EH 205 FALL 2009

Cancer review session

Carlos O. Mendivil-Anaya, MD

Neoplasia

Tumor

Cancer, carcinoma

Sarcoma

Lymphoma

Leukemia

New growth: Includes benign disease

Swelling: Includes benign disease

Malignancy of epithelial origin

Malignancy of mesothelial origin

Malignancy of lymphoid organs

Malignancy of blood cells (usually WBC)

Jargon

Lethality

Cancers with potential for screening

Breast

Cervical

Prostate

Colorectal

Mammography

Cervical smear cytology (Pap smear)

Serum PSA

Flexible sigmoidoscopyFecal occult blood test

Stages of cancer

Stages of cancer

The cell cycle

Genetic origin of cancer

(proto)Oncogenes Tumor suppressor

genes

Chemotherapy agents target the cell cycle

Genetic Predisposition (familiar mutations)

Chemical Carcinogenesis

Excessive hormonal stimulus

Ionizing Radiation

Light (Ultraviolet Radiation)

Repeated localized trauma

Tumor Viruses (Oncogenic viruses)

- HIV/Epstein-Barr virus

- Human Papilloma Virus

- Hepatitis B Virus

Etiology of cancer

Carcinogenic mechanism of retroviruses

The key role of angiogenesis

Some cancers are hormone-sensitive

And some others are driven by environmental factors

Metastases prefer some organs

Chemotherapy can be highly toxic