Ch. 18: Cancer

ultimately, what is the underlying cause of cancer?

changes to DNA

what is normal cell behavior? (4)

respond to growth signals properly, limited cell division, undergo cell death properly, localizes and adheres

what is it called when the order of DNA is changed?

a mutation

what things can cause mutations?

tobacco, viruses, alcohol, processed meat, diesel exhaust, pollution, asbestos

what can happen to the number of chromosomes if there are mutations and epigenetic changes?

there may be changes to the number of chromosomes. they may be in pairs greater than two or absent entirely

what has been linked to a loss of tumor suppressor gene function?

adding methyl groups to DNA

what are some characteristics of cancer cells?

several mutations and/or epigenetic changes, do not stay localized, unlimited cell division, absence of cell death, angiogenesis, metastasis

the formation of new blood vessels to supply a tumor with nutrients and remove waste to help the tumor grow is called?

angiogenesis

what is it called when a cancer cell is able to invade and move to allow the cancer to spread?

metastasis

what is hyperplasia?

when the rate of cell division is above normal

is hyperplasia always bad?

no. during pregnancy, breast tissue increases at rates above normal

characteristics of a benign tumor?

does not grow in an aggressive and unlimited manner, does not invade surrounding tissues, can often be removed, not cancerous

characteristics of malignant tumor?

cancerous and do invade surrounding tissues, metastasize

what is it called when cells change in form to an abnormal shape and unequal size and have a highly pigmented nucleus?

dysplasia

dysplasic cells have…

small cytoplasm, multiple nuclei, multiple and large nucleoli, coarse chromatin

what is the most common type of cancer in the US?

skin cancer

what is the kind of cancer that kills the most people per year in the US?

lung cancer

tumor is small and has not grown outside the organ it started in

stage 1 cancer

tumor is larger than stage 1 but has not spread to nearby tissues

stage 2 cancer

tumor is large and has spread to nearby tissues and lymph nodes

stage 3 cancer

tumor has spread through the blood or lymphatic system to a distant site in the body

stage 4 cancer

why is it important to catch cancer in stages 1 or 2?

chances of survival are much higher

name cancer risk factors

- tobacco use

- high fat, low fiber diet

- eating a lot of red meat

- lack of exercise

- obesity

- excess alcohol consumption

- excess exposure to sunlight

- increasing age

- family history

- certain viruses (hep. B and C, HIV)

- chronic stress

what are some common cancer therapies?

chemotherapy, radiation, surgery

what is the issue with chemotherapy and radiation?

it will kill any rapidly dividing cells, like hair and immune cells

cancer is the ____ leading cause of death in the US

2nd

how do cancer cells behave?

DNA/epigenetic changes, do not stay localized, unlimited cell division, absence of cell death, angiogenesis, metastasis

how do normal cells control damaged DNA?

detect DNA and repair it or activate cell death