Understanding Neoplasia and Cancer Development

Cancer

Leading cause of death in adults globally.

Neoplasia

Abnormal tissue growth exceeding normal tissue.

Tumor

Swelling caused by various conditions.

Benign Neoplasm

Well-differentiated cells, localized growth.

Malignant Neoplasm

Poorly differentiated, invades and metastasizes.

Cell Differentiation

Process by which cells become specialized.

Hypertrophy

Increase in cell size, not number.

Hyperplasia

Increase in cell number, not size.

Fibrous Capsule

Connective tissue surrounding benign tumors.

Metastasis

Spread of cancer to distant sites.

Ischemia

Insufficient blood supply to tissues.

Survival Rates

Affected by cancer type and treatment availability.

External Factors

Environmental influences like tobacco and radiation.

Internal Factors

Genetic and biological influences on cancer risk.

Secondary Tumors

New tumors formed from metastasis.

Rate of Growth

Speed at which a tumor increases in size.

Capacity to Invade

Ability of tumor to infiltrate surrounding tissues.

Potential for Death

Risk associated with tumor type and behavior.

Hormone Production

Some benign tumors produce hormones abnormally.

Cytokines

Proteins that mediate immune responses.

Solid Tumors

Confined to specific tissues or organs.

Hematologic Cancers

Cancers affecting blood and bone marrow.

Inflammatory Response

Body's reaction that can damage normal tissue.

Well-Differentiated Cells

Cells that closely resemble normal tissue.

Progressive Growth

Continuous increase in tumor size.

Pressure Effects

Disturbances caused by tumors on adjacent structures.

Cancer Treatment

Methods to manage or eliminate cancer.

Metastasis

Spread of tumor cells to distant sites.

Hematologic cancers

Cancers involving blood and lymph cells.

Carcinoma in situ

Localized preinvasive lesion, often removable.

Abnormal proliferation

Rapid and uncontrolled cell growth.

Loss of differentiation

Cells lack normal features of differentiated cells.

Anaplasia

Loss of cell differentiation in cancerous tissue.

Undifferentiated tumors

Tumors with cells resembling embryonic cells.

Genetic instability

Hallmark of cancer involving chromosomal abnormalities.

Aneuploidy

Loss or gain of chromosomes in cells.

Intrachromosomal instability

Insertions, deletions, and amplifications in DNA.

Microsatellite instability

Changes in short repetitive DNA sequences.

Point mutations

Alterations in a single nucleotide of DNA.

Growth factor independence

Cancer cells proliferate without external growth factors.

Contact inhibition

Growth cessation upon cell density reaching a limit.

Anchorage independence

Cancer cells grow without attachment to other cells.

Faulty cell communication

Impaired signaling between cancer cells.

Unlimited lifespan

Cancer cells divide indefinitely in culture.

Telomeres

Chromosome ends that shorten with each division.

Telomerase

Enzyme that maintains telomere length in cancer cells.

Tumor antigens

Surface molecules identified as foreign by the immune system.

Fetal antigens

Antigens not produced by adult cells, found in some cancers.

Intercellular connections

Connections between cells that may be impaired in cancer.

Bizarre mitotic figures

Atypical cell division patterns in undifferentiated tumors.

High mitosis rate

Increased cell division in undifferentiated tumors.

Morphologic changes

Structural alterations in undifferentiated cancer cells.

Recurrence chances

Likelihood of cancer returning after treatment.

Surgical removal

Procedure to excise localized tumors.

Progressive growth

Continuous increase in tumor size or spread.

Cancer cells

Cells that proliferate uncontrollably, invading tissues.

Degradative enzymes

Enzymes that break down tissues, aiding invasion.

Hormone synthesis

Production of hormones by cancer cells.

Procoagulant substances

Substances affecting blood clotting mechanisms.

Cytoskeletal changes

Alterations in cell structure affecting movement.

Intermediate filaments

Cytoskeletal components involved in cell integrity.

Actin filaments

Protein filaments facilitating cell movement and shape.

Microtubules

Cylindrical structures aiding in cell division.

Invasion

Direct penetration of cancer cells into tissues.

Metastatic spread

Dissemination of cancer cells to distant sites.

Seeding

Release of cancer cells into body cavities.

Peritoneal cavity

Abdominal cavity often involved in cancer seeding.

Pleural cavity

Space surrounding the lungs, can harbor cancer cells.

Metastasis

Formation of secondary tumors away from primary site.

Sentinel node

First lymph node draining the primary tumor.

Hematologic spread

Cancer spread through the bloodstream.

Extracellular matrix

Network providing structural support to tissues.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)

Process allowing epithelial cells to become migratory.

Proteolytic enzymes

Enzymes that degrade proteins in the extracellular matrix.

Micro metastases

Small clusters of cancer cells in new locations.

Blood supply establishment

Formation of blood vessels to support tumor growth.

Cell cycle

Series of phases for cell division and replication.

Lymphatic system

Network transporting lymph, involved in cancer spread.

Tumor characteristics

Unique features aiding identification of tumor origin.

Adhesion molecules

Proteins facilitating cell attachment to extracellular matrix.

Tumor invasion mechanisms

Steps by which tumors penetrate surrounding tissues.

Cancer cell ecosystem

Microenvironment supporting cancer cell survival and spread.

Metastatic tumor growth

Expansion of cancer cells at distant sites.

Cell Cycle

Sequence of phases for cell division.

Dividing Cells

Cells actively undergoing the cell cycle.

Growth Fraction

Ratio of dividing to resting cells.

Doubling Time

Time for cell mass to double.

Cancer Cell Cycle

Cancer cells cycle at similar rates to normal cells.

Cell Pool

Active cells engaged in the cell cycle.

Cell Loss

Rate of cells lost versus produced.

Tumor Growth Rate

Rapid growth due to cell cycle dynamics.

Genetic Damage

Mutations leading to cancer transformation.

Epigenetic Factors

Gene silencing affecting cancer development.

Microenvironment

Surrounding cells and factors influencing cancer.

Proto-Oncogenes

Normal genes that can become oncogenes.

Oncogenes

Mutated genes promoting uncontrolled cell division.

Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes inhibiting cell proliferation.

Retinoblastoma Gene

Prevents cell division under normal conditions.

TP53 Gene

Activates apoptosis in DNA-damaged cells.

Chromosomal Translocations

Genetic alterations linked to specific cancers.