NUR3125 Cancer Pathophysiology Flashcards

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering Cancer Biology (Chapter 11), Cancer Epidemiology (Chapter 12), and Pediatric Cancer (Chapter 13) from NUR3125.

Carcinoma

A malignant tumor arising from epithelial tissue.

Sarcoma

A malignant tumor arising from mesenchymal or connective tissue.

Adenocarcinoma

A malignant tumor arising from glandular epithelium.

Differentiation

The development of specialized cellular organization and function.

Anaplastic

Lacking cellular differentiation.

Pleomorphic

Having variable cell size and shape.

Transformation

The process by which a normal cell becomes a cancer cell.

Neoplasm

An abnormal new growth produced by uncontrolled cellular proliferation.

Driver Mutations

Mutations that actively promote malignant cellular behavior and cancer progression.

Passenger Mutations

Mutations present in a cancer cell that do not directly drive malignant behavior.

Proto-Oncogene

A normal gene supporting regulated cell growth that can become an oncogene through an activating mutation.

Tumor-Suppressor Genes

Genes that restrain cellular proliferation or promote appropriate cell death.

Caretaker Genes

Genes that maintain genomic stability, whose disruption increases the overall mutation rate.

Telomerase

An enzyme expressed by cancer cells that maintains protective telomeres at chromosome ends to allow continued division.

Angiogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels stimulated by tumor factors to supply nutrients and facilitate spread.

Autocrine Stimulation

A process occurring when a cancer cell secretes a growth factor that directly stimulates itself.

Warburg Effect

An altered metabolic pattern in which cancer cells favor glycolysis even when oxygen is available (aerobic glycolysis).

Cancer Stage

A metric describing the anatomic extent and physical spread of cancer throughout the body.

Cancer Grade

A metric describing cellular differentiation, microscopic appearance, and aggressiveness of a tumor.

TNM Classification System

A cancer staging system evaluating primary tumor size/extent (T), regional lymph node involvement (N), and distant metastasis (M).

Paraneoplastic Syndrome

A condition resulting from tumor-secreted substances or systemic immune effects occurring at sites distant from the primary tumor.

Mucositis

Painful inflammation and ulceration of oral and digestive tract mucous membranes resulting from cytotoxic therapy.

Mainstream Smoke

Tobacco smoke exhaled directly by a smoker.

Sidestream Smoke

Tobacco smoke emitted directly from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Secondhand smoke composed of smoke from a burning tobacco product combined with smoke exhaled by the smoker.

Xenobiotics

Chemicals not naturally synthesized in the human body that may be encountered in foods or the environment.

Nutrigenomics

The field of study investigating interactions between nutrition and individual genetic characteristics or expression.

Adipokines

Signaling molecules released by adipose tissue that influence systemic inflammation and insulin resistance.

Myokines

Signaling molecules released by exercising muscle tissue.

Radiation Bystander Effects

Cellular damage and physiological alterations occurring in nearby nonirradiated cells.

Transgenerational Effects

Radiation-induced genetic or cellular effects that persist into later generations that were not directly exposed.

Primary Prevention

Interventions focused on preventing cancer before it develops by reducing carcinogenic or infectious exposures.

Secondary Prevention

Interventions focused on detecting premalignancy or early-stage cancer through screening.

Tertiary Prevention

Interventions focused on managing treatment, preventing complications, and reducing disability after cancer diagnosis.

Embryonal Tumor

A pediatric cancer originating during fetal life that involves immature, developing tissues.

Retinoblastoma

A malignant eye tumor of early childhood associated with disabled tumor-suppressor genes.

Wilms Tumor

An embryonal renal tumor (nephroblastoma) in children that must not be repeatedly palpated due to rupture risk.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

The most common type of childhood cancer, involving malignant transformation of blood-forming cells.

Ectoderm

The primary embryonic germ layer that gives rise to the skin, nervous system, and sensory structures.

Mesoderm

The primary embryonic germ layer that gives rise to bone, muscle, blood, kidney, and connective tissue.

Endoderm

The primary embryonic germ layer that gives rise to epithelial linings, liver, pancreas, and lungs.

Leukocoria

An abnormal white pupillary reflex in a child that requires prompt evaluation for retinoblastoma.