Tumour Pathology 2 Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Tumour Pathology 2 Deck (30)
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1
Q

What are the 4 noticeable properties of cancer cells?

A

Altered genetics
Altered cellular function
Abnormal morphology
Cells capable of independent growth

2
Q

What 3 things can happen to cellular function in tumour cells?

A

Loss of cell-to-cell adhesion
Altered cell-to-matrix adhesion
Production of tumour related proteins

3
Q

What is the name for tumour related proteins?

A

Tumour biomarkers

4
Q

Name the 3 types of tumour biomarkers.

A

Onco-fetal proteins
Oncogenes
Growth factors/receptors

5
Q

What are the 4 things tumour biomarkers can be used to check?

A

Screening
Diagnosis
Prognostic
Predictive

6
Q

What is the use of alpha-fetoprotein?

A

Acts like albumin and an onco-fetal biomarker for teratoma of testis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

7
Q

What is the use of carcinoembryonic antigen?

A

Onco-fetal and detect recurrent disease (colorectal cancer)

8
Q

What is the use of oestrogen receptors?

A

Used as a predictive biomarker.

9
Q

What is the use of prostate specific antigen?

A

Helps with diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer.

10
Q

What biomarker can be used for prediction in colorectal cancer?

A

Kras

11
Q

What biomarker can be used for prediction in lung cancer?

A

EGFR

12
Q

What biomarker can be used for prediction in breast/gastric cancer?

A

Her2

13
Q

What biomarker can be used for prediction in melanoma?

A

Braf

14
Q

What is pleomorphism?

A

Marked variation in shape and size.

15
Q

What is the appearance of cancer cells?

A

Mitoses present and often abnormal.

16
Q

Define tumour growth.

A

A balance between angiogenesis and apoptosis.

17
Q

What is the process of tumour angiogenesis?

A

New blood vessels are formed which are required for tumour growth. Allows tumour to be released into circulation.

18
Q

What would more blood vessels in a tumour cause for prognosis?

A

Poorer prognosis.

19
Q

Define apoptosis.

A

Programmed cell death.

20
Q

What does apoptosis regulate in tumours?

A

Growth

21
Q

What is apoptosis involved in?

A

Chemo/radiotherapy

22
Q

What happens during metastasis?

A

Matrix degradation by enzymes increases and cell-to-cell adhesion is altered.

23
Q

What are the 4 modes of spread of cancer?

A

Local
Lymphatic
Blood
Transcoelomic

24
Q

What is the 5 step process of tumour metastasis via lymphatics?

A
Adherence to lymph vessels
Invasion from lymphatics
Invasion into lymph node
Formation of metastasis
Clinical evidence (tumour must be greater than 5mm)
25
Q

What is the 5 step process of tumour metastasis via blood?

A
Adherence to blood vessels
Invasion from blood vessels
Invasion into tissue
Formation of metastasis
Clinical evidence
26
Q

What is transcoelomic spread?

A

Spread of tumour cells across the body cavities.

27
Q

Lungs covered by ______ and abdomen covered by ______.

A

Pleural, periotoneal

28
Q

What are the 5 most common sites of metastasis?

A
Liver
Lung
Brain
Axial skeleton
Adrenal gland
29
Q

What are the 4 uncommon sites of metastasis?

A

Spleen
Kidney
Skeletal muscle
Heart

30
Q

What three cancers commonly metastasise?

A

Breast
Prostate
Colorectal