Cancer Biology and Progression

Vocabulary flashcards covering cellular mechanisms, stages of cancer progression, metastasis, diagnostic concepts, and clinical presentations discussed in the lecture.

Fallopian tube cancer

An extremely rare type of cancer that is difficult to establish standardized treatments for because its low prevalence prevents adequate clinical studies.

HER two

A genetic marker tested as positive or negative in breast cancer patients to guide specific clinical treatment strategies.

BRA C

A genetic indicator assessed in breast cancer patients to determine their status and tailor the course of treatment.

Hyperplasia

An early phase in cancer progression where the cellular gene that halts growth fails, causing cells to divide, enlarge, resist normal cell death, and overcrowd neighboring cells.

Dysplasia

A condition in the cancer pathway where cells begin to alter their physical shape and take on an atypical appearance under microscopic evaluation.

Carcinoma in situ

A stage of cancer where abnormal cells remain tightly encapsulated and self-contained in their original location without breaking out into surrounding tissue.

Tumor

A physical mass of cells that is not inherently cancerous, encompassing non-spreading formations such as skin tags and benign moles.

Malignant

A classification describing abnormal cells that possess the potential and capacity to spread and multiply beyond their primary location.

Primary cancer

The original anatomical site and cell type where a malignancy originates prior to any spread to other organs.

Metastasis

The process by which malignant cells detach from a primary tumor, travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and establish growth in a distant secondary site.

Biopsy

The removal and microscopic examination of a tissue sample to identify true cell morphology and determine cancer origin.

Secondary tumor

A metastatic tumor located in a distant organ that retains the cellular characteristics and treatment protocols of the primary cancer from which it originated.

Apoptosis

Normal programmed cell death, a protective regulatory process that fails to occur properly in cancerous cells.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

A viral pathogen capable of causing cervical, throat, and mouth cancers, often presenting asymptomatically in men while still causing oncologic disease.

Anemia

A clinical presentation potentially indicative of systemic disease or cancer, characterized by symptoms of pallor, dizziness, and shortness of breath.