Cell Biology and Cancer

Biomedical Technology

Causes and development of cancer Many different agents

Doesn’t happen all at once Multi-step process

Causes and Development of Cancer

Breakdown of process that regulate the growth of normal cells and tissues Uncontrolled division of body cells Cell division is normally precisely regulated Cell cycle regulation is accomplished by genes

Causes and Development of Cancer

Cancer-causing agents damage genes Leads to increase in the division attempts –

cell divides more than it normally would Cancer results from genetic damage to

cells across time

Causes and Development Research leads to understanding of normal

cells New strategies for treatment

Cancer stages Mutation Hyperplasia Dysplasia In situ (tumor) Invasive Cancer (malignant)

Stages of Cancer Mutation-change in the way cells function

or develop, caused by an inherited genetic defect or an environmental exposure. May lead to cancer.

Stages of Cancer Cont: Hyperplasia- Precancerous condition in

which there is an increase in the number of normal cells lining an organ

Stages of Cancer Cont: Dysplasia – Abnormal cells that ARE NOT

cancer (not cancer yet)

Stages of Cancer cont: In Situ (tumor)- Cancer that has remained

within the tissue in which it originated

Stages of Cancer Cont: Invasive Cancer (malignant) – Cancer that

has spread beyond the layer of tissue in which it developed.

Advanced Renal Carcinoma

This is a kidney with cancer. The yellowish balls are different tumors.

Bladder CancerThis is bladder cancer. Seen using a cystoscope. See the cauliflower appearance of the tumor?

Liver MetastasesThis person had cancer somewhere else in their body and it metastasized into their liver. Notice all of the yellowish tumors within the liver.

Metastatic Lung CancerThis person had lung cancer that spread to other organs in their body.Notice the balls of tumor within the lung? Can you see where the trachea is?

Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer. This tumor is still in situ.What does that mean?

Colon cancer

Tumor inside the large intestine.Notice the growth on the right-hand side of the screen.This is seen during a colonoscopy.

Now Draw This!