Patho Chapter 3

What is the growth rate of cancer cells?

Cancer cells grow excessively without regulation and outpace normal cells.

How is the spread of malignant neoplasms characterized?

Malignant tumors have a tendency to spread to other areas through invasion and metastasis.

Define hyperplasias.

Hyperplasias involve an increase in cell number in response to a stimulus and stop when the stimulus stops.

What are some causes of genetic alteration?

Genetic alterations or mutations can be caused by factors such as radiation, viruses, and carcinogens.

Describe the development of malignant neoplasms.

Malignant neoplasms develop as cells undergo a series of changes in DNA structure, which promotes an altered growth pattern.

How can carcinoma in situ be prevented from becoming malignant?

Early discovery and surgical removal of carcinoma in situ can prevent it from advancing to a malignant neoplasm.

What is the difference between involvement and non-involvement of lymph nodes in cancer?

Lymph node involvement can indicate that cancer has begun to spread, as lymph nodes filter cancer cells but can become overwhelmed, leading to spread via the bloodstream.

Describe bloodstream metastasis.

Bloodstream metastasis occurs when sarcomas shed neoplastic cells directly into the blood, commonly affecting the liver, lung, and brain.

What is the difference between grading and staging of cancer?

Grading determines the degree of abnormality in tumor cells, while staging assesses the spread of the neoplasm.

What role do hormones play in cancer?

Hormones can increase cancer likelihood or be used in treatments; for example, excessive estrogen production can lead to breast and uterine cancers.

What effect does birth control have on ovarian and endometrial cancer?

Estrogen and progestin in birth control may decrease the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers.

What types of cancer are associated with UV light and tanning beds?

Ultraviolet (UV) rays and tanning beds increase the risk of basal and squamous cell carcinoma, especially in light-skinned individuals.

What is the relationship between alcohol and cancer?

Heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancers such as mouth, throat, and esophageal cancers.

Which group is at greater risk of developing skin cancer?

Light-skinned individuals have a greater risk of developing skin cancer due to lower melanin production.

Which four types of cancer are responsible for most cancer deaths?

Lung, breast, prostate, and colon cancers are responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths.

What are the cancer-related effects of smoking?

Smoking damages various body organs and increases the risk of at least 15 types of cancer, leading to significant mortality.

What is squamous cell carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer commonly associated with UV exposure.

Describe the prognosis of malignant neoplasms and the processes involved.

Prognosis varies but can depend on grading (cell abnormality) and staging (spread extent), with poor differentiation often indicating more malignancy.

Describe needle therapy.

Needle therapy is commonly used in biopsies, where live tissue is excised for microscopic examination to determine the tumor type.

How is it determined if a tumor is benign or malignant?

Tumor type is determined through microscopic examination, assessing factors like cellular differentiation and invasive characteristics.

What causes anemia in cancer patients?

Anemia in cancer patients can result from tumor hemorrhage or reduced red blood cell production.

What are the purposes of curative, preventive, and palliative cancer treatments?

Curative aims to completely remove the tumor, preventive reduces cancer risk, and palliative provides relief when cure is not possible.

Define leukemia and lymphoma, including causes and growth rate.

Leukemia and lymphoma are malignant neoplasms of blood-forming and lymphatic tissues, respectively, with rapid, uncontrolled growth.

What are some causes of genetic mutation?

Causes of genetic mutation include radiation, carcinogens, and viral infections.

Define carcinogen.

A carcinogen is a substance or agent capable of causing cancer.

Where is carcinoma in situ commonly found?

Carcinoma in situ is commonly found in the uterine cervix, larynx, and mouth.

What are common sites for bloodstream metastasis?

Common sites for bloodstream metastasis include the liver, lungs, and brain.

What hormone can treat specific cancers?

Estrogen can be used to treat certain types of cancer, such as prostate cancer.

What hormone increases the risk of vaginal adenocarcinoma and testicular abnormalities?

Diethylstilbestrol

Which viruses are associated with specific cancers?

Epstein-Barr virus is associated with Burkitt’s lymphoma, and Hepatitis B virus with liver cancer.

Which cancers are commonly found in family lines?

Colon and breast cancers have a high incidence in some family lines.

What are risks related to early menstruation and sexual activity in women?

Early sexual activity and multiple partners increase the risk of cervical cancer, especially with HPV transmission.

What are the most common types of cancers?

The most common cancers include skin, breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers.

What are some early preventive screening measures?

Preventive screenings include Pap tests, mammograms, prostate exams, and occult stool tests.

What tests are used to diagnose tumors?

Tests include clinical exams, X-rays, biopsies, and surgical exploration.

What is it called when a tumor is removed in a biopsy?

Tumor removal in a biopsy is termed an excision.

Which cancer type is associated with pathologic fractures?

Cancers such as lung, breast, or prostate cancer metastasis can lead to pathologic fractures.

What role does each cancer treatment type play?

Surgery can be curative, preventive, or palliative; chemotherapy treats rapidly growing metastatic neoplasms; and radiation often follows surgery.

Define neoplasms, hematoma, and leukemia.

Neoplasm: A new growth. Hematoma: Tumor or swelling filled with blood. Leukemia: Malignant disease of bone marrow causing increased WBC production.

What are examples of chemical carcinogens?

Examples include naphthylamine (bladder cancer), asbestos (lung cancer), and arsenic (skin cancer).

Which cancers are associated with specific industries?

Bladder cancer is linked to dye industries, lung cancer to asbestos exposure, and nasal cancer to nickel ore mining.

What are characteristics of benign vs. malignant neoplasms?

Benign: slow, encapsulated, and non-invasive. Malignant: fast-growing, unencapsulated, invasive, and capable of metastasis.

How do cancer cells differ from normal cells?

Cancer cells lack regulation, grow excessively, and invade other tissues, unlike normal cells which are regulated by contact inhibition.

Compare hyperplasias and neoplasms.

Hyperplasias are cell overgrowths in response to a stimulus, while neoplasms grow independently and excessively.

Compare adenomas and adenocarcinomas.

Adenoma is a benign epithelial tumor, while adenocarcinoma is a malignant neoplasm of epithelial tissue.

What are the stages of cancer, from most to least serious?

Stages are based on the extent of spread, with metastasized cancers being the most serious.

How can women reduce cancer risk?

Women can reduce cancer risk by regular screenings, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, and avoiding tobacco.

What are differences between sarcomas and carcinomas?

Sarcomas arise from connective tissues and spread rapidly, while carcinomas originate in epithelial tissue and spread slower, often through lymph nodes.

Describe characteristics of benign tumors.

Benign tumors are confined to a local area, non-invasive, and generally encapsulated.