Questions and Answers
How is cancer classified?
Based on histological origin and primary tumor location.
What is the most common cancer type?
Carcinomas
What is a carcinoma?
Originates from epithelial cells and accounts for 80-90% of all cancer cases.
What are the subtypes of carcinomas?
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What is a sarcoma?
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What are some types of sarcomas?
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What is a myeloma?
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What is leukemia?
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What are the different types of leukemia?
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What is lymphoma?
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What are the types of lymphoma?
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What are Reed-Sternberg cells indicative of?
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What is the Philadelphia Chromosome indicative of?
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What are mixed cancer types?
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Why do we need cancer staging and grading?
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What is the most common staging system?
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What does the T in TNM mean?
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What does the N in TNM mean?
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What does the M in TNM mean?
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What would T2N2M2 mean?
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What is the stage grouping for cancer?
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What are the gradings for breast and prostate cancer?
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What is the general grading system for cancer?
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What are tumor markers?
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Study Notes
Cancer Classifications
- Cancer is classified based on histological origin and primary tumor location.
- Main types include carcinoma, sarcoma, myeloma, leukemia, lymphoma, and mixed types.
Common Cancer Type
- Carcinomas are the most prevalent cancer type, originating from epithelial cells found throughout the body.
Carcinoma Overview
- Constitutes 80-90% of all cancer cases and affects organs or glands that secrete substances.
Carcinoma Subtypes
- Adenocarcinoma: Glandular tissue origin.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Lines organs and cavities.
- Basal Cell Carcinoma: Most common among Caucasians, primarily affects skin exposed to sun/radiation.
Sarcoma Overview
- Originates from connective or supportive tissues, primarily affecting young adults due to rapid cell division during growth.
Types of Sarcomas
- Osteosarcoma: In bones.
- Chondrosarcoma: In cartilage.
- Leiomyosarcoma: In smooth muscle, often in the uterus.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma: In skeletal muscle.
- Mesothelioma: In membranous lining of body cavities.
- Glioma: In neurogenic connective tissue, found in the brain or spinal cord.
Myeloma Overview
- Arises from plasma cells in the bone marrow; can lead to anemia and fatigue.
Leukemia Overview
- Originates from myeloid and lymphoid cell lines in the bone marrow, categorized as a type of blood cancer.
Types of Leukemia
- Includes myelogenous/granulocytic and lymphatic/lymphocytic leukemia.
- Common forms: Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).
Lymphoma Overview
- Develops in the lymphatic system (spleen, tonsils, thymus) and manifests as solid tumors, diagnosed through biopsy.
Types of Lymphomas
- Extranodal Lymphomas: Occurs outside the lymph nodes (e.g., stomach, breast, brain).
- Hodgkin Lymphoma: Characterized by Reed-Sternberg cells.
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Comprises numerous subtypes.
Reed-Sternberg Cells
- Indicative of Hodgkin lymphoma, critical for diagnosis.
Philadelphia Chromosome
- An anomaly found on chromosome 22, commonly associated with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML).
Mixed Cancer Types
- Can originate from either the same category or different categories, including adenosquamous carcinoma and carcinosarcoma.
Importance of Cancer Staging and Grading
- Essential for treatment decisions, prognosis assessment, and guiding research efforts.
TNM Staging System
- Widely utilized staging method based on Tumor, Node, and Metastasis.
Breakdown of TNM Components
-
T (Primary Tumor): Evaluates size and extent.
- T0: No primary tumor.
- T1-T4: Varying sizes/extent.
-
N (Lymph Node Invasion): Assesses regional lymph node involvement.
- N0: No involvement.
- N1-N3: Varies according to extent.
-
M (Distant Metastasis): Indicates presence of metastasis.
- M0: No distant metastasis.
- M1: Distant metastasis present.
Understanding Staging Examples
- T2N2M2 indicates a moderate-sized tumor affecting two lymph node chains and showing metastasis in two sites, suggesting aggressive disease.
Cancer Stage Grouping
- Stage 0: Carcinoma in situ.
- Stage I-III: Varying sizes and local invasion.
- Stage IV: Indicates metastasis.
Specific Grading Systems
- Breast Cancer: Evaluated using the Nottingham grading system.
- Prostate Cancer: Assessed with the Gleason scoring system.
General Cancer Grading System
- GX: Undetermined grade.
- G1: Well differentiated (low grade).
- G2: Moderately differentiated (intermediate grade).
- G3: Poorly differentiated (high grade).
- G4: Undifferentiated (high grade).
- Higher grades correlate with worse prognosis and increased spread likelihood.
Tumor Markers
- Include proteins, gene expressions, and altered DNA profiles; may indicate cancer presence or characteristics.
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Test your knowledge on cancer classifications with these flashcards. Learn about different types of cancer, including carcinomas, sarcomas, and lymphomas, as well as their histological origins. Perfect for students and professionals in the medical field.
