Cancer Path Exam #4

disease in which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues
neoplasm = new growth

grow slowly
encapsulated
not invasive
well differentiated
low mitotic index
do not metastasize

grow rapidly
not encapsulated
invasive
poorly differentiated
highly mitotic index
can spread distantly (metastasize)

named according to the tissues from which they arise
may progress to cancer if not taken care of

fat cells

smooth muscle of uterus

meninges

named according to the cell type form which they arise

epithelial tissue

ductal or glandular tissue

mesenchymal tissue

lymphatic tissue

blood-forming cells

loss of cellular differentiation
can't see a difference become identical

variability in size, shape, replication

early-stage cancers
preinvasive epithelial tumors of glandular or squamous cell origin
have not broken through the basement membrane or invaded the surrounding stroma

remain stable
progress to invasive and metastatic cancers
regress and disappear

tumor initiation
tumor promotion
tumor progression

multiple mutations are required before cancer can develop

form their own blood vessels
maintain secretion angiogenic factors (VEGF)

resistance to apoptotic cell death = defects in intrinsic or extrinsic pathways provides resistance to apoptotic cell death
avoiding immune destruction

uncontrolled cellular proliferation

some organs are more susceptible to oncogenic effects of inflammation

chronic inflammation associated with:
peptic ulcer disease
stomach carcinoma
mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas

local spread
prerequisite for metastasis
recruitment of tams is critical

spread of cancer from primary site of origin to a distant site
changes in tumor microenvironment initiate metastasis and cause cancer cells to evolve

epithelial characteristics lost
increased migratory capacity
increased resistance to apoptosis
growth favored in foreign microenvironments = prostate and bone cancer

cancer taking over everything
multiorgan, energy wasting syndrome
most severe form of malnutrition
muscle weakness and fatigue
altered protein, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism
loss of white adipose tissue
appetite-stimulating and appetite-suppressing pathways altered

Microscopic analysis for staging--based on presence of metastasis
Stage 1: no metastasis (none or cancer IN SITU)
Stage 2: local invasion
Stage 3: spread regional structures
Stage 4: distant metastasis (all over body)

T for tumor spread
N for node involvement
M for the presence of distant metastasis

biochemical markers = at risk for certain cancers
substances produced by cancer cells that are found on or in tumor cells, in the blood, CSF, or urine
hormones
enzymes
genes
antigens
antibodies

screen and identify individuals at high risk for disease, to diagnose and observe the clinical course of disease
observe clinical course of cancer

false positive and negatives

surgery
chemotherapy
radiation therapy
immunotherapy (stem cells to treat tumor)

harm good and bad cells

metastatic prostate cancer