Neoplasms and Tumor Characteristics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary clinical distinction that influences therapy for neoplasms?

Benign vs malignant nature (correct)

Size of the neoplasm

Location of the neoplasm

Growth rate of the tumor

What characterizes benign neoplasms in terms of cellular differentiation?

Highly anaplastic

Moderately differentiated

Well-differentiated (correct)

Poorly differentiated

What does anaplasia refer to in tumor cells?

Uniform cell structure

Regular mitotic activity

Increased functionality of the cells

Lack of differentiation (correct)

Which of the following is a common characteristic of malignant tumors?

Marked pleomorphism and hyperchromatism Signup and view all the answers

What is dysplasia most accurately described as?

Disorderly but non-neoplastic proliferation Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic differentiates in-situ malignancy from invasive malignancy?

Invasion through basement membrane Signup and view all the answers

What is one feature that is NOT typically associated with a premalignant condition?

Invasion of surrounding tissues Signup and view all the answers

Tumors are composed of two main components, what are they?

Stroma and parenchyma Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sites is commonly associated with premalignant changes?

Cervix Signup and view all the answers

How are tumors typically named?

By their cellular origin Signup and view all the answers

What stage occurs after the immune system initially detects and attempts to eliminate cancerous cells?

Equilibrium Signup and view all the answers

Which theory of cancer suggests that specific genetic mutations are associated with specific types of cancer?

Somatic Mutation Theory Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'clonality' refer to in the context of neoplastic cells?

Non-lethal genetic changes passed onto daughter cells Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical factor that distinguishes neoplastic cells from normal cells?

Their unregulated growth and division Signup and view all the answers

In which condition do neoplastic cells typically exhibit loss of heterozygosity?

Mosaicism in heterozygous women Signup and view all the answers

What defines the final step in the immunological theory of cancer?

Dominance of the tumor over the immune system Signup and view all the answers

The Stem Cell Theory of Cancer describes cancer as arising from what?

An unregulated stem cell Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is characteristic of malignant tumors compared to benign tumors?

Infiltration and invasion of surrounding tissues Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a benign neoplasm?

It remains at its site of origin. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about malignant neoplasms?

They can spread to distant sites. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of cancer as described?

Genetic mutations acquired from environmental insults. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'clonality' in the context of neoplasms?

Cells originate from a single ancestral cell. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features is consistent with dysplasia?

Abnormal cell growth and organization. Signup and view all the answers

How do genetic alterations contribute to cancer development?

They can cause aberrant cell behavior and growth. Signup and view all the answers

How can neoplastic growth be distinguished from normal cell growth?

Neoplastic cells grow uncontrollably even after stimuli removal. Signup and view all the answers

What role do oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes play in cancer?

They are responsible for modifications in cancer cells. Signup and view all the answers

What suffix is used to denote benign tumors?

-oma Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a malignant epithelial neoplasm?

Basal cell carcinoma Signup and view all the answers

What type of benign tumor originates from adipose tissue?

Lipoma Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a malignant connective tissue neoplasm?

Fibroma Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neoplasm is associated with germ cell tumors in the testis?

Seminoma Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a benign tumor of the muscle tissue?

Leiomyoma Signup and view all the answers

Which is a characteristic feature of adenocarcinomas?

Derived from glandular tissue Signup and view all the answers

Which type of lymphoma is specifically called Hodgkin's disease?

Malignant lymphoma Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the rate of cell proliferation in cancerous tissues?

It increases as more cells enter the cell cycle. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary causes of disrupted balance between cell growth and death in cancer?

Loss of a cell's ability to undergo apoptosis. Signup and view all the answers

How do alterations in growth control affect cell lifespan in cancer?

Cell lifespan is increased due to decreased apoptosis. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of interaction is important for normal cell function and growth regulation?

Cell-cell interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of malignant neoplasms compared to benign neoplasms?

Higher mitotic count with abnormal mitosis. Signup and view all the answers

What indicates the alteration of growth factors in cancer?

Autocrine or paracrine effects of growth factors. Signup and view all the answers

What describes the effect of angiogenesis in cancer?

Formation of new blood vessels to support tumor growth. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common alteration in receptors in cancer cells?

Increased expression of mutated receptors. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Neoplasia I - Session 9

Neoplasia is a general term for abnormal cellular growth
Tumors are a swelling resulting from any cause—inflammation, trauma or abnormal growth
Neoplasm specifically refers to abnormal cellular growth that persists after initiating stimulus is removed
Cell growth that does not respond to normal regulatory mechanisms is indicative of a neoplasm
There are benign and malignant neoplasms

Benign Neoplasm

Cells grow in a compact mass
Remain at the site of origin
Example: colonic adenoma

Malignant Neoplasm

Cell growth is uncontrolled
Cells can spread into surrounding tissue and to distant sites
Cancer is a malignant neoplasm

Cancer Characteristics

Cancer is a genetic disorder due to DNA mutations
Mutations can be from spontaneous causes or environmental insults
These mutations are heritable and passed on during cell division
Cells with these alterations are subject to Darwinian selection
The changes in DNA cause an alteration in cell growth and behaviour
Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are altered
Gene alterations happen from normal to benign to malignant

Immunological Theory of Cancer

Immune system surveys and destroys cancerous cells
Tumorous cells may remain undetected and dormant during a period of “equilibrium”
In the escape phase, tumors overpower immune system and spread

Somatic Mutation Theory of Cancer

Analysis of cancer development through genetic factors
Specific mutations directly correlate with specific cancers

Stem Cell Theory of Cancer

Cancer is a result of unregulated stem cell growth

Tumor Progression

Multiple mutations lead to colon cancer
Genetic changes result in tumor changes

Clonality

The change must be non-lethal and passed to daughter cells
Therefore, genetic alterations exist in every cell of a monoclonal population
Initially demonstrated using enzyme G6PD encoded on the X chromosome

Neoplastic vs Normal Cells

Growth control is altered: Proliferation is stimulated while cell death is suppressed
Factors which regulate growth, including receptors, are altered
Cellular interactions between cells, and with stroma, are also altered

Growth Control

Increased cell proliferation: more cells enter cell cycle, cycle is speeded up
Cells have changed life span due to decreased apoptosis
Modifications in cell metabolism
Angiogenesis is altered
In normal tissues, the rates of new cell growth and old cell death are in balance
In cancer, this balance is disrupted
This disruption can lead to uncontrolled cell growth or loss of a cells’ ability to undergo apoptosis

Growth Control (Altered synthesis of growth factors)

Autocrine or paracrine effect altered
Altered receptors—increased, decreased, mutated
Excess/modified growth control proteins

Cellular Interactions

Cell-cell interactions
Cell-stromal interactions (e.g., with the basement membrane)
Important for differentiation, embryogenesis, and growth regulation in normal cells

Differences Between Benign and Malignant Neoplasms

Size
Growth characteristics
Vascularity/necrosis
Function
Invasion/metastasis

Differentiation

How close the parenchymal cells resemble the normal cells of the type
- more differentiated cells retain more functional capabilities of the normal counterparts, benign tumors usually have well-differentiated cells.
- Lack of differentiation is designated as anaplasia,
  - anaplasia includes bizarre nuclei, atypical mitoses, loss of polarity,
  - more rapidly growing tumors that are more anaplastic less likely to have specialized function activity

In-situ Malignancy

Epithelial neoplasm shows evidence of malignancy—altered cell growth, cytological atypia, altered differentiation
BUT no basement membrane invasion

Possible Events

Benign to Benign
Benign to Dysplasia
Benign to Dysplasia to In-situ
Benign to Dysplasia to In-situ to Invasive
Dysplasia to In-Situ to Invasive
In-situ to Invasive
Invasive to Invasive

Nomenclature

Tumors composed of stroma (supporting connective tissue, blood supply) and parenchyma (neoplastic cells, which determine biologic behavior)
Named according to parenchyma, organ, or cell type (e.g., Hepatoma- liver, Osteoma-bone)
Named according to pattern or structure (e.g., Fluid-filled → CYST, Glandular → ADENO, Finger-like → PAPILLO, Stalk → POLYP)

Types of Neoplasms (Benign vs Malignant)

Benign: Epithelial, Connective tissue, Lymphoid/haemopoietic, Germ cell
Malignant: Epithelial, Connective tissue, Lymphoid/haemopoietic, Germ cell

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Description

Test your knowledge on the clinical distinctions of neoplasms and their characteristics. This quiz covers topics such as cellular differentiation, anaplasia, dysplasia, and the classification of tumors. Perfect for students studying oncology or pathology.