Disturbances of Cell Growth and Neoplasia

Flashcards for Disturbances of Cell Growth and Neoplasia

Atrophy

Decrease in size & weight of organ or tissue due to decrease in size and number of its cells.

Physiological atrophy

Atrophy of ovary & breast after menopause or atrophy of thymus after puberty.

Pathological atrophy

Generalized atrophy due to chronic diseases, chronic malnutrition and advanced malignancy, or localized atrophy due to disuse, pressure, vascular issues, neuropathic conditions, endocrine imbalances or thermal factors.

Hypertrophy

Increase in size and weight of organ or tissue due to increase in size of its cells.

Physiological hypertrophy

Hypertrophy of the uterus during pregnancy or muscles of athletes & manual workers.

Pathological hypertrophy

Adaptive hypertrophy of left ventricle in cases of aortic stenosis or stomach in cases of pyloric stenosis, or compensatory hypertrophy of glomeruli and renal tubules after removal or destruction of the other kidney.

Hyperplasia

Increase in size & weight of organ or tissue due to increase in number of its cells.

Physiological Hyperplasia

Hyperplasia in breast & genitalia at puberty.

Pathological Hyperplasia

Hormonal hyperplasia in endometrium & breast in response to excess estrogen, Irritation in lymphoid tissue after infections or Compensatory in bone marrow after hemorrhage.

Metaplasia

Transformation of one type of mature cells into another type of mature cells of same group to adapt itself for new functions and new conditions.

Epithelial metaplasia

Squamous metaplasia in transitional cells of urinary bladder in bilharzial cystitis and bronchial cells in heavy smokers change into stratified squamous epithelium due to chronic irritation or Intestinal metaplasia change of gastric glands around peptic ulcer to intestinal glands.

Connective metaplasia

Osseous metaplasia where fibroblasts change into osteoblasts and may form bone in old scars, areas of calcification & in case of traumatic myositis ossificans.

Dysplasia

Disordered cellular proliferation characterized by loss in uniformity & arrangement of cells and their architectural orientation, with cells showing pleomorphism, hyperchromatism and abnormal mitosis.

Carcinoma in Situ

The early malignant change in epithelial cells before invasion of basement membrane.

Tumor

A self controlling new growth (autonomous) formed by unlimited multiplication of abnormal cells in one of the body tissues or organs forming a mass.

Benign Neoplasms

Tumors that generally have good prognosis.

Malignant Neoplasms

Tumors that generally have poor prognosis.

Tumor proliferation

Tumors can be derived from any cells. Tumors continue proliferation even if the patient is starved. Cell proliferation is irreversible and unlimited.

Characteristics of Benign Tumors (Gross)

Small in size, grow slowly, well defined spherical shape, smooth and capsulated surface, solid homogenous cut surface, and color/consistency like its origin tissue.

Characteristics of Malignant Tumors (Gross)

Reach large size in short time, irregular shape, ill-defined invasive surface, areas of necrosis and hemorrhage on cut surface, and firm to hard consistency.

Cell Differentiation in Benign Tumors (Microscopic)

Cells resemble normal cells, and tumor architecture resembles that of the parent organ, small nuclei and have no or few mitotic figures.

Cellular Anaplasia in Malignant Tumors (Microscopic)

Abnormal differentiation grades of cellular atypia where malignant cells vary in size & shape. Nuclei may be irregular or bizarre shaped.

Rate of Growth in Benign Tumors

Often slow.

Mode of Growth in Benign Tumors

Expansile, i.e. compressing the surrounding tissues without invasion.

Rate of Growth in Malignant Tumors

Often rapid.

Mode of Growth in Malignant Tumors

Invasive, i.e. infiltrating and destroying the surrounding normal tissues.

Carcinomas

Epithelial Tumors named according to cell of origin (Prefix) + carcinoma which include Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Renal Cell Carcinoma, Hepatocellular Carcinoma etc.

Sarcomas

Mesenchymal Tumours named according to cell of origin (prefix) + sarcoma which include Fibrosarcoma, Leiomyosarcoma, Osteosarcoma etc.