Cancer 2 - Pathology, Defining a Neoplasm & Features of Selected Cancers

• To distinguish between benign and malignant cells • To determine cellular origin of cancer, NB for tx -> e.g: in lung cancer smoking causes epithelium cancers • To monitor completeness of surgery -> microscopic analysis of an excised lump can tell whether cancer cells occur at the edges and therefore detect efficiency of the removal

• Histopathology • Cytology • Immunohistochemistry • Molecular techniques

• The appearance of cells macroscopically (gross examination) • The microscopic appearance of the tissue architecture

• Normal colon cells have regular size and shape nuclei • Cancer: nuclei have heterogeneous size and shape • Mitotic/proliferating cells evident in the cancer, but not in normal cells

Malignant invasive cancerous cells. Malignant lesions damage surroundings.

Surrounding lymph nodes

Loses the benefit of tissue architecture

Less invasive procedure

Screening cervical smears for early signs of cervical cancer

Enables pathologist to determine exact type/subtype of cancer by looking for unique tomour markers within cancer cells

Using antibodies that locate and bind with antigens (markers found on cells)

• Where cancer started • Type of cell it started in • Whether its going to spread slowly or quickly

90%

• Age at first pregnancy -> younger than 30 at first pregnancy, less risk • Late menopause • Family hx • Diet

• Lymph nodes • Bone

• BRCA1 and BRCA2 are breast cancer suppressor genes. • Mutations can lead to an increase risk of breast cancer • These mutations are inherited

• Breast cancer screening regimes • Improvements in tx

64%

• Family hx • Inflammatory bowel disease • Diet

• Locally • Liver • Lymph nodes

• P53 repressor gene is mutated • Without functioning P53, cell proliferation is not regulated effectively

Colon cancer screening

• 13% • Lung cancer has a poor response to chemo

• Smoking • Asbestos • Radon gas