NMNC 4410 FINAL CANCER OVERVIEW QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
Proliferation - Answers -Reproduction of new cells through cell growth and cell division
Mitosis - Answers -Two daughter cells are produced from parent cell: growth and
maintenance of normal tissues
Meiosis - Answers -Daughter cells that are purposely distinct from one another and
from original parent cell: utilized for sexual reproduction
Differentiation - Answers -Acquisition of a specific cell function wherein a less
specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type
Neoplasia - Answers -Abnormal and progressive multiplication of cells, leading to the
formation of neoplasm (tumor)
Neoplasm - Answers -new, abnormal tissue growth that is uncontrolled and
progressive- benign or malignant (cancerous)
Protooncogenes - Answers -Normal cell genes that are important regulators of normal
cell process
In the presence of_________ protooncogenes or certain viruses are subject to genetic
alterations or mutations - Answers -Carcinogens
Mutated or altered protooncogenes yield - Answers -Oncogenes
Oncogenes - Answers -tumor inducing genes
Tumor Supressor Genes - Answers -Function to regulate cell growth. Mutations may
inactivate the tumor-suppressing ability of these genes which increase risk of cancer
Examples of genes directly linked to causing cancer - Answers -BRCA1, BRCA2-
breast cancer, APC gene-colorectal cancer
Dysplasia - Answers -The presence of cells of an abnormal type within a tissue
Contact inhibition - Answers -Normal cells respect the boundaries of the cells
surrounding them. They will not invade a boundary of another cell
Explain how some neoplasms form - Answers -May occur when a go signal is
produced, but shouldn't be, or a stop signal is ignored by surrounding cells
, Apoptosis - Answers -programmed cell death
Cellular mutations that can lead to neoplasia occur when - Answers -when mistakes
(e.g. incorrect genetic expression) are undetected or uncorrected
Benign Neoplasm - Answers -has the ability to replicate, but doesn't metastasize; can
mechanically obstruct/press down on other body structures causing pain, dysfunction,
or death
malignant neoplasms (cancer) - Answers -Abnormal growth patterns, multiple abnormal
functions, and the ability to metastasize
Malignant Neoplastic Cells come from - Answers -Previously normal cells, due to un-
repaired errors in multiple cancer causing genes
Cancer - Answers -Group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled/unregulated
growth of cells
Ability of cancer cells - Answers -Cancer cells can recruit associated normal cells to
serve as contributors to support their proliferation, invasion, and metastasis
What happens when a cell is damaged (initiation) - Answers -A damaged cell (mutated
cell) will usually die or repair itself. If this doesn't happen, the cell will replicate into
daughter cells containing the same genetic information. Usually this isn't enough to
cause cancer
Promotion - Answers -An increase in the altered cell population further increases the
likelihood of cancer. This stage is characterized by reversible proliferation of altered
cells
What makes the promotion stage reversible - Answers -This is the distinction between
initiation and promotion. The activity of the promoters is reversible, examples: smoking,
obesity
Complete Carcinogen - Answers -Capable of initiating and promoting the development
of cancer (cigarette smoke)
Latent Period - Answers -For disease to be clinically evident the tumor much reach a
critical mass that can be detected by imagining or palpation, typically 1-4 years
tumor angiogenesis - Answers -Tumor develops own blood supply
Sentinel Lymph Node - Answers -First node confronted as tumor cells spread
throughout the lymphatic system. Biopsy of this lymph node can help determine extent
of cancer without needing to remove other lymph nodes
ANSWERS
Proliferation - Answers -Reproduction of new cells through cell growth and cell division
Mitosis - Answers -Two daughter cells are produced from parent cell: growth and
maintenance of normal tissues
Meiosis - Answers -Daughter cells that are purposely distinct from one another and
from original parent cell: utilized for sexual reproduction
Differentiation - Answers -Acquisition of a specific cell function wherein a less
specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type
Neoplasia - Answers -Abnormal and progressive multiplication of cells, leading to the
formation of neoplasm (tumor)
Neoplasm - Answers -new, abnormal tissue growth that is uncontrolled and
progressive- benign or malignant (cancerous)
Protooncogenes - Answers -Normal cell genes that are important regulators of normal
cell process
In the presence of_________ protooncogenes or certain viruses are subject to genetic
alterations or mutations - Answers -Carcinogens
Mutated or altered protooncogenes yield - Answers -Oncogenes
Oncogenes - Answers -tumor inducing genes
Tumor Supressor Genes - Answers -Function to regulate cell growth. Mutations may
inactivate the tumor-suppressing ability of these genes which increase risk of cancer
Examples of genes directly linked to causing cancer - Answers -BRCA1, BRCA2-
breast cancer, APC gene-colorectal cancer
Dysplasia - Answers -The presence of cells of an abnormal type within a tissue
Contact inhibition - Answers -Normal cells respect the boundaries of the cells
surrounding them. They will not invade a boundary of another cell
Explain how some neoplasms form - Answers -May occur when a go signal is
produced, but shouldn't be, or a stop signal is ignored by surrounding cells
, Apoptosis - Answers -programmed cell death
Cellular mutations that can lead to neoplasia occur when - Answers -when mistakes
(e.g. incorrect genetic expression) are undetected or uncorrected
Benign Neoplasm - Answers -has the ability to replicate, but doesn't metastasize; can
mechanically obstruct/press down on other body structures causing pain, dysfunction,
or death
malignant neoplasms (cancer) - Answers -Abnormal growth patterns, multiple abnormal
functions, and the ability to metastasize
Malignant Neoplastic Cells come from - Answers -Previously normal cells, due to un-
repaired errors in multiple cancer causing genes
Cancer - Answers -Group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled/unregulated
growth of cells
Ability of cancer cells - Answers -Cancer cells can recruit associated normal cells to
serve as contributors to support their proliferation, invasion, and metastasis
What happens when a cell is damaged (initiation) - Answers -A damaged cell (mutated
cell) will usually die or repair itself. If this doesn't happen, the cell will replicate into
daughter cells containing the same genetic information. Usually this isn't enough to
cause cancer
Promotion - Answers -An increase in the altered cell population further increases the
likelihood of cancer. This stage is characterized by reversible proliferation of altered
cells
What makes the promotion stage reversible - Answers -This is the distinction between
initiation and promotion. The activity of the promoters is reversible, examples: smoking,
obesity
Complete Carcinogen - Answers -Capable of initiating and promoting the development
of cancer (cigarette smoke)
Latent Period - Answers -For disease to be clinically evident the tumor much reach a
critical mass that can be detected by imagining or palpation, typically 1-4 years
tumor angiogenesis - Answers -Tumor develops own blood supply
Sentinel Lymph Node - Answers -First node confronted as tumor cells spread
throughout the lymphatic system. Biopsy of this lymph node can help determine extent
of cancer without needing to remove other lymph nodes
