Grading and Staging of Neoplasms

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the grading, staging, diagnostic methods, and treatment modalities for neoplasms based on Dr. Ilija Arar's lecture notes.

Grading

Assessment based on the degree of differentiation of tumor cells and the number of mitoses within the tumor, typically ranked I – IV.

Staging

Assessment based on the size of the primary neoplasm, the extent of its spread to regional lymph nodes, and the presence or absence of metastases.

T (TNM system)

A staging component representing primary tumor size, ranked from $0-4$.

N (TNM system)

A staging component representing regional lymph node involvement, ranked from $0-3$.

M (TNM system)

A staging component representing metastases, ranked from $0-1$.

Tumor markers

Biochemical indicators, also known as tumor associated antigens, that signal the presence of a tumor.

Estrogen receptors (HER2)

Tumor markers associated specifically with breast carcinoma.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)

A tumor marker associated with liver carcinoma and testicular carcinoma.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

A tumor marker associated with colon, pancreas, and breast carcinoma.

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)

A tumor marker used in the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma.

CA125

A tumor marker used for identifying Ovarian Carcinoma.

Histological/cytological methods

Diagnostic laboratory methods including excision or biopsy, needle aspiration, and cytologic smears.

Conformal radiotherapy

A specific type of radiation therapy currently used as a treatment modality.

Gleason score

A histological grading system for prostate cancers with scores between $2-10$, derived from adding grades from two histological sites.

Gleason Grade ranking

Each histological site in the Gleason system is ranked from $1-5$ based on deviation from normal prostatic architecture.

“Gland units”

The relative loss of these complete structures is used to determine the Gleason score for prostate cancer.

Gene Therapy

A future treatment modality involving the use of tumor-targeting viruses.

Anti-angiogenic therapy

A potential future treatment modality for neoplasms.

Telomerase inactivation

A queried future treatment modality for cancer management.

Enzyme Inhibitors

A category listed under future treatment modalities for neoplasms.