Neoplastic Disease

Question 1

What is a neoplasm?

Answer 1

A new and abnormal growth of tissue (neo = new, plasm = growth).

Question 2

What is cancer?

Answer 2

A malignant form of neoplasm characterized by unregulated growth and spread.

Question 3

What is the main difference between benign and malignant tumors?

Answer 3

Malignant tumors invade surrounding tissues and spread; benign tumors do not.

Question 4

How do malignant tumors begin?

Answer 4

From a single cell that sustains DNA damage and undergoes abnormal proliferation.

Question 5

What is angiogenesis in the context of tumors?

Answer 5

The process by which tumors stimulate new blood vessel formation to supply nutrients.

Question 6

What happens if a malignant tumor outgrows its blood supply?

Answer 6

The area with the poorest blood supply may die (necrosis).

Question 7

What are major etiologic factors in cancer?

Answer 7

Genetic mutations, heredity, immune failure, and certain viruses.

Question 8

Name three classes of cancer-related genes.

Answer 8

Proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA repair genes.

Question 9

What is a proto-oncogene?

Answer 9

A normal gene that promotes cell growth or division; can become an oncogene if mutated.

Question 10

What is an oncogene?

Answer 10

A mutated gene that causes uncontrolled cell growth.

Question 11

What is the role of the c-Sis gene?

Answer 11

It codes for PDGF, which when mutated can create a self-sustaining growth loop (autocrine loop).

Question 12

What is a tumor suppressor gene?

Answer 12

A gene that normally inhibits cell division; both copies must be inactivated to cause cancer.

Question 13

What is the RB gene?

Answer 13

A tumor suppressor gene; loss of both copies can lead to retinoblastoma.

Question 14

What is TP53?

Answer 14

A tumor suppressor gene often mutated in various cancers.

Question 15

What do DNA repair genes do?

Answer 15

Detect and repair DNA damage during cell division.

Question 16

Which DNA repair genes are linked to breast and ovarian cancer?

Answer 16

BRCA-1 and BRCA-2.

Question 17

Why is cancer considered a multistep process?

Answer 17

Multiple mutations are usually needed, including oncogene activation and loss of tumor suppressor function.

Question 18

How is susceptibility to cancer inherited?

Answer 18

Through multifactorial inheritance or mutations in specific genes like BRCA.

Question 19

What are the five general categories of malignant tumors?

Answer 19

Carcinoma, sarcoma, leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma.

Question 20

What is leukemia?

Answer 20

Cancer of the blood-forming tissue characterized by abnormal white cells in blood and marrow.

Question 21

What are the effects of leukemia on the body?

Answer 21

Anemia, thrombocytopenia, infections, and organ enlargement due to infiltration.

Question 22

What is multiple myeloma?

Answer 22

Cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow that leads to bone damage and fractures.

Question 23

How does multiple myeloma differ from leukemia?

Answer 23

It usually remains confined to the bone marrow and doesn’t infiltrate other organs.

Question 24

What is lymphoma?

Answer 24

Cancer of the lymphatic tissue.

Question 25

What are the two major types of lymphoma?

Answer 25

Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Question 26

What cell is characteristic of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Answer 26

Reed-Sternberg cell.

Question 27

What is a Reed-Sternberg cell?

Answer 27

A large B cell with two nuclei, typical of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Question 28

Who does Hodgkin’s lymphoma typically affect?

Answer 28

Young adults.

Question 29

What is the treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Answer 29

Chemotherapy and radiation.

Question 30

What distinguishes non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Answer 30

Includes many types; more common in older adults; often widespread at diagnosis.

Question 31

What are common causes of cancer development?

Answer 31

Genetic mutations, immune dysfunction, viral infections, inherited risk factors.

Question 32

What are the clinical signs of bone marrow failure in leukemia?

Answer 32

Anemia, increased risk of bleeding, and infections due to lack of functional blood cells.

Question 33

How can a single gene mutation lead to cancer?

Answer 33

It often cannot—multiple mutations are typically required (multistep model).

Question 34

Why are tumor suppressor gene mutations dangerous?

Answer 34

Loss of both copies removes cellular control over proliferation.

Question 35

How does heredity influence cancer risk?

Answer 35

People may inherit genes that increase their susceptibility to cancer (e.g., BRCA mutations).

Question 36

What is the difference between carcinoma and sarcoma?

Answer 36

Carcinoma arises from epithelial cells; sarcoma from connective tissue.