Quiz Mode

• Oncogene
  • A mutated gene that promotes the development of a neoplasm in one of several ways (e.g. promoting growth factor independence, inhibiting apoptosis, stimulating proliferation, etc).
• Apoptosis
  • "Programmed-cell death" which is disrupted through genetic mutation in neoplasms promoting unrestrained cellular division (immortalization).
• Neoplasm
  • A mass resulting from the autonomous growth of a monoclonal population of cells as a consequence of genetic mutation.
• Tumor
  • A synonym for neoplasm. Historically it has referred to any swelling (e.g. from inflammation).
• Benign
  • A neoplasm that doesn't metastasize and generally doesn't kill the patient.
• Malignant
  • A tumor which is locally invasive and/or capable of metastasizing, giving it the capacity to kill the patient.
• Dysplasia
  • A premalignant changes resulting from genetic mutations that are a precursor to the development of malignancy (although not all dysplasia progress).
• In situ carcinoma
  • Often also referred to as 'high grade dysplasia' this is a pre-invasive form of cancer in epithelium that has not (yet) developed the ability to erode through the basement membrane surrounding the structure (epithelial surface, duct) in which it develops.
• Adenoma
  • A benign epithelial neoplasm (e.g. colonic adenoma, pituitary adenoma, renal tubular adenoma, adrenal adenoma) which may or may not have the capacity to develop into a malignant tumor.
• Invasion
  • A hallmark of malignancy, in which tumor cells have the ability to erode through basement membranes, stroma, normal parenchyma, or visceral membranes.
• Desmoplasia
  • The reactive host-derived fibroblastic stroma that surrounds an invasive tumor. Originally thought to be merely a reaction to tumor invasion, desmoplastic stroma is now known to be an important stimulatory component of many tumors (despite the fact that it, itself is non-malignant).
• Angiogenesis
  • The ability of a tumor to induce the development of a blood-supplying neovasculature into the tumor. Although seen in benign tumors, it is a requirement for the development of malignant tumors.
• Anaplasia
  • Exaggerated pleomorphism with the markedly disturbed growth of tumor cells in disorganized masses.
• Pleomorphism
  • Variation in the size and shape of cells and nuclei.