Chapter 6- Cancer
TNM System
-T-tumor, the size and invasion onto surrounding tissue -N-extent of lymph node metastasis -M-wheather distant metastasis has occurred
colon cancer
-cancer that is cured in 50% of patients by surgical removal
initiation
-cells must undergo this alteration to acquire autonomous growth potential -stimulated by carcinogens which may be physical, chemical or biologic agents
progression
-follows promotion -acquisition of additional DNA mutations
local manifestations
-relate to symptoms at the cancer site -ex. pain
systemic manifestations
-relate to symptoms not limited to the cancer site -ex. anemia
tumor suppressor genes
-supposed to be kept in check by oncogenes -there can be mutations that prevent them from functioning properly
promotion
-the step after initiation and is the selective growth of the initiated cells
lung cancer
-treatment is relatively ineffective-a 13% 5 year survival rate
chemotherapy
-treatment using chemicals by cytotoxic and other drugs
radiation therapy
-treatment using x-ray or similar forms of radiation
oncogenes
-turned on by initiator -leads to proliferation of the cell through growth enhancing products
-oncogenes -tumor suppressor genes -other target genes -initiating agents
Prevention and cure of cancer can be a complex task that depends on the discovery of?
-type of cancer -extent of spread at the time of discovery -efficacy of existing therapy
The prognosis of cancer depends on several items?
-surgical removal -radiation therapy -chemotherapy
What are 3 cancer treatments?
basal and squamous skin cell carinomas
What are the most common cancers are?
-biopsy -blood smear -cytology -radiologic exam -endoscopic exam
What tests can help make a diagnosis for cancer?