Exam 2

Cancer

Leading cause of death in adults globally.

Neoplasia

Abnormal tissue growth exceeding normal tissue.

Tumor

Swelling caused by various conditions.

Benign Neoplasm

Well-differentiated cells, localized growth.

Cell Differentiation

Process by which cells become specialized.

Hypertrophy

Increase in cell size, not number.

Hyperplasia

Increase in cell number, not size.

Fibrous Capsule

Connective tissue surrounding benign tumors.

Ischemia

Insufficient blood supply to tissues.

Survival Rates

The percentage of patients living for a specific duration after diagnosis, influenced by cancer type, early detection, treatment options, and healthcare access.

External Factors

Environmental influences that increase cancer risk, such as tobacco use, radiation exposure, harmful chemicals, pollutants, and lifestyle choices like diet and exercise.

Internal Factors

Genetic and biological influences on cancer risk, such as inherited mutations and hormonal levels.

Secondary Tumors

Also known as metastatic tumors, are new growths that form when cancer cells spread from the primary site (the original tumor) to distant parts of the body

Rate of Growth

the speed at which a tumor increases in size over time

Capacity to Invade

a tumor's ability to infiltrate and penetrate surrounding healthy tissues and structures

Potential for Death

Risk associated with tumor type, stage of diagnosis and biological behavior.

Hormone Production

Some benign tumors produce hormones abnormally.

Cytokines

a diverse group of small proteins that are vital in cell signaling during immune responses.

Solid Tumors

masses of tissue that are confined to specific tissues or organs in the body

Hematologic Cancers

Cancers affecting blood and bone marrow.

Inflammatory Response

Body's reaction that can damage normal tissue.

Well-Differentiated Cells

Cells that closely resemble normal tissue.

Progressive Growth

Continuous increase in tumor size.

Pressure Effects

disturbances and complications caused by tumors exerting pressure on nearby structures and tissues

Cancer Treatment

Methods to manage or eliminate cancer.

Metastasis

Spread of tumor cells to distant sites.

Hematologic cancers

Cancers involving blood and lymph cells.

Carcinoma in situ

localized preinvasive lesion where abnormal cancerous cells are confined to the epithelial layer and have not invaded surrounding tissues

Abnormal proliferation

Rapid and uncontrolled cell growth.

Loss of differentiation

Cells lack normal features of differentiated cells.

Anaplasia

Loss of cell differentiation in cancerous tissue.

Undifferentiated tumors

Tumors with cells resembling embryonic cells.

Genetic instability

Hallmark of cancer involving chromosomal abnormalities.

Aneuploidy

Loss or gain of chromosomes in cells.

Intrachromosomal instability

Insertions, deletions, and amplifications in DNA.

Microsatellite instability

Changes in short repetitive DNA sequences.

Point mutations

Alterations in a single nucleotide of DNA.

Growth factor independence

Cancer cells proliferate without external growth factors.

Contact inhibition

Growth cessation upon cell density reaching a limit.

Anchorage independence

Cancer cells grow without attachment to other cells.

Faulty cell communication

Impaired signaling between cancer cells.

Unlimited lifespan

Cancer cells divide indefinitely in culture.

Telomeres

Chromosome ends that shorten with each division.

Telomerase

Enzyme that maintains telomere length in cancer cells.

Tumor antigens

Surface molecules identified as foreign by the immune system.

Fetal antigens

Antigens not produced by adult cells, found in some cancers.

Intercellular connections

Connections between cells that may be impaired in cancer.

Bizarre mitotic figures

Atypical cell division patterns in undifferentiated tumors.

High mitosis rate

Increased cell division in undifferentiated tumors.

Morphologic changes

Structural alterations in undifferentiated cancer cells.

Recurrence chances

Likelihood of cancer returning after treatment.

Surgical removal

Procedure to excise localized tumors.

Progressive growth

Continuous increase in tumor size or spread.

Cancer cells

Cells that proliferate uncontrollably, invading tissues.

Degradative enzymes

Enzymes that break down tissues, aiding invasion.

Hormone synthesis

Production of hormones by cancer cells.

Procoagulant substances

Substances affecting blood clotting mechanisms.

Cytoskeletal changes

Alterations in cell structure affecting movement.

Intermediate filaments

Cytoskeletal components involved in cell integrity.

Actin filaments

Protein filaments facilitating cell movement and shape.

Microtubules

Cylindrical structures aiding in cell division.

Invasion

Direct penetration of cancer cells into tissues.

Metastatic spread

Dissemination of cancer cells to distant sites.

Seeding

Release of cancer cells into body cavities.

Peritoneal cavity

Abdominal cavity often involved in cancer seeding.

Pleural cavity

Space surrounding the lungs, can harbor cancer cells.

Metastasis

Formation of secondary tumors away from primary site.

Sentinel node

First lymph node draining the primary tumor.

Hematologic spread

Cancer spread through the bloodstream.

Extracellular matrix

Network providing structural support to tissues.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)

Process allowing epithelial cells to become migratory.

Proteolytic enzymes

Enzymes that degrade proteins in the extracellular matrix.

Micro metastases

Small clusters of cancer cells in new locations.

Blood supply establishment

Formation of blood vessels to support tumor growth.

Cell cycle

Series of phases for cell division and replication.

Lymphatic system

Network transporting lymph, involved in cancer spread.

Tumor characteristics

Unique features aiding identification of tumor origin.

Adhesion molecules

Proteins facilitating cell attachment to extracellular matrix.

Tumor invasion mechanisms

Steps by which tumors penetrate surrounding tissues.

Cancer cell ecosystem

Microenvironment supporting cancer cell survival and spread.

Metastatic tumor growth

Expansion of cancer cells at distant sites.

Cell Cycle

Sequence of phases for cell division.

Dividing Cells

Cells actively undergoing the cell cycle.

Growth Fraction

Ratio of dividing (proliferating) cells to the total number of cells within a tumor

Doubling Time

The time takes for a tumor cell mass to double in size, reflecting the growth rate of the tumor

Cancer Cell Cycle

the series of phases that cancer cells undergo for division and replication, which is similar to the cell cycle of normal cells

Cell Pool

Active cells engaged in the cell cycle.

Cell Loss

Rate of cells lost vs produced.

Tumor Growth Rate

the speed at which a tumor increases in size over time

Genetic Damage

Mutations leading to cancer transformation.

Epigenetic Factors

Gene silencing affecting cancer development.

Microenvironment

Surrounding cells and factors influencing cancer.

Proto-Oncogenes

normal genes that play crucial roles in cellular growth, division, and differentiation

Oncogenes

Mutated genes promoting uncontrolled cell division.

Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes inhibiting cell proliferation.

Retinoblastoma Gene

Prevents cell division under normal conditions.

TP53 Gene

Activates apoptosis in DNA-damaged cells.

Chromosomal Translocations

Genetic alterations linked to specific cancers.

Gene Amplification

Increased gene copies leading to overexpression.

Cytokines

They are produced by various cells, including immune cells like macrophages, lymphocytes, and other types