Week 2 Lecture Bites Cancer

Question 1

Cancer

Answer 1

Groups of disease
Characterised by uncontrolled or abnormal division
Tumor - excess tissue that develops
- malignant or benign
-metastasis (malignant)

Nomenclature relates to the tissue
- carcinomas, melanomas, sarcomas, leukaemia , lymphoma

Question 2

Growth of cancer

Answer 2

Carcinogenesis- multi step process with several mutations
Malignant tumours rapidly and continuously grow
Angiogenesis can occur
— tumor angiogenesis factor overproduced
— lack of angiogenesis inhibitors
Competes for space and nutrients
—normal tissue is reduced and may die
— pain/ loss of function

Secondary tumours

Question 3

causes of cancer carcinogens and oncogenes

Answer 3

Carcinogens
— environmental - cigarette tar, food, UV rays in sunlight ( 40% of all cancer deaths are related to smoking)
—chemical agent or radiation
—induce mutations in our genes

Oncogenes
Derived from pronto-oncogenes (growth and development )
—inappropriately expressed
—excessive products
—inappropriate times

Question 4

Causes of cancer oncogenic viruses and chronic inflammation

Answer 4

Oncogenic viruses
— stimulate abnormal cell proliferation
Eg HPV and cervical cancer - p53 (suppressor protein) is destroyed
Eg hepatitis B and C - liver cancer

Chronic inflammation
-chronic gastritis and stomach cancer
-chronic hepatitis and liver cancer
-ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer

Question 5

Treatment of cancer

Answer 5

Surgery
Chemotherapy
— DNA damage and apoptosis
Radiation
—prevent cell division

Side effects
-hair follicle cells, GI tract cells, white blood cells

Immunotherapy
Targeted therapy
Stem cell transplant
Hormone therapy