NURS 6501 – Week 5 Study Guide

NURS 6501 – Week 5 Study Guide
Genetic Basis of Cancer & Tumor Biology

Walden University – Advanced Pathophysiology
High-Yield Notes + 10 NCLEX-Style Questions




Cancer Pathophysiology Overview

1. Cancer Terminology

Term Meaning

Neoplasm New, abnormal tissue growth (tumor)

Benign Non-invasive, localized

Malignant Invasive, spreads (metastasizes)

Carcinoma in situ Early stage, localized epithelial tumor

Metastasis Spread of cancer to distant organs



2. Hallmarks of Cancer

1. Sustained proliferative signaling

2. Evading growth suppressors

3. Resisting cell death (apoptosis)

4. Enabling replicative immortality

5. Inducing angiogenesis (blood vessel growth)

6. Activating invasion & metastasis



3. Oncogenes vs. Tumor Suppressor Genes

Gene Type Function Cancer Link

Promote cell
Oncogenes Overactive = cancer (e.g., HER2)
growth/proliferation

Tumor Inactive/mutated = cancer (e.g., BRCA1/2,
Inhibit growth, repair DNA
suppressors p53)