Cancer: Characteristics and Origins
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Questions and Answers

What is a core feature of all cancer cells?

  • Decreased cell size
  • Improved differentiation
  • Lack of nutritional requirements
  • Uncontrolled growth (correct)
  • Which of the following terms describes an abnormal mass of proliferating cells?

  • Dysplasia
  • Neoplasia (correct)
  • Metaplasia
  • Anaplasia
  • Which type of cancer is the most common among females worldwide?

  • Colorectal cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Breast cancer (correct)
  • Prostate cancer
  • What change characterizes dysplasia in cells?

    <p>Alteration in size, shape, and organization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition is described by an increase in cell size without an increase in cell number?

    <p>Hypertrophy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the potential risk associated with having dysplastic nevi?

    <p>Increased risk of developing melanomas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is hyperplasia often a response to?

    <p>Specific stimuli</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which of the following conditions is breast hyperplasia physiological?

    <p>Pregnancy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one primary purpose of tumor markers?

    <p>To assist in monitoring therapy and recurrence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following accurately describes PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)?

    <p>It can indicate benign prostatic hyperplasia without cancer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic is associated with malignant tumor histology?

    <p>Nuclear enlargement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which therapy involves the use of positively charged particles to treat cancer?

    <p>Proton beam therapy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect is crucial for determining the management of cancers?

    <p>How aggressive the tumor is</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential effect of chemotherapy?

    <p>Frequent infections</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about targeted cancer therapy is true?

    <p>It targets specific molecules involved in tumor growth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What condition may cause PSA levels to rise significantly, potentially misleading diagnosis?

    <p>Benign prostatic hyperplasia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main risk factor for lung cancer in the general population?

    <p>Tobacco consumption</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following viruses is linked to cervical cancer?

    <p>Human papillomavirus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes a malignant neoplasm?

    <p>Invasive and poorly differentiated</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of cancer is associated with the Philadelphia chromosome?

    <p>Chronic myelogenous leukaemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a symptom of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP)?

    <p>Irregular dark spots on the skin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does obesity relate to cancer risks?

    <p>It increases the risk for several types of cancer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of tumour classification, what does the 'TNM' system assess?

    <p>Tumour size, nodal involvement, and metastasis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common clinical effect of a tumour?

    <p>Fatigue</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes the formation of N-nitroso compounds in the stomach?

    <p>Digestion of red meat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a common paraneoplastic syndrome?

    <p>Acne vulgaris</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the cancer cachexia syndrome characterized?

    <p>Progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What mechanism allows retroviruses to alter host cell DNA?

    <p>Reverse transcriptase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes benign neoplasms?

    <p>Encapsulated and non-invasive</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a common investigation method for cancer diagnosis?

    <p>Pap smear test</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What allows malignant cells to replicate indefinitely?

    <p>Presence of telomerase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic of malignant cells contributes to their ability to invade surrounding tissues?

    <p>Sustained angiogenesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor does NOT typically contribute to the aetiology of malignant disease?

    <p>Hormonal fluctuations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of p53 in preventing cancer?

    <p>Repairs DNA and controls apoptosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of malignant cells that differentiates them from normal cells?

    <p>Resistance to contact inhibition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following conditions is associated with inborn zygotic mutations leading to cancer?

    <p>Li-Fraumeni syndrome</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by the term 'anchorage-independent growth' in malignant cells?

    <p>They can grow without needing to attach to a surface</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which genetic alteration is characterized by a chromosomal translocation and associated with certain leukemias?

    <p>Philadelphia chromosome</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor is involved in promoting angiogenesis in tumor growth?

    <p>Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement regarding apoptotic resistance in malignant cells is true?

    <p>They can resist programmed cell death and survive longer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of increased autocrine signaling in cancer cells?

    <p>Uncontrolled cell proliferation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cancer type is most commonly associated with mutations in the APC gene?

    <p>Colorectal cancer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the microenvironment play in cancer development?

    <p>Influences tumor growth through cell interactions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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.

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