Questions and Answers
What is cancer?
Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.
What is a neoplasm?
Malignant neoplasms invade adjacent tissues.
True
Benign tumors can metastasize to other parts of the body.
Signup and view all the answers
What does oncology study?
Signup and view all the answers
What accounts for most cancer fatalities?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following are general causes associated with malignancies? (Select all that apply)
Signup and view all the answers
What virus is associated with liver cancer?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of cancer is associated with Schistosoma japonicum?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a consequence of Helicobacter pylori infection?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
What is Cancer?
- Cancer is marked by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.
- Abnormal cells form neoplasms, categorized as benign or malignant.
Definitions of Neoplasms
- Neoplasm: A new and abnormal tissue growth.
-
Malignant Neoplasm:
- Characterized by uncontrolled cell division.
- Invades surrounding tissues, destroying adjacent cells.
- Capable of metastasis, spreading via blood or lymphatic systems.
-
Benign Neoplasm:
- Growth is self-limited and does not continue indefinitely.
- Does not invade or destroy neighboring tissues.
- Does not metastasize.
Oncology
- Focuses on study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer.
- Understanding metastasis is crucial as it accounts for most cancer-related deaths.
Metastasis and Tissue Invasion
- Distant metastasis involves tumor cells detaching from a primary tumor and establishing growth in new locations.
- Tissue invasion refers to cancer extension beyond adjacent tissues into other organs.
Intravasation and Extravasation
- Nanoparticles (NPs) may facilitate the process of cancer cells entering the bloodstream by weakening blood vessel barriers.
- In experimental setups, injected NPs into mice increased circulating tumor cells (CTCs) by disrupting endothelial cell connections.
General Causes of Malignancies
- Key factors linked to cancer development include:
- Cigarette tobacco
- Alcohol consumption
- Dietary factors
- Ultraviolet light exposure
- Infectious agents
- Certain drugs and hormones (e.g., estrogens linked to specific carcinomas)
Biological Agents and Associated Cancers
-
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV):
- Associated with liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma).
- Causes persistent liver inflammation and cellular damage.
- Vaccination can significantly lower liver cancer risk.
-
Schistosoma japonicum (Parasite):
- Linked to gut cancers (including colorectal) and bladder cancer.
- Causes chronic tissue inflammation and scarring, increasing cancer risks.
-
Helicobacter pylori (Bacterium):
- Associated with stomach cancer (gastric cancer).
- Involves chronic inflammation leading to mutations in gastric tissues.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz focuses on the first lecture of Physiology 364, covering the nature of cancer. It describes cancer as a disease marked by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells and explores the characteristics of neoplasms, including benign and malignant classifications. Test your understanding of these foundational concepts in cancer physiology.
