Cancer - Student Lesson Outline and Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering cancer statistics, definition, six hallmarks, benign vs. malignant tumors, metastasis, specific types of cancer, prevention strategies, diagnostic tests, and treatment options from the student lesson outline.

Cancer

A group of diseases in which cells grow out of control, resulting from a change (mutation) in DNA that prevents normal cell function and can spread to different parts of the body.

Six Hallmarks of Cancer

1. Cell growth and division absent the proper signals; 2. Continuous growth and division even given contrary signals; 3. Avoidance of programmed cell death; 4. Limitless number of cell divisions; 5. Promoting blood vessel construction; 6. Invasion of additional tissue in the body.

Benign Tumor

A mass of cells that lacks the ability to invade neighboring tissue or metastasize (spread throughout the body); usually does not grow back when removed and is generally not life-threatening unless in the brain.

Malignant Tumor

A mass of cells that interferes with the functioning of neighboring cells, creates its own blood supply, and can break away to invade other parts of the body via the bloodstream.

Metastasis

The process by which cancer cells breakaway from the original group and move throughout the body via the bloodstream to invade other tissues and lead to other cancers.

Carcinogens

Environmental factors that cause mutations in DNA, such as tobacco smoke, radiation, sunlight, and certain viruses.

Leukemia

Cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues in which the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells that cannot fight infection properly, causing life-threatening infections, anemia, bruising, and bleeding.

Teratoma

A growth inside the body whose name means "monster tumor".

Endoscope

A camera attached to the end of a tube inserted into an area and controlled by a doctor, allowing them to see abnormal growths without surgery.

CT Scan (Cat Scan)

An imaging technique taking multiple X-rays from different angles to create a detailed image of internal body structures.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

An imaging technique using radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create detailed images (more detailed than a CT) that can be assembled into a 3D picture.

Biopsy

A procedure where a doctor removes a sample of tissue from an abnormal area so a pathologist can examine it under a microscope to confirm if cancer cells are present.

Chemotherapy

Treatment that uses chemical drugs (injected or in pill form) that travel throughout the body to slow or stop cancer cells from dividing and kill both detected and undetected tumors.

Radiation Therapy

Treatment using high-energy radiation (X-rays, gamma rays, and charged particles) to kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA.

Cancer Immunotherapy

An emerging cancer treatment that stimulates the body's own immune system to treat cancer.

CRISPR

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats; an emerging gene editing treatment that alters a patient's DNA to address specific genetic mutations.

Vaccines to Treat Cancer

Vaccines made up of cancer cells or antigens designed to recognize proteins on certain cancer cells, helping the immune system recognize and attack them.

Cancer

A group of diseases in which cells grow out of control due to a change (mutation) in the DNA, preventing normal cells from functioning properly and potentially spreading to different parts of the body.

The Six Hallmarks of Cancer

Six characteristic cellular alterations in cancer: 1) Cell growth and division absent proper signals, 2) Continuous growth and division even given contrary signals, 3) Avoidance of programmed cell death, 4) Limitless number of cell divisions, 5) Promoting blood vessel construction, and 6) Invasion of additional tissue in the body.

Benign Tumor

A mass of cells that lacks the ability to invade neighboring tissue or metastasize; they can get very large, usually do not grow back when removed, and are generally not life-threatening unless located in the brain.

Malignant Tumor

A mass of cells that interferes with the functioning of neighboring cells, can get so large that it creates its own blood supply, and invades other parts of the body via the bloodstream.

Metastasis

The process in which cancer cells break away from the original group and move throughout the body via the bloodstream to invade other tissues and cause other kinds of cancers.

Carcinogens

Environmental factors that cause mutations in DNA leading to cancer, including tobacco smoke, radiation, sunlight, and viruses such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Teratoma

A growth inside the body whose name literally means 'monster tumor'.

Endoscope

A camera attached to the end of a tube that is inserted into an area and controlled by a doctor, allowing the doctor to see abnormal growths without surgery.

X-ray

An imaging technique that allows a doctor to view images of body parts and look for shadows that indicate abnormal growths.

Ultrasound

An imaging technique that creates a digital image of soft body tissues, such as the heart or liver.

CT Scan (CAT Scan)

A diagnostic test taking multiple X-rays from different angles to create a detailed image of body tissues and structures.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

An imaging technique using radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create images more detailed than a CT scan, which can then be assembled into a $3\text{D}$ picture.

Biopsy

A procedure in which a doctor removes a sample of tissue or the entire abnormal area so a pathologist can examine it under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are present.

Surgery (Cancer Treatment)

Typically the first step in cancer treatment if a tumor is accessible, performed to remove the cancerous cells.

Chemotherapy

A cancer treatment using chemical drugs injected or taken in pill form that travel throughout the body to slow or stop cancer cells from dividing and attempt to kill detected as well as undetected tumors.

Radiation Therapy

A cancer treatment using high-energy radiation (X-rays, gamma rays, and charged particles) to kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA.

Cancer Immunotherapy

An emerging treatment method that stimulates the body's own immune system to treat cancer.

CRISPR

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats; an emerging gene-editing technique used to alter a patient's DNA by identifying specific mutations.

Cancer Vaccines

Treatments made up of cancer cells or antigens designed to recognize proteins on specific cancer cells, helping the immune system recognize and attack them.

Leukemia

Cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues (bone marrow) involving abnormal white blood cells that cannot fight infection, causing suppressed production of red blood cells, anemia, bruising, bleeding, and life-threatening infections.

Lung Cancer

One of the most common types of cancer, where smoking causes about $8$ out of $10$ cases and increases the risk of spreading to other organs via metastasis.

Skin Cancer

A common cancer caused by exposure to UV light from the sun, tanning beds, or sun lamps that damages DNA; exposure from indoor tanning before age $35$ increases the risk of melanoma.

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors in Cancer

Factors responsible for overall $90\%-95\%$ of cancer cases due to genetic mutations, including tobacco use (causing about $22\%$ of cancer deaths), poor diet, obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, radiation, and environmental pollutants.

Inherited Genetic Defects in Cancer

Genetic defects passed down from a person's parents that account for approximately $5\%-10\%$ of all cancer cases.

Most Common Male Cancers

The most common types of cancer in males: lung cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and stomach cancer.

Most Common Female Cancers

The most common types of cancer in females: breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and cervical cancer.

Strategies for Cancer Prevention

Seven main Mayo Clinic strategies to reduce risk: 1) Don't use tobacco, 2) Eat a healthy diet, 3) Be physically active ($150\text{ minutes}$ moderate or $75\text{ minutes}$ vigorous per week) and maintain a healthy weight, 4) Protect yourself from the sun, 5) Get vaccinated, 6) Avoid risky behaviors, and 7) Get regular medical care.