Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a core feature of all cancer cells?
What is a core feature of all cancer cells?
Which of the following terms describes an abnormal mass of proliferating cells?
Which of the following terms describes an abnormal mass of proliferating cells?
Which type of cancer is the most common among females worldwide?
Which type of cancer is the most common among females worldwide?
What change characterizes dysplasia in cells?
What change characterizes dysplasia in cells?
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Which condition is described by an increase in cell size without an increase in cell number?
Which condition is described by an increase in cell size without an increase in cell number?
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What is the potential risk associated with having dysplastic nevi?
What is the potential risk associated with having dysplastic nevi?
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What is hyperplasia often a response to?
What is hyperplasia often a response to?
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In which of the following conditions is breast hyperplasia physiological?
In which of the following conditions is breast hyperplasia physiological?
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What is one primary purpose of tumor markers?
What is one primary purpose of tumor markers?
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Which of the following accurately describes PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)?
Which of the following accurately describes PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)?
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What characteristic is associated with malignant tumor histology?
What characteristic is associated with malignant tumor histology?
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Which therapy involves the use of positively charged particles to treat cancer?
Which therapy involves the use of positively charged particles to treat cancer?
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What aspect is crucial for determining the management of cancers?
What aspect is crucial for determining the management of cancers?
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What is a potential effect of chemotherapy?
What is a potential effect of chemotherapy?
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Which of the following statements about targeted cancer therapy is true?
Which of the following statements about targeted cancer therapy is true?
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What condition may cause PSA levels to rise significantly, potentially misleading diagnosis?
What condition may cause PSA levels to rise significantly, potentially misleading diagnosis?
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What is the main risk factor for lung cancer in the general population?
What is the main risk factor for lung cancer in the general population?
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Which of the following viruses is linked to cervical cancer?
Which of the following viruses is linked to cervical cancer?
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What characterizes a malignant neoplasm?
What characterizes a malignant neoplasm?
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What type of cancer is associated with the Philadelphia chromosome?
What type of cancer is associated with the Philadelphia chromosome?
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Which of the following is a symptom of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP)?
Which of the following is a symptom of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP)?
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How does obesity relate to cancer risks?
How does obesity relate to cancer risks?
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In the context of tumour classification, what does the 'TNM' system assess?
In the context of tumour classification, what does the 'TNM' system assess?
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What is a common clinical effect of a tumour?
What is a common clinical effect of a tumour?
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What causes the formation of N-nitroso compounds in the stomach?
What causes the formation of N-nitroso compounds in the stomach?
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Which of the following is NOT a common paraneoplastic syndrome?
Which of the following is NOT a common paraneoplastic syndrome?
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How is the cancer cachexia syndrome characterized?
How is the cancer cachexia syndrome characterized?
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What mechanism allows retroviruses to alter host cell DNA?
What mechanism allows retroviruses to alter host cell DNA?
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What characterizes benign neoplasms?
What characterizes benign neoplasms?
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Which of the following is a common investigation method for cancer diagnosis?
Which of the following is a common investigation method for cancer diagnosis?
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What allows malignant cells to replicate indefinitely?
What allows malignant cells to replicate indefinitely?
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Which characteristic of malignant cells contributes to their ability to invade surrounding tissues?
Which characteristic of malignant cells contributes to their ability to invade surrounding tissues?
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Which factor does NOT typically contribute to the aetiology of malignant disease?
Which factor does NOT typically contribute to the aetiology of malignant disease?
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What is the role of p53 in preventing cancer?
What is the role of p53 in preventing cancer?
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What is a characteristic of malignant cells that differentiates them from normal cells?
What is a characteristic of malignant cells that differentiates them from normal cells?
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Which of the following conditions is associated with inborn zygotic mutations leading to cancer?
Which of the following conditions is associated with inborn zygotic mutations leading to cancer?
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What is meant by the term 'anchorage-independent growth' in malignant cells?
What is meant by the term 'anchorage-independent growth' in malignant cells?
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Which genetic alteration is characterized by a chromosomal translocation and associated with certain leukemias?
Which genetic alteration is characterized by a chromosomal translocation and associated with certain leukemias?
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What factor is involved in promoting angiogenesis in tumor growth?
What factor is involved in promoting angiogenesis in tumor growth?
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Which statement regarding apoptotic resistance in malignant cells is true?
Which statement regarding apoptotic resistance in malignant cells is true?
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What is a consequence of increased autocrine signaling in cancer cells?
What is a consequence of increased autocrine signaling in cancer cells?
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Which cancer type is most commonly associated with mutations in the APC gene?
Which cancer type is most commonly associated with mutations in the APC gene?
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What role does the microenvironment play in cancer development?
What role does the microenvironment play in cancer development?
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Study Notes
Cancer: A Multifaceted Problem
- Cancer is a cellular phenomenon, affecting multicellular organisms. Single-celled organisms are not susceptible.
- Cancer arises from uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation.
- It's a collection of various diseases originating from diverse tissues and cells, some more vulnerable than others.
- Cancer develops over time, often linked to accumulated mutated genes in older individuals.
Characteristics of Malignant Cells
- Loss of Growth Control: Cells exhibit autonomy from normal growth signals, dividing excessively. They also ignore inhibitory signals.
- Resistance to Apoptosis: Cancer cells evade programmed cell death (apoptosis), leading to prolonged survival.
- Unlimited Replicative Potential: Telomerase, an enzyme, enables continuous cell division, unlike normal cells.
- Sustained Angiogenesis: Cancer cells stimulate new blood vessel growth to supply nutrients and oxygen, aiding spread.
- Invasiveness and Metastasis: Cancer cells invade neighboring tissues and colonize distant sites (metastasis).
- Anchorage-Independent Growth & Contact Inhibition Loss: Cancer cells proliferate without attachment to surfaces and override the normal cell-contact signals that halt growth.
- Autocrine Signaling: Cancer cells produce their own growth factors, rather than relying on signals from other cells.
Causes of Cancer (Aetiology)
- Genetic Mutations: Inherited (zygotic) and acquired (somatic) mutations contribute significantly.
- Environmental Factors: Viruses, chemical exposures, and radiation are environmental risk factors.
- Abnormal Tissue Microenvironment: Factors like blood vessels, fibroblasts, and immune cells can influence cancer development.
- Age: Increased age is associated with a growing risk of cancer due to the increased likelihood of accumulated mutations.
- Lifestyle: Diet, exercise, and other lifestyle choices can also play a role in cancer development.
Specific Risk Factors & Cancer Types
- BRCA1/2: Mutations linked to breast and ovarian cancer risk.
- p53: Mutations in p53 are common in various cancers.
- Oncogenic Viruses: Some viruses (e.g., HPV, Epstein-Barr) can trigger cancers.
- Chemical Exposure: Certain chemicals are linked to particular cancers.
- UV Radiation: Increases the risk of various skin cancers
Tumor Types & Characteristics
- Benign Neoplasms: Usually encapsulated, non-invasive, and grow slowly. These tumors are rarely, if ever, metastatic.
- Malignant Neoplasms: Lack encapsulation, are invasive, grow rapidly, and metastasize.
- Histogenetic Classification: Classifying cancers based on their cell or tissue type of origin (carcinomas, sarcomas, leukemias, lymphomas).
Clinical Effects of Tumors
- General Effects: Fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea.
- Local Effects: Pain, compression, obstruction, ulceration, rupture.
- Endocrine Effects: Hormonal disruptions related to the tumor.
- Paraneoplastic Syndromes: Symptoms unrelated to the tumor's direct effects or spread.
Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment
- Diagnosis: Often involves physical exams, imaging (CT, MRI, PET), blood tests, biopsies.
- Tumor Markers: Substances in blood/urine/tissue used for various purposes regarding diagnosis, treatment monitoring and prognosis.
- Treatment: Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, stem cell transplantation.
Additional Notes
- Cancer cachexia: a syndrome involving muscle loss, fat loss, and metabolic abnormalities associated with cancer.
- Liquid Biopsy: analyzes circulating tumor cells and DNA for cancer detection.
- TNM staging system used for classifying cancer severity.
- Survival rates are typically measured over a five-year period.
- Chemotherapy side effects: infections, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, anemia.
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Description
This quiz delves into the complex nature of cancer, exploring its origins, characteristics of malignant cells, and the mechanisms behind uncontrolled growth and metastasis. Test your knowledge on the cellular basis of cancer, the factors contributing to its development, and the unique traits that define cancerous cells.