Cancer Biology and Epidemiology Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key facts, statistics, gender differences, and biologic mechanisms of cancer from Chapter 16.

Two Major Dysfunctions in Cancer Development

Defective cell proliferation (growth) and defective cell differentiation.

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells present in most tissues that ultimately differentiate and become mature, functioning cells of a specific tissue.

Generation Time of the Cell

The time from when a cell enters the cell cycle to when the cell divides into 2 identical cells.

Dynamic Equilibrium

A state under normal conditions where cell proliferation equals cell degeneration or death.

Apoptosis

Cell degeneration or death.

Contact Inhibition

A mechanism of proliferation control in normal cells where neighboring cells inhibit growth through physical membrane contact, respecting cell boundaries.

Loss of Contact Inhibition

A characteristic of cancer cells grown in tissue culture where they show no regard for cell boundaries and grow on top of one another or between normal cells.

Biologic Sex Considerations for Cancer in Men

Men have a higher mortality rate from lung cancer, are more likely to develop liver cancer, and are more likely to be diagnosed with invasive cancer over their lifetime.

Biologic Sex Considerations for Cancer in Women

Lung cancer has the highest death rate, breast cancer has the highest incidence, thyroid cancer is more prevalent, and cancer incidence is higher in females during early adulthood (ages 20-49).

Annual U.S. Cancer Death Statistics

About 606,520 Americans die from cancer each year, which is more than 1600 people per day.

U.S. Cancer Survival Population

More than 16.9 million Americans with a history of cancer are alive today, including those undergoing treatment, disease free, or in remission.

Leading Cause of Death (Ages 40 to 79)

Cancer is the leading cause of death of people 40 to 79 years of age, and the second most common cause of death overall in the United States.

Male Cancer Incidence Leading Site (Table 16.1)

Prostate cancer, representing 27% of estimated cancer incidence in males.

Female Cancer Incidence Leading Sites (Table 16.1)

Breast cancer and Lung cancer, each representing 13% of estimated cancer incidence in females.

Leading Cancer Death Site for Males and Females (Table 16.2)

Lung and bronchus cancer, accounting for 21% of cancer deaths in males and 21% of cancer deaths in females.