Test 3 Cancer

Front 1

What is an oncogene?

Back 1

Mutantgenes that in their nonmutant state direct protein synthesis and cellulargrowth

Front 2

What is a tumor suppressor gene?

Back 2

• Encodeproteins that in their normal state negatively regulate proliferation
• Alsoreferred to as anti-oncogenes
  

Front 3

How could tumor suppressor gene be involved in the development of cancer?

Back 3

In an epigenetic event it could be turned off

Front 4

Are all neoplasms malignant?

Back 4

No, it can be benign, pre-malignant, or malignant

Front 5

What are the characteristics of a benign neoplasm?

Back 5

• Slow growth
  
• Well defined capsule
• Non-invasive
• Well differentiated
• Low mitotic index
• Does not metastasize

Front 6

What are the characteristics of a malignant neoplasm?

Back 6

• Rapid growth
• Not encapsulated
• Invasive
• Poorly differentiated
• High mitotic index
• Can metastasize
  

Front 7

Describe the grading and staging systems.

Back 7

• Stage 1: Canceris confined to its organ of origin
• Stage2: Locallyinvasive
• Stage3: Regionalstructures
• Stage4: Distantsites
  

Front 8

How does the spread of a tumor contribute to damage to healthy tissue?

Back 8

• Circulating cytokines
  
• Pressure, obstruction, invasion of sensitive structures, inflammation

Front 9

When a tumor metastasizes, how would you describe the secondary tumor?

Back 9

Secondary tumor will be made from cells of the primary tumor

Front 10

What are tumor markers?

Back 10

substancesproduced by cancer cells or that are found on plasma cell membranes, in theblood, CSF, or urine

Front 11

Why would cancer drugs effect the GI system?

Back 11

Cancer drugs affect rapidly dividing cells, these include those in the GI tract

Front 12

What immune approaches may be used in cancer?

Back 12

Immunotherapy may be used to have the immune system selectively target the cancer cells

Front 13

How does estrogen act as a promoter?

Back 13

As estrogen circulates through your bloodstream, it attaches to the estrogen receptors in cancerous cells, causing them to divide and accumulate in your body. In the absence of estrogen, these same cells would stop growing and eventually die.

Front 14

What are proto-oncognes?

Back 14

Normalnonmutant gene that codes for cellular growth

Front 15

Define initiation

Back 15

Activation of proto-oncogenes and inactivation of suppressor genes

Front 16

Define promotion

Back 16

Mutant cells proliferate

Front 17

Define progression

Back 17

Mutant, proliferating cells exhibit malignant behavior

Front 18

Describe some early signs and symptoms of colon cancer.

Back 18

• Achange in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change inthe consistency of your stool
• Rectalbleedingor blood in your stool
• Persistentabdominaldiscomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
• A feelingthat your bowel doesn't empty completely
• Weaknessorfatigue
• Unexplainedweightloss
  

Front 19

Describe the pathophysiology of colon cancer.

Back 19

1. Hyperplastic > Loss of APC
   
2. Early adenoma > Activation of K-Ras
3. Intermediate > Loss of Smad4
4. Late > Loss of P53
5. Carcinoma
6. Metastasis

Front 20

How does an epigenetic event affect the cells?

Back 20

Can inactivate tumor suppressor genes or activate oncogenes

Front 21

How do we name a metastasis?

Back 21

We name it for the primary cancer

Front 22

Why can it be hard to detect a primary cancer?

Back 22

Once a cancer has metastasized, it may cause symptoms that uniquely affect the area in which they have spread.