Cancer Flashcards

Flashcards on Cancer

Over 2 million

Estimated new cancer diagnoses for 2025

618,000

Estimated cancer deaths for 2025

Prostate

Leading site of new cancer cases in males (2025)

Breast

Leading site of new cancer cases in females (2025)

Lung & bronchus

Leading cause of cancer deaths in males (2025)

Lung & bronchus

Leading cause of cancer deaths in females (2025)

Cell

Basic unit of all living things

Neoplastic disease process

Abnormal cell growth and differentiation

Benign neoplasm

Cells resemble tissue of origin, usually encapsulated, slow growing, and do not recur or metastasize

Malignant neoplasm

Undifferentiated (immature) cells, rapidly growing, expands, invades and destroys surrounding tissue, tends to recur when removed

Carcinomas

Cancers of epithelial tissue

Sarcomas

Cancers of connective tissue, muscle or bone

Leukemia, myelomas, lymphomas

Cancers of the blood and lymphatic system

Anaplastic

Primitive cells

Direct metastasis

Infiltration into adjacent tissues

Indirect metastasis

Invasion of vascular or lymphatic channels

C - Cancer Warning Signs

Change in bowel or bladder habits

A - Cancer Warning Signs

A sore that does not heal

U - Cancer Warning Signs

Unusual bleeding or discharge

T - Cancer Warning Signs

Thickening or lump in the breast or scrotum

I - Cancer Warning Signs

Indigestion or difficulty swallowing

O - Cancer Warning Signs

Obvious change in a wart or mole

N - Cancer Warning Signs

Nagging cough or hoarseness

Biopsy

Only definitive way to medically diagnose cancer

T

TNM staging system: Tumor

N

TNM staging system: Node

M

TNM staging system: Metastasis

Tumor markers

Detect presence of normal body proteins at high levels

Screening and early diagnosis

Most important aspects of health education and care for cancer

Lung cancer screening

Yearly screening with low dose CT for high risk patients ages 55-74.