Biology Chapter 18: Cancer – Uncontrolled Cell Division and Differentiation – Flashcards
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100 types, all cancers are diseases of cells division and differentiation
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introduction
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have regulatory mechanisms that maintain an appropriate rate of cell division, internal "clock", hormones, inhibitory signals from nearby cells, remain in one location throughout their lifespan
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normal cells
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substantial increase in the rate of cell divisions
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hyperplasia
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also known as neoplasm, a discrete mass of cells resulting from hyperplasia
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tumor
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noncancerous, remain in one location, single, well defined mass, may be surrounded by connective tissue, often can be readily removed surgically
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benign tumors
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presence of cells of an abnormal type within a tissue; cells exhibit abnormal change in cell structure, considered a precancerous state
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dysplasia
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when its cells completely lose their organization, structure, and regulatory control
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when is a tumor defined as cancer?
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when a tumor remains in one place it's referred to as carcinoma in situ
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in situ cancer
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tumor invades normal tissue and compromises organ function, tumor may undergo metastasis, spread of cancer to another organ or body region, secondary, malignant tumors at other locations may develop
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malignant tumor
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2 things must happen: 1. cell must divide uncontrollably ignoring inhibitory signals, with an unlimited lifespan 2. cells must undergo physical changes that allow them to break away from surrounding cells These changes usually are from cell gene mutations from carcinogens
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cancer development
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normal regulatory genes that control normal cell growth, differentiation, cell division and/or adhesion
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proto-oncogenes
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mutated or damaged proto-oncogenes, may cause cells to grow and divide more quickly than normal, may result in a cell failing to respond to inhibitory signals
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oncogenes
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also known as gate keeper genes, regulatory genes that repress cell growth and division, and favor differentiation and adhesion, may be turned off, damaged, or mutated in cancers (ex: p53 gene mutations in cervical, colon, lung, skin, bladder, and breast tumors)
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tumor suppressor genes
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also know as care taker genes, involved in DNA repair during replication, may be mutated themselves and not function (BRCA-1 and BRCA-2)
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mutator genes
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cancer develops only when multiple oncogenes are present and tumor suppressor genes are lost
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multigene basis of cancer
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single most important factor in development of cancer, the longer we live, the more likely we are to be diagnosed for cancer
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age
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some genes may be inherited that increase susceptibility to cancer
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genetic predisposition
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process of transforming a normal cell into a cancer cell
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carcinogenesis
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any substance or physical factor that causes cancer
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carcinogen
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causes cervical cancer
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human papillomavirus (HPV)
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liver cancer
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hep B and C viruses
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kaposi's sarcoma
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human herpes virus (HHV-8) and HIV
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hodgkin's disease
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epstein-barr virus
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stomach cancer
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heliobacter pylori
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asbestos, benzene, some pesticides, dyes
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chemical carcinogenesis
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responsible for 30% of all cancer deaths
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tobacco (chemical carcinogen)
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ultraviolet radiation (sun exposure) causes skin cancer, causes more than 80% of all skin cancers
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radiation carcinogenesis
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involved with approx. 30% of cancers, red meat, alc, salt, aflatoxin present in raw peanut butter, type II diabetics have a much higher risk of dying of cancer
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diet and obesity
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increased risk of cancer of colon, rectum, prostate
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red meat, saturated animal fat
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increased risk of breast, rectal, colon and liver cancer
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alcohol
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associated with stomach cancer
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salt consumption
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free radicals produced by metabolism may damage DNA, antioxidants (vitamins A,C, and E) may neutralize free radicals, antioxidant containing foods: blueberries, spinach, tomatoes
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internal factors that cause cancer
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immune system normal defends body against cancers, may not be recognized as "self" and could be destroyed, anything that suppresses the immune system may make an individual more susceptible to cancer
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immune system and cancer
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x-rays, PET, and MRI, computed axial tomography (CAT) ex: mammogram
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tumor imaging
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uses sound waves to form an image
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sonography
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3D image of metabolic activity
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PET (positron emission tomography) scan
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bursts of magnetic fields to produce images
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MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
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identify mutated genes such as BRCA-1 and 2, privacy and treatment issues
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genetic testing
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looking for cancer markers, prostate specific antigen (PSA) is elevated in prostate cancer, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is elevated in colon cancer, alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is elevated in liver, testicular, and ovarian cancers
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enzyme tests
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surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, often a combo of two or more of these treatments is used
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conventional cancer treatmenst
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has improved with better imaging techniques
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surgery
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targets the tumor but sometimes damages healthy cells
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radiation
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use of cytotoxic drugs to destroy cancer cells, side effects: nausea, hair loss, anemia, often kills normal cells as well, especially ones that are fast growing
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chemotherapy
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magnet is placed at the tumor, tiny magnetic beads coated with chemotherapy drugs are injected and pulled to the tumor
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magnetism
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uses light-sensitive drugs that are taken up by cancer cells and laster, which activate the toxicity of the drug
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photodynamic therapy
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promotes immune response, development of antibodies that specifically recognize cancer cells, tagging antibodies with radioactive molecules or chemotherapeutic drugs, vaccines (ex: gardasil), antibodies to prevent immune cell shut down (anti CTLA-4)
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immunotherapy
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starving cancer cells essentially, anti-angiogenic drugs prevent or stop the development of blood vessels into the tumor, so the cells "starve" to death
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inhibiting angiogenesis
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target oncogenes or their protein products, restore or repair expression of tumor suppressor genes
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molecular treatments
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lung cancer, cancer of colon and rectum, breast cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, urinary bladder cancer, kidney cancer, skin cancer, cancer of the uterus
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10 deadliest cancers
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smoking is the #2 cancer in incidence in both men and women but is the #1 cancer killer of both men and women, early symptoms are nonspecific, persistent coughing, bronchitis, recurrent pneumonia, voice change, treated by surgery often combined with radiation and chemo.
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lung cancer
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#3 cancer in incidence in men and women, tests can detect them early, blood in stool, rectal bleeding, risk factors: sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, fam history, low-fiber diet, a diet high in red meat and saturated fats, starts as polyps which gradually become malignant, treated by polyp removal, surgical removal and chemo
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cancer of colon and rectum
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examining interior of colon with flexible fiber-optic scope
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colonoscopy
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#1 cancer in women, early detection is crucial for survival, mammogram uses a low dose x-ray for detection, detection of a lump on self breast exam or physician breast exam, risk factors include genetics (BRCA-1 and 2), age, early onset of menstruation and late menopause, obesity after menopause, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement after menopause
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breast cancer
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#1 cancer in incidence in men, most common after age of 50, biggest risk factor is advancing age, symptoms include urination difficulties, blood in urine, pain in pelvic area, diagnosed by digital rectal exam, blood test for PSA, biopsy, treated by surgery, radiation therapy, and hormones
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prostate cancer
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cancer of immature white blood cells in bone marrow, risk factors include down syndrome, exposure to ionizing radiation, benzene, infection with HTLV-1 virus, childhood and adult forms, nonspecific symptoms, diagnosed by blood tests and bone marrow biopsies, treated with extensive chemotherapy or chemo and bone marrow transplant
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leukemia
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cancer of lymphoid tissues, hodgkins and non-hodgkins lymphoma, symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, intermittent fever, itching, weight loss, night sweats, risk factors include altered immune functions, transplant recipients, HIV, occupational exposure to herbicides, treated by radiation, chemo, bone marrow transplant
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lymphoma
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surgery is often successful if done early, symptoms include blood in the urine, risk factors include smoking, urban living, exposure to arsenic in water supply, occupational exposure to leather, dye, rubber, diagnosis by microscopic exam of urine for cancer cells and cystoscopy, treated by surgery with chemotherapy
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urinary bladder cancer
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direct exam of bladder wall with cystoscope (thin flexible tube with lens)
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cystoscopy
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usually detected during exam for renal-related disease, risk factors include genetics, smoking, exposure to certain toxic chemicals, age, gender (female), diagnosed by CT scan or ultrasound, treated by surgical removal of kidney
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kidney cancer
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look for changes in your skin, 3 major types, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma
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skin cancer
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involves basal cells in base layer of epithelium, rarely metastasizes but should be removed
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basal cell carcinoma
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involves epithelial cells, may metastasize slowly
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squamous cell carcinoma
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deadliest, but least common of skin cancers, cancer of the melanocytes, metastasizes quickly
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melanoma
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observe moles and skin lesions for A = asymmetry (2 halves of the affected area don't match) B = border (border is irregular in shape) C = color (varies or is black) D = diameter (greater than 6mm or size of a pea) E = evolving (any change in a mole)
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ABCDE of melanoma
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unusual uterine bleeding is major symptom, uterine and cervical cancer, treated by surgery, chemo, radiation, or hormones
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cancer of the uterus
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involves the endometrium, abnormal bleeding, risk factors include early period, late menopause, not having children, estrogen use after menopause
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uterine cancer
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caused by HPV, detected by pap test, prevented by gardasil or cervarix vaccines
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cervical cancer
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know family history, know body (self-exams), get regular medical screenings, avoid direct sunlight 10am to 4pm, sunlamps, and tanning salons, watch diet and weight, don't smoke, drink alc in moderation (if at all), stay informed
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prevention of cancer
