Cancer Biology and Tumor Characteristics

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following features is characteristic of malignant tumors?

Cohesive growth with a capsule and basement membrane
Well-differentiated cells
Infiltrative growth with poorly cohesive cells (correct)
Slow rate of growth with few, normal mitotic figures

What is the implication of a tumor having a longer doubling time?

The tumor is less likely to metastasize.
The tumor is growing more rapidly.
The tumor is growing more slowly. (correct)
The tumor is more likely to metastasize.

What differentiates benign dysplasia of the breast from malignant breast cancer?

The presence of apocrine metaplasia
The presence of hyperplastic changes
The presence of cysts and microcalcifications
Invasive growth and metastasis (correct)

What is the significance of a tumor's fraction of cells in the replicative pool?

It reflects the tumor's growth rate. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a definitive sign of malignancy?

Metastasis (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the hallmark characteristics of a koilocyte?

Large, dark nucleus with a halo and thickened cytoplasm (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a characteristic of cancer cell transformation and progression?

Increased sensitivity to apoptosis (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of precancerous changes in the cervix?

They can be detected early by PAP screening and potentially treated before becoming invasive. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following HPV types are considered low risk for cervical cancer?

HPV types 6 and 11 (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of telomerase in cancer cell transformation?

Telomerase helps maintain the length of telomeres, allowing for unlimited replication. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements regarding cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is FALSE?

CIN I indicates severe dysplasia and the highest risk of progression to invasive cancer. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a predisposing factor for cancer development?

Exposure to sunlight (for all cancers) (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the PAP smear screening test?

To diagnose the presence of precancerous changes in the cervix. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these accurately describes a proto-oncogene?

A normal gene that regulates cell growth and division. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the p53 tumor suppressor gene?

Monitoring DNA damage and inducing cell cycle arrest or apoptosis (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix typically spread?

All of the above. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common symptom of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix?

Unusual vaginal bleeding. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the link between HPV infection and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix?

HPV infection is a significant risk factor for developing squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios would be most likely to result in a lethal tumor burden due to rapid growth?

A tumor with a doubling time of 6 months and a high proportion of replicative cells. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Considering the information provided, which of the following statements is TRUE about the relationship between tumor growth rate and tumor stem cells?

Tumor stem cells contribute to tumor growth by maintaining a pool of cells for replication, even if they are not all actively dividing. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the provided information, which of the following scenarios would be most characteristic of a benign tumor?

Slow, progressive growth, well-defined capsule, and a high degree of cellular differentiation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

A pathologist examining a tumor biopsy observes cells with abnormal mitotic figures and a lack of differentiation. How would they classify this tumor's behavior based on the given information?

Malignant, due to the presence of abnormal mitotic figures and a lack of differentiation. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Considering the features of benign and malignant tumors, which of the following scenarios would be most suggestive of malignancy?

A tumor with a history of rapid growth, invasion into surrounding tissues, and the presence of metastases. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately reflects the relationship between viral exposure and cancer development?

Viral exposure is a major risk factor for certain cancers but does not directly cause all cancers. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements best explains the significance of a tumor's 'limitless replicative potential' as a hallmark of cancer progression?

The tumor can indefinitely divide and multiply, leading to uncontrolled growth and the formation of metastases. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How do 'tumor suppressor genes' contribute to the prevention of cancer development?

They induce apoptosis in cells with damaged DNA, eliminating potential cancer cells before they can proliferate. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the content provided, which of the following factors contributes to the higher incidence of melanomas in New Zealand compared to Iceland?

Higher levels of ultraviolet radiation exposure in New Zealand. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the role of 'non-lethal genetic damage' in the development of a tumor?

It creates a predisposition for tumor formation, but requires additional mutations and environmental factors to initiate tumor growth. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A patient presents with a cervical lesion showing moderate dysplasia. What grade of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) would this correspond to?

CIN II (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key feature that distinguishes a koilocyte from a normal epithelial cell, making it a hallmark of HPV infection?

Enlarged, irregular, and hyperchromatic nucleus with a perinuclear halo (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of cervical cancer, what is the significance of the "transformation zone"?

All of the above. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) to invasive squamous cell carcinoma?

Progression is a slow and unpredictable process, potentially taking decades. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix spreads?

All of the above. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following HPV types is classified as a high-risk type, predisposing individuals to high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and a higher risk of cervical cancer?

HPV type 16 (B), HPV type 18 (C) Signup and view all the answers

A patient presents with atypical cells on a PAP smear, indicating possible precancerous changes. What is the MOST likely diagnosis for the patient?

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying rationale for the effectiveness of the PAP smear screening test in reducing cervical cancer incidence?

It detects precancerous changes, such as koilocytes and dysplasia, allowing for early intervention and preventing cancer progression. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Keratosis praecancerosa

Precancerous skin condition characterized by abnormal keratin formation.

Tumor Growth Rate

Speed at which tumor cells proliferate and double in number.