16 Questions
What is a tumor, and how does it differ from cancer?
A tumor is an abnormal growth or proliferation of cells, but not all tumors are cancerous. Benign tumors are abnormal proliferations of normal cells, while malignant tumors are abnormal proliferations of abnormal cells and are cancerous.
What is the main focus of tumor immunology?
The main focus of tumor immunology is the study of the antigens associated with tumors, the immune response to tumors, the tumor's effect on the host's immune status, and the use of the immune system to help eradicate the tumor.
What is the process of programmed cell death, and how is it related to cancer?
Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death, and it is a hallmark of cancer cells. Cancer cells often have broken apoptotic controls, which allows them to resist apoptosis and continue to grow uncontrollably.
What is the role of protooncogenes in cell growth and division?
Protooncogenes are regulatory genes that promote cell division. When their expression is altered or they are mutated into oncogenes, they can cause uncontrolled growth and potentially lead to tumors.
What is the process of angiogenesis, and why is it important for solid tumors?
Angiogenesis is the development of new blood vessels to supply oxygen and nutrients to cells. It is essential for solid tumors to grow and thrive.
What is the difference between a benign tumor and a malignant tumor?
A benign tumor is an abnormal proliferation of normal cells, while a malignant tumor is an abnormal proliferation of abnormal cells and is cancerous.
What is metastasis, and how does it relate to cancer?
Metastasis is the spreading of a tumor into other areas of the body. It is a hallmark of cancer and can lead to poor patient prognosis.
What is the role of tumor suppressor genes in preventing tumors?
Tumor suppressor genes provide growth inhibitory signals to prevent uncontrolled cell growth. When these genes are mutated or malfunction, they can remove these inhibitory signals, leading to tumors.
What is the meaning of the term 'neo' in the context of tumor formation?
New
What is the function of a tumor suppressor gene?
It encodes a protein involved in protecting cells from unregulated growth.
What is the difference between a primary tumor and a secondary tumor?
A primary tumor is the original tumor, while a secondary tumor is a metastatic tumor that has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
What is the term for the process by which malignant cells travel through the body and cause new foci of malignancy?
Metastasis
What is the term for the abnormal growth that is not yet considered cancerous but can potentially develop into cancer?
Dysplasia
What is the term for the formation of tumors?
Tumorigenesis
What is the main difference between benign and malignant tumors?
Benign tumors are not harmful and will not spread or invade, while malignant tumors are harmful and can invade and disrupt normal body function.
What is the term for the phase during which neoplastic cells have formed but are confined to the tissue of origin?
In situ phase
Study Notes
Tumor
- Abnormal growth or proliferation of cells, not always cancerous
- Can be benign (abnormal proliferation of normal cells) or malignant (abnormal proliferation of abnormal cells)
Tumor Immunology
- Study of tumor-associated antigens, immune response to tumors, tumor's effect on host's immune status, and using immune system to eradicate tumor
Normal Cell Growth and Division
- Regulated processes to produce new cells when necessary, inhibit cell division when sufficient, and limit cell lifespan
- Apoptosis: programmed cell death
Cancer
- Uncontrolled growth of cells that forms a solid mass or tumor (neoplasm) and spreads to other areas of the body
- Metastasis: spreading of tumor to other areas of the body
- Diapedesis: phagocytes moving across blood vessels
Protooncogenes
- Regulatory genes that promote cell division and can cause inhibited cell division if altered or mutated into oncogenes
- Oncogene: codes protein that promotes uncontrolled growth, causes tumor
Tumors
- Composed of cells with accelerated or dysregulated growth, resembling normal cells from which they arose
- Uncontrolled cell growth
Angiogenesis
- Development of new blood vessels to supply oxygen and nutrients to cells
- Solid tumor needs nutrients
Apoptosis
- Programmed cell death, hallmark of cancer cells
- Destroyed by cancer cells
- Cancer drug treatments inhibit apoptosis
Neoplasm
- Uncontrolled tissue growth, "new formation"
- Neo: new, plasm: living tissue
Oncogene
- Encodes protein that promotes uncontrolled cell growth when mutated
Tumor Suppressor Gene
- Encodes protein involved in protecting cells from unregulated growth
- Counter oncogene by removing growth inhibitory signals
Metastasis
- Malignant cells travel through the body, causing new foci of malignancy until body function is disrupted
- Primary tumor: original tumor, secondary tumor: spread to other parts of the body
- Invasive tumor: tumor cells invade blood vessels, allowing metastasis to occur
Induction Phase
- Cells exposed to environmental insults, 1st phase
- Environmental insults: chemical carcinogens, radiations, viruses
Tumorigenesis
- Formation of tumors
Liver Function Alterations During Disease
- Tumors can be classified as benign or malignant
- Benign: not harmful, will not spread or invade (e.g., hepatocellular adenoma and hemangioma)
- Malignant: invades and disrupts normal body function, will metastasize (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma, bile duct carcinoma, hepatoblastoma)
Tumor Progression
- During induction phase, takes months to years
- Dysplasia: abnormal growth that is not yet considered, reversible
- Neoplasia: consistent with a tumor, irreversible, uncontrolled tissue growth
Learn about the abnormal growth and proliferation of cells, including benign and malignant tumors, and the study of tumor immunology and its effects on the immune system.
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