Grade 10 AP Science - Cancer Cells

What is a cancer cell?

A cell that continues to divide despite messages from the nucleus or surrounding cells to stop growing and dividing

What is a tumour?

A mass of cells that continue to grow and divide without an obvious function in the body

Types of tumours

\-Benign

\-Malignant

What are benign tumours?

Tumours that do not affect surrounding tissues but can crowd them; a non-cancerous tumour

What are malignant tumours?

Tumours that interferes with the functioning of surrounding cells; a cancerous tumour

What is metastasis?

A process where cancer cells break away from a primary tumour and move to a different part of the body through the blood system. If they settle in a different part of the body and continue to grow and divide uncontrollably, they can start a secondary tumour. This is the main reason why cancer is such a dangerous disease.

What makes cancer such a dangerous disease?

Metastasis

How does cancer start?

During the cell cycle, new daughter cells are produced that are genetically identical to the parent cell. This process is usually error free and reliable, however, random changes in a cell’s DNA can occur. These are known as DNA mutations. These mutations rarely affect parts of the DNA that controls growth or division. Most times, these changes in DNA will cause the cell to die. Sometimes, the control of the growth and division of a cell is lost by the DNA mutations, and the cell will continue to grow and divide into a now cancerous cell.

What are some causes of mutations?

Hereditary mutations and carcinogens

Carcinogens

Carcinogens - environmental factors that cause cancer

\-Tobacco smoke

\-Radiation

\-X-rays

\-UV rays (from tanning beds or sunlight)

\-Viruses (Human papillomavirus (HPV) or Hepatitis B)

\-Some chemicals in plastics (BPA)

\-Organic solvents (bleach and other cleaning solutions)

Hereditary

Hereditary - caused by DNA that is passed on from one generation to the next

What is cancer screening?

Checking for cancer when there are no symptoms. It is important for people with a family history of cancer. Screening does not prevent cancer but it can help with early detection.

Types of cancer screening

\-Breast and testicular self-examinations

\-Pap smear

\-PSA test (prostate cancer)

\-Blood tests

\-Skin checks (look for discoloration in moles)

Technologies that can detect cancer

\-Endoscopy

\-X-ray

\-Ultrasound

\-CT scan (CAT)

\-MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Endoscopy

A fiber-optic cable with a camera that is used to detect colon cancer

X-ray

Used to view internal parts of the body for tissue masses e.g. mammogram

Ultrasound

Ultra high frequency sound waves to create a digital image

CT scan (CAT)

Multiple x-rays of a body from different angles that are then assembled by a computer to form detailed images (provides more detail than a regular x-ray)

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Radio waves and strong magnetic field creates images with more detail than a CT scan

What is a biopsy?

A procedure where doctors take a sample of the tumour to look at cells under a microscope. It is the only way to confirm a diagnosis of cancer.

Regular vs. Cancer Cells

Regular cells:

\-Large cytoplasm

\-Single nucleus

\-Single nucleolus

\-Fine chromatin

Cancer cells:

\-Small cytoplasm

\-Multiple nuclei

\-Multiple and large nucleoli

\-Coarse chromatin

Treatments for cancer

\-Surgery

\-Chemotherapy

\-Radiation

\-Biophotonics

Surgery Cancer Treatment

Physically removing cancerous tissue

Chemotherapy Cancer Treatment

Using drugs to slow division and shrink tumours; has many side effects

Radiation Cancer Treatment

Ionizing radiation kills tumour cells by damaging the DNA

Biophotonics Cancer Treatment

Beams of light to diagnose, monitor, and treat cells and organisms

What is the purpose or goal for cancer treatments?

To slow down the growth of tumours and to destroy as many cancer cells as possible

What is the best treatment for cancer?

Surgery

What are the most common treatments or cancer?

\-Surgery

\-Chemotherapy

\-Radiation

What is the most uncommon treatment for cancer?

Biophotonics