CH 7 - Altered Cellular Proliferation and Differentiation

Vocabulary flashcards covering core cancer concepts, mechanisms, classifications, diagnostics, treatments, and specific disease entities from Chapter 7 lecture notes.

Cellular proliferation

Generation of new daughter cells divided from progenitor (parent) cells.

Cellular differentiation

Orderly process of cellular maturation that enables cells to achieve a specific function.

Stem cell

A highly undifferentiated cell capable of giving rise to various other cell types.

Neoplasm

Abnormal mass of tissue resulting from uncontrolled cellular proliferation and loss of differentiation control.

Autonomy (in cancer)

Unregulated, self-directed cellular proliferation seen in neoplastic cells.

Anaplasia

Loss of cell differentiation and function; hallmark of malignant tumors.

Carcinogenesis

Process of origin and development of cancerous neoplasms.

Inherited mutation

Germline gene alteration present at birth that predisposes to cancer (≈5 % of cancers).

Acquired mutation

Somatic gene alteration occurring after birth, responsible for ≈95 % of cancers.

Carcinogen

Any agent (radiation, hormones, chemicals, tobacco, microbes) that can initiate cancer development.

Radiation (as carcinogen)

Ionizing energy that damages DNA and promotes malignant transformation.

Hormonal carcinogenesis

Cancer development promoted by endogenous or exogenous hormones that stimulate cell division.

Chemical carcinogen

Substance such as industrial agents or dietary components that can induce mutations leading to cancer.

Tobacco

Leading preventable chemical carcinogen linked to multiple cancers, especially lung.

Oncogenic microbes

Micro-organisms (e.g., HPV, EBV, H. pylori) capable of triggering malignant transformation.

Initiation-Promotion-Progression theory

Three-step model explaining carcinogenesis: DNA damage (initiation), oncogene activation (promotion), and autonomous growth (progression).

Initiation (stage)

First exposure of normal cells to a carcinogenic agent that causes irreversible DNA damage.

Promotion (stage)

Phase in which a promoter agent stimulates proliferation of initiated cells via oncogene activation.

Progression (stage)

Stage where cancer cells acquire independent growth, invasion, and metastatic capabilities.

Benign tumor

Localized, non-invasive neoplasm that closely resembles tissue of origin.

Malignant tumor

Invasive, destructive neoplasm that proliferates rapidly, may metastasize, and shows poor differentiation.

Local spread

Neoplastic invasion confined to tissue of origin only.

Direct extension

Cancer growth into adjacent tissues and organs contiguous with primary tumor.

Seeding

Form of direct extension where disseminated tumor cells implant within nearby body cavities or surfaces.

Metastasis

Spread of malignant cells to distant sites via lymphatic or vascular systems.

Carcinoma

Malignant tumor arising from epithelial tissue (e.g., squamous cell carcinoma).

Sarcoma

Malignant tumor arising from connective tissue (e.g., osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma).

Papilloma

Benign epithelial tumor arising from surface tissue (squamous).

Adenocarcinoma

Malignant glandular epithelial tumor; common in lung, colon, breast, prostate.

TNM classification

Staging system that grades Tumor size (T), regional Node involvement (N), and distant Metastasis (M).

Carcinoma in situ (Tis)

Early cancer confined to epithelium without invasion of neighboring tissue.

Cachexia

Wasting syndrome of weight loss, anorexia, and fatigue seen in advanced cancer.

Tumor marker

Substance produced by cancer cells that can be measured in blood/urine (e.g., CEA) for diagnosis or monitoring.

Chemotherapy

Use of cytotoxic medications that target rapidly dividing cells, including cancerous and some healthy cells.

Radiation therapy

Application of high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells or shrink tumors.

Immunotherapy

Treatment that harnesses the patient’s immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells.

Palliative care

Specialized care focused on symptom relief and quality of life for serious or terminal illness.

Lung cancer

Leading cause of cancer death; most tumors originate in bronchial epithelium and are linked strongly to smoking.

Adenocarcinoma (lung)

Most common type of non-small-cell lung cancer arising from peripheral glandular tissue.

Squamous cell carcinoma (lung)

NSCLC subtype originating in central bronchi; linked to smoking.

Large cell carcinoma (lung)

Undifferentiated NSCLC with large atypical cells and poor prognosis.

Small cell carcinoma (lung)

Highly malignant lung cancer with rapid growth and early metastasis; sensitive to chemotherapy.

Hemoptysis

Coughing up blood; classic sign of lung cancer.

Colonoscopy

Endoscopic visualization of the entire colon, gold standard for colon cancer screening.

Colon cancer

Malignant tumor (usually adenocarcinoma) of the large intestine; associated with polyps and high-fat diet.

Adenoma

Benign glandular neoplasm; in colon, may progress to malignancy.

Neoplastic polyp

Colon polyp with dysplastic epithelium capable of becoming cancerous.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

Serum tumor marker used to monitor colon cancer treatment and recurrence.

Glioma

Primary brain tumor arising from glial cells; includes astrocytomas and glioblastomas.

Meningioma

Usually benign tumor arising from meningeal layers of the brain.

Pituitary adenoma

Benign tumor of the pituitary gland; may cause endocrine symptoms and visual changes.

Acoustic neuroma (schwannoma)

Benign nerve sheath tumor on cranial nerve VIII causing hearing loss and balance issues.

Glioblastoma

Highly aggressive grade IV astrocytoma with poor prognosis.

Leukemia

Malignant neoplasms of blood-forming organs characterized by diffuse replacement of bone marrow with abnormal leukocytes.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)

Most common childhood leukemia involving immature lymphoblasts.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Common adult acute leukemia involving myeloid precursor cells.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Leukemia marked by proliferation of dysfunctional small B lymphocytes.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

Leukemia characterized by uncontrolled growth of granulocytes, often linked to Philadelphia chromosome.

Lymphoma

Group of solid tumors arising from lymphoid tissue; includes Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin types.

Hodgkin lymphoma

Lymphoma defined by presence of Reed-Sternberg cells; usually presents with painless cervical lymphadenopathy.

Reed-Sternberg cell

Large, abnormal B cell that is diagnostic for Hodgkin lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Diverse group of lymphoid malignancies lacking Reed-Sternberg cells; may present with generalized lymphadenopathy.

Lymphadenopathy

Enlargement of lymph nodes; common general manifestation of cancer.

Bone marrow transplantation

Procedure replacing diseased marrow with healthy stem cells, used in leukemia and lymphoma treatment.