Exam 2:
1. Blood tests for tumor markers are the single best screening tool for cancer.
Why or why not?
1. False, they are elevated in benign conditions, most are not elevated
in the early stages of malignancy.
b. What is the most important procedure in diagnosing the correct cancer and
histology?
1. Tissue Biopsy
b. List two signs or symptoms a patient may present with that might
indicate a cancer diagnosis:
1. Bleeding; sore that doesn’t heal; fluid in the pleural, pericardial, or
peritoneal spaces; chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, abdominal
discomfort or swelling. Other possible answers can include a mass or
lump, pain (need to be specific), fatigue, fevers, weight loss
2. What are two systemic manifestations of cancer exhibited by
cancer patients? Weight loss, wasting of body fat and muscle tissue,
weakness, anorexia, and anemia, fatigue, sleep disturbances
, b. Explain the TNM system:
1. T is the size and local spread of the
primary tumor.
2. N is the involvement of the regional
lymph nodes.
3. M is the extent of the metastatic involvement.
b. 1. What are the three possible goals of cancer treatment?
1. Curative, control, palliative
2.How does radiation kill cancer
cells?
a. Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles or waves to destroy or
damage cancer cells. This leads to the creation of free radicals, which
damage cell structures. Radiation can interrupt the cell cycle process, kill
cells, or damage DNA in the cells.
6. Cell proliferation is the process in which proliferating cells become more
specialized cell types.
a. False, cell differentiation
6. Cell differentiation is the process of increasing cell numbers by mitotic cell
division. False, cell proliferation
6. What are two important properties that stem cells possess? Potency and self-
renewal
6. These are cells of the same lineage that have not yet differentiated to the
extent that they have lost their ability to divide: progenitor or parent cells
6. Define polyp. Are they benign or malignant?
a. A polyp is a growth that projects from a mucosal surface, such as the
intestine. A polyp can be benign or malignant
6. How do cancer cells achieve immortality?
a. Cancer cells keep high levels of telomerase, an enzyme that
prevents telomere shortening. This gives the ability of the
chromosomes to continue to replicate forever.
6. What is a tumor suppressor gene? Give one example.
a. Tumor suppressor genes are associated with gene underactivity.
These genes slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or tell cells
when to die. BRCA1 or 2, TP53
1. Blood tests for tumor markers are the single best screening tool for cancer.
Why or why not?
1. False, they are elevated in benign conditions, most are not elevated
in the early stages of malignancy.
b. What is the most important procedure in diagnosing the correct cancer and
histology?
1. Tissue Biopsy
b. List two signs or symptoms a patient may present with that might
indicate a cancer diagnosis:
1. Bleeding; sore that doesn’t heal; fluid in the pleural, pericardial, or
peritoneal spaces; chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, abdominal
discomfort or swelling. Other possible answers can include a mass or
lump, pain (need to be specific), fatigue, fevers, weight loss
2. What are two systemic manifestations of cancer exhibited by
cancer patients? Weight loss, wasting of body fat and muscle tissue,
weakness, anorexia, and anemia, fatigue, sleep disturbances
, b. Explain the TNM system:
1. T is the size and local spread of the
primary tumor.
2. N is the involvement of the regional
lymph nodes.
3. M is the extent of the metastatic involvement.
b. 1. What are the three possible goals of cancer treatment?
1. Curative, control, palliative
2.How does radiation kill cancer
cells?
a. Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles or waves to destroy or
damage cancer cells. This leads to the creation of free radicals, which
damage cell structures. Radiation can interrupt the cell cycle process, kill
cells, or damage DNA in the cells.
6. Cell proliferation is the process in which proliferating cells become more
specialized cell types.
a. False, cell differentiation
6. Cell differentiation is the process of increasing cell numbers by mitotic cell
division. False, cell proliferation
6. What are two important properties that stem cells possess? Potency and self-
renewal
6. These are cells of the same lineage that have not yet differentiated to the
extent that they have lost their ability to divide: progenitor or parent cells
6. Define polyp. Are they benign or malignant?
a. A polyp is a growth that projects from a mucosal surface, such as the
intestine. A polyp can be benign or malignant
6. How do cancer cells achieve immortality?
a. Cancer cells keep high levels of telomerase, an enzyme that
prevents telomere shortening. This gives the ability of the
chromosomes to continue to replicate forever.
6. What is a tumor suppressor gene? Give one example.
a. Tumor suppressor genes are associated with gene underactivity.
These genes slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or tell cells
when to die. BRCA1 or 2, TP53
