Malignant Disease - Biology, Pathology, and Spread

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering malignant disease, the cell cycle, genetic factors, tumour classifications, routes of metastasis, and associated clinical terminology from the Malignant Disease lecture.

Malignancy

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control, can invade nearby tissues, and can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymphatic systems.

Neoplasm

An abnormal growth of tissue that can be either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Malignant Neoplasm

A cancerous tumour that develops when cells grow and divide more than they should, which can invade adjacent tissues and metastasize to distant anatomical sites.

Benign Tumour

A noncancerous neoplasm that typically grows slowly, remains localized, and does not invade or spread to distant body parts.

p53 Protein

A tumour suppressor protein (encoded by the TP53 gene) that senses DNA damage, arrests the cell cycle in $G_1$ to allow repair, and induces apoptosis if repair is not possible.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that safely eliminates damaged, abnormal, or unneeded cells without releasing harmful intracellular contents.

Carcinogen

Any physical, chemical, or biological agent capable of causing cancer in humans or animals.

BRCA1 and BRCA2

Tumour suppressor genes (standing for BReast CAncer genes) that stop body cells from growing out of control; inherited mutations in these genes raise the risk of breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancers.

Aetiology

The study, investigation, or determination of the cause or origin of a disease or pathological condition.

Epidemiology

The study of how often diseases occur in different groups of people and why, utilized to plan preventive strategies and manage disease.

Cell Cycle

An ordered series of cellular events culminating in growth, DNA replication, and division into two daughter cells.

$G_1$ Phase

The first growth phase of interphase during which the cell is metabolically active, synthesizes proteins, produces organelles, and prepares to replicate DNA.

S Phase

The synthesis phase of interphase during which DNA replication occurs so that each of the 46 chromosomes is duplicated.

$G_2$ Phase

The gap phase between DNA synthesis and mitosis during which the cell grows, synthesizes proteins, replicates centrosomes, and double-checks duplicated chromosomes for errors.

$G_0$ Phase

A quiescent state of cell cycle arrest in which a cell exits the active division cycle and remains non-dividing.

Mitosis (M Phase)

The phase of the cell cycle where active cell growth and protein synthesis cease, and cellular energy is dedicated to nuclear division into two genetically identical daughter cells.

Histology

The scientific study of the microscopic structure of tissues.

Epithelial Tissue

A primary tissue type that covers external body surfaces, lines hollow organs, ducts, and cavities, and forms glandular structures.

Connective Tissue

A primary tissue type composed of cells and extracellular fibres that binds, supports, cushions, and protects organs throughout the body.

Endothelium

A single layer of simple squamous epithelial cells that lines the inner lumen of blood vessels, heart cavities, and lymphatic vessels.

Mesothelium

A simple squamous epithelium that constitutes the serous membranes lining closed ventral body cavities and covering thoracic and abdominopelvic viscera.

Tumour Grade

A microscopic evaluation of cellular differentiation within a tumour, describing how closely cancer cells resemble the normal tissue of origin (e.g., Grade 1 is well differentiated; higher grades are poorly differentiated).

Carcinoma

A malignant neoplasm originating from epithelial cells that line body cavities, skin, and organ tracts.

Sarcoma

A malignant neoplasm originating from supportive or connective tissues, such as muscle, bone, cartilage, or fat.

Lymphoma

A malignant cancer arising from cells and tissues of the lymphatic system.

Osteosarcoma

A primary malignant tumour that arises in bone tissue.

Liposarcoma

A malignant tumour of mesenchymal origin that arises from adipose (fat) tissue.

Retinoblastoma

A rare malignant tumour of the retina in children, historically the first cancer directly linked to an inherited genetic mutation, often presenting clinically with a white pupil reflex.

Teratoma

A germ cell tumour composed of multiple foreign tissue types (such as hair, teeth, muscle, and calcifications) derived from more than one germ layer.

Metastasis

The spread of malignant tumour cells from the initial primary site to distant, non-contiguous organs or tissue beds.

Local Invasion

The direct infiltration and destruction of surrounding adjacent normal tissue by a malignant neoplasm, necessitating wide surgical margins.

Transcoelomic Spread

The dissemination of cancer cells across body cavities (such as the pleural, peritoneal, or subarachnoid spaces) leading to secondary seeding.

Iatrogenic Spread

The unintended transfer or mechanical seeding of malignant cells into healthy tissue or surgical scars during an examination, biopsy, or surgical procedure.

Angiogenesis

The physiological formation of new capillary blood vessels from pre-existing vessels, crucial for supplying expanding tumours with oxygen and nutrients.

Haemoptysis

The coughing up of blood or blood-streaked sputum from the respiratory tract.

Dysphagia

Difficulty or discomfort in swallowing.

Dyspnoea

Difficult, labored breathing or shortness of breath.

Stridor

A high-pitched, harsh vibrating sound heard during breathing, caused by an obstruction or narrowing of the larynx or trachea.

Malignant Ascites

An abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity caused by malignant tumour cells infiltrating serous membranes.