Oncology Flashcards

Question

Why are parabens harmful

Answer 1

Have been found in breast tumours, can also mimic oestrogen hormone leading to oestrogen-driven cancers

Answer 2

Suppress immune system Increase cortisol & sympathetic NS Anaerobic environment forms which leads to acidity MHC-I antigen illustrates if damaged cell inside

Answer 3

HPV Human papilloma virus

Answer 4

Excess body fat changes hormone metabolism >> higher oestrogen >> drives oestrogen+ thmours Breast cancer is linked to post-menopausal women

Answer 5

- pro-inflammatory - red meats, charcoal/smoked/burnt - n-nitroso compounds in cured meats - excess alcohol - low fibre diet - refined sugars - dairy

Answer 6

Carcinogenic compounds produced by burning food

Answer 7

Pro-inflamm Contains IGFs that promote tumour growth Hormones added - is an endocrine disruptor

Answer 8

Measure of degree of tumour cell differentiation/abnormality Grade 1: similar to original cells, differentiated & specialised (benign) Grade 4: undifferentiated/many abnormal cell sizes & shapes

Answer 9

Classification of malignant tumours extent Helps to identify treatment approaches, disease progression & prognosis

Answer 10

0: pre-cancerous 1: cancer limited to tissue origin 2: limited local spread of cancer cells 3: extensive local & regional spread 4: distant metastasis

Answer 11

Tumour, Node, Metastases T(1-4): size of primary tumour N(0-3): degree of lymph node involvement M(0-1): metastases X = cannot be assessed

Answer 12

- Damages ‘space’ occupies - Can compress blood vessels leading necrosis of surrounding tissues & eventually its own leading to calcification (seen in Xray) - metastasise - pain occurs as later symptom by pressure or inflammation - obstruction can occur in tubes/ducts - tissue ulceration/inflammation may produce infection (especially in immunocompromised chemo/radiotherapy)

Answer 13

- weight loss & cachexia (but can still have strong appetite) - anaemia - infection (pneumonia) - para-neoplastic syndromes (secondary site symptoms)

Answer 14

Lung cancer tumour cells may produce ACTH (orother hormones) leading to cushing’s syndrome (excess cortisol)

Answer 15

Spread of a malignant tumour usually via blood or lymph Producing secondary tumours

Answer 16

Bone, liver, lung & brain Due to rich blood supply

Answer 17

Anaemia, fatigue Unexplained weight loss & cachexia Night sweats Unusual bleeding/discharge Persistent indigestion/heartburn Dysphagia Change in bowel habits Solid lump Persistent cough/hoarseness Swollen lymph nodes

Answer 18

1. Blood tests 2. Tumour markers 3. Imaging 4. Biopsies

Answer 19

A glycoprotein tumour marker present within normal mucosal cells Can be elevated in certain types of cancer, especially colorectal cancer & ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, liver cirrhosis

Answer 20

Protein produced by prostatic cells Present in small quantities in serum May be elevated in presence of prostate cancer & other prostate disorders Assists diagnosis & monitoring of tumour progression & metastasis but can produce false positives

Answer 21

Should only be produced during pregnancy, males do not produce Tests for cancer in testes, pancreas, pituitary, placenta

Answer 22

Not organ-specific so can present in many types Stool levels being investigated as a screening method for colorectal tumours

Answer 23

Protein elevated in many cases ovarian cancer Blood test ranges less than 35 U/mL

Answer 24

Elevated in breast cancer Blood ranges less than 30 U/mL

Answer 25

Combination or single - surgery - chemotherapy - radiation Aimed at removing/suppressing not treating cause - cancers often return !

Answer 26

Care focuses on reducing symptoms severity rather than ‘curing’ Seen in late stages, preventing complications is vital Focuses on quality of life!

Answer 27

Removal of breast

Answer 28

Removal of the prostate gland with a very high rate of side effects!

Answer 29

Removal of testes

Answer 30

Dividing a dose of radiotherapy for cancer patients

Answer 31

Affects cells which divide most rapidly (both cancerous & healthy) Causes loss of reproduction & induces apoptosis

Answer 32

Beams generated outside patient to target specific area

Answer 33

Probe inserted into body & releases within body cavity Eg cervical or colorectal

Answer 34

Radioactive material enters body to reach cells all over body (very harmful)

Answer 35

Chemical agents that enter the bloodstream & are destructive to malignant cells Target rapidly dividing cells (cannot distinguish between normal & cancer) Interfere with protein synthesis & DNA replication Different drug combinations for different cancers

Answer 36

- bone marrow depression = immunocompromised - diarrhoea, bleeding, vomiting, nausea - hair loss - sterility - organ damage & cancer (chemo)

Answer 37

- Oestrogens or anti-androgen drugs for prostate cancer - tamoxifen to block oestrogen receptors = side effects (induces menopause) - glucocorticosteroids (in lymphomas)

Answer 38

Interferon

Answer 39

opioid analgesics such as morphine (acts on CNS) to assist with symptomatic management (common in palliative)

Answer 40

“Cure” for cancer is defined by orthodox medicine as a 5 year survival without reoccurrence Cancer reoccurrence after this period is common Several periods of remission can occur before cancer becomes terminal

Answer 41

Cancers which form in epithelial tissue lining Skin, mouth, nose, throat, respiratory tract, lung, breast, prostate, stomach, intestines

Answer 42

Cancers which develop in connective tissue Bone, cartilage, muscles, tendons

Answer 43

Cancers which evolve in blood & bone marrow Abnormal leukocytes produced travel throughout the bloodstream Do NOT form solid tumours, but invade other cells

Answer 44

Peak incidence between 60-70, men 3:1 90% due to smoking Frequently follows COPD Most commonly follows secondary tumour eg colorectal, osteosarcoma, prostate Low prognosis 15%

Answer 45

- Common >50yrs & developed countries - Strong link with diet high in meat -(processed, smoked, excess salt), low fibre, lack of vitamin D - Polyps - Family history Secondary complications of liver due to portal vein

Answer 46

(90% benign) Benign = pain/tenderness/mobile/smooth/regular borders Malignant = asymptomatic, painless, unilateral fixed lump, overlying skin changes i.e dimpling, asymmetry of breasts, inverted & discharging nipple, enlarged lymph nodes

Answer 47

Breast cancer cells contain receptors that hormones or other proteins bind to & promote tumour growth - receptors are most commonly for oestrogen (80% cases oestrogen dominant) as it builds & grows tissue - progesterone receptors (65%) - epidermal growth factor receptors (20%) - tumour with no receptor types ‘triple negative’ more lethal (15%)

Answer 48

- high oestrogen exposure increases risk i.e endogenous (excess formed within body) or exogenous (from outside eg contraceptive pill) - longer reproductive life leading to higher oestrogen exposure - BPA mimics oestrogen - aluminium & parabens in antiperspirants (both been found in tumours) - IGF1 in dairy - BRCA 1&2 gene mutations - consider environment that promotes risk (only 5% total cases)

Answer 49

Safer & more effective to detect earlier changes Cancer cells divide undergoing angiogenesis aka growing new blood vessels for own blood supply which gives off detectable heat

Answer 50

- high oestrogen exposure (as in breast cancer risks) - family history - BRCA 1&2 gene mutations - infertility/never birthed - poor lifestyle: exercise, obesity, smokers - diet rich in animal fats - common >40 - most LETHAL gynaelogical malignancy - talcum powder between legs

Answer 51

- persistent HPV infection (16+18 cause 70% cases) - sexual behaviour (multiple partners) - smoking, COCP - most common cancer in young women 25-35 - 20% of all female cancers

Answer 52

Spreading along peritoneum & can cause secondary cancer in bowel/colorectal

Answer 53

- diet rich in salted, pickled & smoked foods (N-nitroso compounds) - male, smoking, age >55 - H pylori infection - low fruit & veg - highest rates in eastern asia (korea & japan)

Answer 54

- chronic irritation, alcohol, smoking - GORD & Barretts oesophagus (75% be obstructed before syMptoms present)

Answer 55

- poorly understood disease - most arise from exocrine cells - less common endocrine Islet cells (pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour): presents as glucose intolerance & insulin problems - age >40, family history (germ line defects in 5-10%) - smoking - other health condition (diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, H pylori)

Answer 56

Obesity High meat consumption (chargrilled), dairy, saturated fays, refined sugars Increasing age >50yrs Sexual abstinence

Answer 57

- Smoking (amines/hydrocarbons = carcinogens pooling in the bladder & inducing mutations) - Chronic cystitis - increasing age (70-80) (Painless haematuria = red flag!)

Answer 58

Most common in young men 15-35 Higher risk if undescended testes & family history

Oncology Flashcards

(82 cards)