Defining Cancer Quiz

Defining Cancer

• Neoplasm: An abnormal mass of tissue due to uncontrolled cell division or reduced cell death. Can be solid or fluid-filled.
• Malignant: Cancer that invades neighbouring tissues, enters blood vessels, and spreads to other areas (metastasis).
• Pre-malignant: A pre-cancerous state.
• Benign: Not cancerous; tumor cells grow locally and cannot spread by invasion or metastasis.

Cancer Cell Properties

• Proliferation: Increased cell growth and division.
• Survival: Resistance to apoptosis (programmed cell death).
• Angiogenesis: Formation of new blood vessels needed for tumor growth.
• Invasion: Cells spread into surrounding tissue.
• Metastasis: Cancer cells spread to distant parts of the body.

Cancer Classification

• Primary Cancer: The original site of the cancer.
• Secondary Cancer: Cancer that has spread from the primary site.
• A primary can sometimes become a secondary cancer if it spreads (e.g. breast primary to lung secondary).

Cancer Categories

• Carcinoma: Malignant cancer of epithelial origin (lining of internal or external body parts). Examples: breast, lung, colon, prostate, bladder cancers, squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas.

• Sarcoma: Cancer of supportive and connective tissues (bones, tendons, cartilage, muscle, fat).

• Myeloma: Cancer of plasma cells in bone marrow.

• Leukemia: Cancer of blood-forming cells in bone marrow (e.g., white blood cells).

• Lymphoma: Cancer of lymphatic system (lymph nodes, vessels, etc). The two main types are Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

• Mixed Types: Cancers that have components from different cancer categories.

Tumor Grading

• Classification of tumor cells based on appearance under a microscope.
• Grades 0-IV (well-differentiated to undifferentiated).

Cancer Staging

• Determining the extent of cancer in the body.
• Uses the TNM system (tumor size, lymph node involvement, distant metastasis).
• Overall stage grouping; stages I-IV.

Comprehensive Genomic Profiling

• Identifies cancer-relevant genes and emerging immunotherapy biomarkers (TMB).

Oncogenes & Tumor Suppressor Genes

• Oncogenes: Permanently turned “on”, accelerating cell division.
• Tumor Suppressor Genes: Inhibit cell proliferation.

Hereditary Cancer Syndromes

• Genetic mutations increase cancer risk inherited from parents. Examples include retinoblastoma, Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)

• Genetic mutations in the APC gene causing numerous colorectal polyps.
• Increases risk of colon cancer.
• Requires total colectomy (removal of the entire colon).

Avoidable Cancer Risk Factors

• Smoking
• Unhealthy lifestyle
• Overexposure to sunlight, UV radiation.
• Infections
• Environmental toxins, industrial carcinogens.

Test your knowledge on the definitions, properties, and classifications of cancer. This quiz covers key concepts including neoplasms, malignant and benign tumors, and the processes of metastasis and angiogenesis. Perfect for students studying biology or healthcare professionals looking to refresh their understanding.