Patho Cancer - Lecture 7

How do we start as?

stem cells

What do we call it when we grow and divide to become daughter cells?

proliferation

What do we call it when our cells specialize to work in one area?

differentiation

When a gene that controls the proliferation and differentiation of cells malfunctions and goes unrepaired, can cells do what?

lose differentiation and undergo unregulated proliferation 

What are abnormal masses of tissue that can be benign or malignant?

neoplasms or tumors

What are diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade tissues?

cancer

What is the spreading of cancer to one or more distant sites, often by way of the lymphatic system or blood vessels?

metastasis

What type of tumors grow slowly, are encapsulated, have low mitotic index, well well-differentiated, and do not metastasize?

benign

What type of tumors grow fast, are not encapsulated, poorly differentiated, high mitotic index, and can metastasize?

malignant

What are tumors named after?

tissues they arise from

What is an increase in the number of cells?

hyperplasia

What is it when cells look abnormal under a microscope?

dysplasia

Carcinoma in situ is are cancer that has not broken through what?

basement membrane 

What is it called when you have the first exposure to a carcinogen?osu

initiation

What is the continued exposure to a promoter that contributes to the expansion or mutated cells’ growth and reproduction?

promotion

What is the independent growth of a tumor?

progression

What is an abnormal change in the DNA of a gene?

mutation

What do genetic mutations affect?

cell growth and division

What percent of mutations are inherited?

5%

What percentage of mutations are acquired?

95%

What are normal genes involved in cell division, growth, and cell death?

proto-oncogenes

What types of mutations happen to proto-oncogenes to make them oncogenes?

point mutation, translocation, gene amplification

What are mutated proto-oncogens that can cause cancer if the mutation allows the cells to grow and divide too quickly?

oncogenes

What are genes that, when “switched on,” stop our cells from growing and dividing too repaid; and they can cause cancer if a mutation inactivates the gene and cell division is uncontrolled?

tumor supressor genes

What is a substance, organism, or agent capable of causing cancer?

carcinogen

Most carcinogens work by interacting with what to produce mutations?

cell’s DNA

What do you call how the cancer cells look under the microscope?

tumor grading

What involves the proliferation of the cause within the tissues of origin?

local spread

What involves tumor cells moving to adjacent tissues and organs?

direct extension 

What is it called when cancer spreads to distant sites, often by way of lymphatics or blood vessels?

metastasis

What is the affinity of a primary tumor to spread to a specific distant site?

organ trophism

What is based on the extent of the disease?

cancer staging

What are the three ways cancer staging is based on?

tumor size. lymph nodes involvement, distant metastases

What are the most common manifestations of cancer?

mass, loss of function, swollen lymph nodes, fevers, anorexia, cachexia

What are diagnostic tests used for cancer?

hx, physical, PET, biopsy, cytology, tumor markers

What is the first option of treatment for cancer?

surgery

What is the #1 side effect of cancer treatments?

fatigue

What is it called when mild traces of cancer are found in the body?

remission

What is it called when cancer is gone and not expected to come back (~5 years cancer-free)?

cure

What is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide?

lug cancer

Why is lung cancer is a leading cause of death?

early stages are asymptomatic

What cancer mortality risks are increasing?

liver cancer

What environmental factors cause cancer?

pollution, radiation, sunlight, occupational, hazards, radon

What is the leading cause of cancer?

tabacco

What cellular processes are affected by nutrition?

growth, division, DNA repair, immune cell fx

What carcinogens are found in our diet?

nitrate, grilled/charred foods, alcohol

What is the mechanism of obesity that we assume causes cancer?

chronic inflammation and increased pro-inflammatory mediators

What is the safe limit of alcohol?

no safe limit

What are the top cancer-causing infections?

H.pylori, Hep B and C, EBV, HPV

What types of HPV are responsible for the majority of the HPV related cancers?

16 and 18 

What reduces HPV risk for cancer?

gardasil vaccine

What are the early stages of lung cancer?

chronic/persistent cough, SOB, coughing up blood (hemoptysis)

What are the late stages of lung cancer?

chest pain, weight loss, fevers

What ways do we diagnose lung cancer?

hx, physical, CT, PET, MRI, bronchoscopy, needle aspiration, thoracentesis

What is a new way to prevent/treat cancer that tells the immune system to attack cancer?

immunotherapy

What is a cancer caused by diet, lifestyle, and genetics that impacts the risk of chronic inflammatory conditions?

colorectal cancer

What percentage of colorectal cancer is non-hereditary?

90%

What are growths on the inner lining of the colon/rectum?

polyps

What are symptoms of colorectal cancer?

change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, occult or frank blood in stool, bowel obstruction, anemia

What is a way we can screen and diagnose colorectal cancer?

colonoscopy

What blood tests do we run to look for colorectal cancer?

CBC, AST, ALT (liver enzymes)

What types of brain tumors are gliomas and meningiomas?

primary brain tumors

What types of brain tumors metastasize and move to the brain?

secondary brain tumors

What is the biggest risk factor for brain tumors?

genetic

What are the main symptoms of brain tumors?

headache, vomiting, seizures, loss of motor/sensory function, cognitive/behavioral changes

What can we do to diagnose brain tumors?

neuro exams, CT, MRI, EEG, biopsy