Neoplasia and Tumor Nomenclature

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering the definitions, cell transformation processes, nomenclature, and classification of benign and malignant neoplasms based on lecture notes.

What is the definition of neoplasia?

New growth by a process of proliferation cells.

What is the meaning of oncology?

The study of tumours or neoplasms.

What generic term is used for all malignant tumours?

Cancer.

Why do mature neurons and cardiac myocytes not give rise to tumours?

Because neoplasms are derived from cells that normally maintain a proliferative capacity, and these cells do not.

What is the "cell of origin" of a neoplasm?

The normal cell which transforms into a neoplastic cell.

What process is involved in the transformation of a normal cell into a neoplastic cell?

The accumulation of sub-lethal, but permanent genetic alteration or mutation of various genes.

All neoplasms contain which two populations of cells?

1. Parenchymal cells (proliferating population) and 2. Reactive stroma.

What components make up the reactive stroma of a neoplasm?

Connective tissue, blood vessels, and variable numbers of cells of the adaptive and innate immune system.

On which component of the neoplasm is classification and biologic behavior primarily based?

The parenchymal component.

What is the "monoclonal theory" as it relates to the cell of origin?

The belief that virtually all neoplasms arise from one cell that accumulated sub-lethal genetic mutations leading to abnormal proliferation.

What characterizes the biological behavior of a benign tumor?

It will remain localized, will not spread to other sites, and is amenable to local surgical removal.

What are four descriptive modifiers used in the nomenclature of neoplasms?

Cystic, Papillary, Colloid, and Medullary.

Give three examples of eponymous neoplasms.

Wilm’s tumour (nephroblastoma), Burkitts’ tumour, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

What suffix is used to identify benign tumours?

The suffix $-oma$.

Provide the benign names for tumours of fibroblastic cells, cartilage, and osteoblasts.

Fibroma, chondroma, and osteoma.

Define an adenoma.

A benign neoplasm that forms glandular patterns, or tumours derived from glands but not necessarily forming glands.

What are papillomas?

Microscopic or macroscopically visible finger-like or warty projections from the epithelial surface.

What is a teratoma?

A benign tumour that arises from more than one germ cell layer, usually the three.

What suffix is applied to malignant epithelial cancers?

$-carcinoma$.

What suffix is applied to malignant mesenchymal cancers?

$-sarcoma$.

What is a pleomorphic adenoma?

A mixed tumour of the salivary gland where divergent differentiation of a single line of parenchymal cells creates cells representative of a single germ layer.

List four historical terms that end in $-oma$ but are actually malignant tumours.

Hepatoma of the liver, melanoma of the skin, seminoma of the testis, and lymphoma.

What is the malignant name for a tumour of the smooth muscle?

Leiomyosarcoma.

What are the benign and malignant terms for tumours of the blood vessels?

Benign: Hemangioma; Malignant: Angiosarcoma.

According to the transcript, what is the malignant term for a tumour of the placental epithelium?

Choriocarcinoma.