Oncogenes and Cancer Quiz

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the KRAS oncogene?

Regulation of transcription

Signal transduction (correct)

Cell cycle regulation

Growth factor activity

Which oncogene is associated with Burkitt lymphoma?

PDGF

c-MYC (correct)

BRAF

ERBB1

What kind of cancer is associated with the BRAF oncogene?

Mantle cell lymphoma

Melanoma (correct)

Hepatocellular carcinoma

Leukemia

Which oncogene acts as a growth factor receptor linked to squamous cell carcinoma of the lung?

ERBB1 Signup and view all the answers

What role does Cyclin-D play in cellular processes?

Cell cycle regulator Signup and view all the answers

What type of cancer is linked to the PDGF oncogene?

Leukemia Signup and view all the answers

Which growth factor is mentioned in the context of hepatocellular carcinoma?

TGFA Signup and view all the answers

In the context of oncogenes, which component activates transcription?

MAPK Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor that leads to the transformation of a normal cell into a tumor cell?

Mutation in tumor suppressor gene or oncogene Signup and view all the answers

Which process contributes to the genetic heterogeneity of tumor cells?

Acquisition of additional mutations Signup and view all the answers

What does clonal expansion refer to in the context of tumor cells?

The proliferation of surviving cell variants Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following capabilities is associated with tumor cells that gain a growth advantage?

Enhanced ability to evade growth inhibitory signals Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for tumor cells to achieve immortality?

Continuous genetic mutations Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the progression phase in the development of cancer?

Loss of control of cell division Signup and view all the answers

What allows tumor cells to generate their own blood supply?

Ability to grow autonomously Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT typically associated with invasive metastatic tumor cells?

Requirement for numerous growth factors Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily required for a collection of cells to acquire a malignant phenotype?

Multiple genetic alterations Signup and view all the answers

Why do most cancers occur in older individuals?

Accumulation of genetic alterations over a lifetime Signup and view all the answers

What function does the RB gene primarily serve?

Regulation of cell cycle Signup and view all the answers

In familial retinoblastoma, what primarily happens to the RB1 gene?

Only one allele is inherited and mutated later Signup and view all the answers

What role does the BRCA1 gene play in cancer development?

DNA repair Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cancers requires only two genetic 'hits' for its development?

Retinoblastoma Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of P16/INK4 in cellular processes?

Inhibits cell cycle entry into the S phase Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism allows certain tumors to circumvent cell death?

By continuously elongating chromosome ends Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the adenoma–carcinoma sequence in cancer development?

It hypothesizes a specific pathway for developing most epithelial cancers. Signup and view all the answers

Why are cellular mutations in cancer often not readily beneficial?

Some mutations can hinder essential cell processes. Signup and view all the answers

How long does it typically take for an adenomatous polyp to progress to invasive carcinoma?

10 years or more Signup and view all the answers

What generally happens to most cells in malignant neoplasms?

They die due to excessive genetic mutations. Signup and view all the answers

What can some subclones acquire that gives cancer cells a proliferation advantage?

Random abilities to harness alternate energy sources. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the origin of metastatic lesions?

They arise many years after the initial transformation. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of cancer evolution is similar to other evolutionary processes?

Evolutionary processes take a significant amount of time. Signup and view all the answers

What is a typical characteristic of precursor lesions in colon cancer?

They are easily removed and subject to genetic analysis. Signup and view all the answers

What defines an adenomatous polyp compared to other types of polyps?

Adenomatous polyps harbor neoplastic genetic mutations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason periodic screening colonoscopies are recommended starting at age 50?

To identify and remove polyps before they can become malignant. Signup and view all the answers

What key ability must neoplastic clones acquire for malignancy to develop?

The ability to invade and metastasize. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to adenomatous polyps if they are left untreated?

They can accumulate further mutations and become malignant. Signup and view all the answers

Why can malignancies be viewed as 'experiments in evolution'?

They possess random mutations that are subject to evolutionary selection. Signup and view all the answers

What function do enzymes produced by aggressive neoplastic clones serve?

To digest extracellular matrix and facilitate movement. Signup and view all the answers

How many mutations typically characterize a malignant tumor arising from a single neoplastic clone?

Multiple mutations accumulate over generations. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common challenge in developing effective cancer treatment?

Cancers exhibit immense genetic variability and mutations. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the abnormality where cells show atypical characteristics but remain localized to their tissue of origin?

Dysplasia Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of dysplastic cells in relation to cancer development?

They may develop into overt malignancy if not removed. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a carcinoma in situ?

A localized cancer that has not invaded surrounding tissues. Signup and view all the answers

What cellular feature is primarily associated with dysplastic cells?

Enlarged nuclei of irregular shape Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about neoplastic clones is correct?

They can be atypical but localized. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of surgical excision in the context of dysplastic lesions?

It may prevent the progression to overt malignancy. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the presence of multiple, enlarged nuclei in cells?

Uncontrolled growth or dysplasia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the typical characteristics of normal colonic glands compared to dysplastic glands?

Uniform size and peripheral arrangement of nuclei Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definitions

Neoplasia is a "heritably altered, relatively autonomous, new growth of cells"
Tumor is a general medical term for any mass or swelling, not specifically neoplastic or benign
Benign neoplasms are localized and do not spread
Malignant neoplasms (malignancies/cancers) have the potential to spread beyond their origin
Invasion is the direct extension of neoplastic cells into surrounding tissue
Metastasis is the transplantation of cells to an entirely new site

Key Growth Characteristics

Benign: Slow growth rate, encapsulated borders, no metastasis
Malignant: Rapid growth rate, irregular/infiltrative borders, metastasis

Key Terms

Adenoma-carcinoma sequence: A series of steps from benign adenoma to malignant carcinoma
Angiogenesis: Formation of new blood vessels
Anorexia: Loss of appetite
Benign: Non-cancerous
Cachexia: Wasting syndrome
Cancer: A malignant neoplasm
Carcinogen: A cancer-causing agent
Carcinoma: Malignant neoplasm of epithelial tissue
Carcinoma in situ: Cancer cells confined to the original tissue
Cellular atypia: Cell changes indicating possible malignancy
Chemical carcinogenesis: Cancer caused by chemicals
Chemotherapy: Treatment using chemicals to kill cancer cells
Clone: Group of cells derived from a single original cell
Differentiated: Closely resembling original tissue type
Dysplasia: Abnormal changes in cell size, shape, and arrangement
Extravasation: Process where cells leave the blood vessels
Familial cancer syndrome: Increased risk of cancer due to inherited genetic mutations
False negative: Test result indicates no disease, but disease is present
False positive: Test result indicates disease, but disease is not present
5- or 10-year survival: Percentage of patients alive after 5 or 10 years
Grade: A measure of how abnormal cancer cells appear under a microscope
High-risk HPV: Human papillomavirus strains associated with an increased risk of cancer
Hormonal therapy: Treatment using hormones or hormone-blocking drugs to combat or prevent cancer
Inherited genetic mutation: Genetic defect passed from parent to offspring
Initiation: Early stage of cancer development, involving genetic damage
Intravasation: Process where cells enter the blood vessels
Leukemia: Cancer of blood-forming cells
Lymphoma: Cancer of lymphatic system cells
Malignancy: General term for a cancerous condition (malignant neoplasm)
Metastasis: Cancer spread from primary site to secondary location
Mutation: Change in DNA sequence
Neoplasia: General term for new growth
Occult blood: Hidden blood
Oncogene: Gene that promotes cell growth
Oncogenic virus: Virus capable of causing cancer
p53 tumor suppressor gene: Gene crucial for preventing tumor development
Palliative care: Treatment to control symptoms rather than cure disease
Paraneoplastic syndrome: Symptoms caused by tumor products beyond the tumor site
Pap smear: Screening test for cervical cancer
Progression: Later stage of cancer development, involving further mutations
Promotion: Stage of cancer development that involves growth of initiated cells
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA): Blood test for prostate cancer
Radiation: Treatment modality that uses high energy rays to kill cancer cells
Radiation therapy: Treatment that uses high-energy rays (X-rays) to destroy cancer cells
Risk factors: Factors that increase the chance of developing cancer
Sarcoma: Malignant neoplasm of mesenchymal tissue
Screening procedure: Exam to detect cancer early
Stage: A measure of the extent of a cancer's spread
Surgical removal: A treatment modality to fully or partially remove the cancer
Targeted therapy: Treatment focusing on specific cancer cell characteristics
Tissue diagnosis: Analysis of a sample of body tissue
TNM system: Staging system for cancer (tumor, node, metastasis)
Transformation: Cancer development
Tumor: A mass of abnormal cells
Tumor suppressor gene: Gene that inhibits cell growth
Ultraviolet light: Radiation from the sun causing skin cancer

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on the functions of various oncogenes and their associations with different types of cancer. This quiz covers critical concepts related to oncogenes such as KRAS, BRAF, and their roles in tumor development and cellular processes. Challenge yourself to understand the mechanisms behind cancer progression and genetic heterogeneity.