Neoplasia

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about neoplasia.

Metaplasia

Replacement of one differentiated cell type with another mature differentiated cell type not normally present in that tissue, adapting to environmental changes.

Dysplasia

Non-neoplastic, disordered epithelial cell proliferation with loss of uniformity and architecture; can be reversible or premalignant.

Neoplasia

Abnormal, uncoordinated, and excessive cell growth that persists after the initiating stimulus is removed, involving genetic alterations.

Neoplasm

A persistent, abnormal mass of tissue with growth exceeding and uncoordinated with normal tissue, persisting after stimulus cessation.

Oncology

The study of tumors.

Stroma

Supporting connective tissue and blood vessels in a neoplasm, crucial for blood supply and growth.

Benign Tumor

Non-invasive neoplasm that remains localized, grows slowly, and closely resembles parent tissue.

Malignant Tumor

Invasive neoplasm that spreads directly and metastasizes, grows relatively rapidly, and may variably resemble parent tissue.

Epithelial Tumors

Neoplasms arising from epithelial cells.

Mesenchymal Tumors

Neoplasms arising from mesenchymal tissues.

Teratoma

Tumor derived from more than one germ layer.

Chondroma

Benign mesenchymal tumor arising from cartilage.

Fibroma

Benign mesenchymal tumor arising from fibrous tissue.

Lipoma

Benign mesenchymal tumor arising from adipose tissue.

Adenoma

Benign epithelial tumor producing a glandular pattern.

Papilloma

Benign epithelial tumor growing on any surface, producing finger-like projections.

Polyp

A mass projecting above a surface; can be non-neoplastic or neoplastic (benign or malignant).

Tumor Encapsulation

Fibrous capsule around a benign tumor, compressing surrounding tissue.

Atypia

Microscopic features of dysplasia including pleomorphism, hyperchromatism, increased N/C ratio, and increased mitosis.

Pleomorphism

Variation in size and shape of cells.

Hyperchromatism

Dark staining of nuclei due to increased DNA content.

N/C Ratio

Nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio; often increased in dysplasia.

Mitosis

Cell division; increased in dysplasia and malignant tumors.

Loss of Polarity

Disorientation of cells within a tissue, seen in dysplasia.

Carcinoma in situ

Full thickness dysplasia of the epidermis without invasion of the basement membrane.

Sarcoma

Malignant tumor of mesenchymal origin.

Carcinoma

Malignant tumor of epithelial origin.

Anaplasia

Lack of differentiation in malignant tumor cells.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant sites in the body.

Well-differentiated

Tumor cells that closely resemble the normal cells of the tissue of origin (Grade I).

Poorly-differentiated

Tumor cells with little resemblance to the normal cells of the tissue of origin (Grade III).

Undifferentiated

Tumor cells with no resemblance to the normal cells of the tissue of origin (Grade IV).

Tumor Grade

A measure of how abnormal cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly the tumor is likely to grow and spread.

Myositis Ossificans

Mesenchymal metaplasia where muscle tissue is replaced by bone after trauma.

Squamous Metaplasia

Change of epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium due to chronic irritation.

Bilharzia

Parasitic infection that can cause squamous metaplasia in the urinary bladder.

Invasive growth

Mode of growth for a malignant tumor that is characterized by penetration and destruction of surrounding tissue.

Hyperplasia

Increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ, which may be a precursor to neoplasia.

Growth Factors

naturally occurring substance capable of stimulating cellular proliferation, wound healing, and occasionally cellular differentiation.

Tumor Angiogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to tumor cells, promoting tumor growth and metastasis.