controlled, slow growth
Uniform shape
Cellular communication
Encapsulated
Cell cohesiveness
Mortal (apoptosis)

Question 25

Malignant Cells

Answer 25

Poorly differentiated Abnormal appearance Lack of cohesiveness Rapid, disorderly division Loss of cellular communication Invasive, capable of spreading Immortal (avoid apoptosis)

Question 26

Symptoms of metastatic disease

Answer 26

Shortness of breath Pain Headache Seizures

Question 27

Clinical Manifestations of cancer

Answer 27

Anorexia/Cachexia Bleeding Immunosuppression Infections Weight loss Fatigue Pain Sleep disorders

Question 28

Paraneoplastic syndromes

Answer 28

-Caused by the cancer -May be presenting sign group of rare disorders that are triggered by an abnormal immune system response to a cancerous tumor known as a "neoplasm." Paraneoplastic syndromes are thought to happen when cancer-fighting antibodies or white blood cells (known as T cells) mistakenly attack normal cells in the nervous system. Types SIADH Cushing’s Hypercalcemia Venous thrombosis

Question 29

Treatment of Cancer

Answer 29

Surgery Radiation Therapy Chemotherapy Targeted Therapy/Biotherapy Immunotherapy

Question 30

What is Chemotherapy

Answer 30

Is systemic therapy Works at the cellular level on cells Some drugs are cell cycle specific, while others are cell cycle non-specific Toxicities and adverse effects are based on its effect on particular cells Drugs are grouped into various classes based on their cellular activity and pharmacologic properties of the drug specific to the cancer being treated.

Question 31

What is biotherapy/immunotherapy

Answer 31

The use of natural and manufactured substances derived from the body to: Stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system -Uses antibodies to fight cancer -Change or modify the relationship between the cancer and the host Targeted therapy -Blocks a specific receptor -Attaches to a specific receptor to assist the immune system to kill the cancer -Carries chemotherapy or a radioisotope into the cell Immunotherapy helps effector cells in the body to become activated and/or enhanced results in targeted cancer cell death

Question 32

Neoadjuvant therapy

Answer 32

Neoadjuvant refers to chemotherapy that is given prior to surgery Goal is to shrink tumor size before therapy

Question 33

Adjuvant therapy

Answer 33

Adjuvant refers to chemotherapy that is administered post-surgery Goal is to target minimal disease or micro metastasis

Question 34

Conditioning or preparative therapy

Answer 34

Given before chemo Goal is to empty marrow space prior to transplant or to eliminate residual disease To provide adequate immunosuppression to prevent rejection of the transplanted graft. To eradicate the disease for which the transplant is being performed.

Question 35

Immunosuppression

Answer 35

To blunt immune response

Question 36

Proto oncogene vs oncogene

Answer 36

A mutated (changed) form of a type of gene called a proto-oncogene, which is involved in normal cell growth and division. When a proto-oncogene is changed so that too many copies are made or it becomes more active than normal, it is called an oncogene.

Question 37

Oncogenes

Answer 37

A mutated (changed) form of a type of gene called a proto-oncogene, which is involved in normal cell growth and division.