Drexel Nursing 221 Exam 1
Neoplasia - ANS-"New Growth" It implies an abnormality of cellular growth. Synonymous with
"tumor".
Anemia - ANS-A deficiency in circulating red blood cells. Tumors
Thrombocytopenia - ANS-A deficiency in the number of circulating platelets. Decrease is
aggregation and clotting of blood. Epistaxis, metorrhagia hematuria, and petechiae often occur.
Increased risk of intracranial hemorrhaging.
Leukopenia - ANS-A decrease in the number of circulating white blood cells. This causes an
increased risk of infection and is the most common cause of death in immunocomprimised
patients. Causes weight loss, anorexia, lymphoadenophy, and CNS dysfunction.
-penia - ANS-Lack of; Deficiency; Decrease.
What are the effects of cancer on the body? - ANS-1) Pain - the break down of cells release
inflammatory mediators which cause pain.
2) Cachexia - overall loss of weight and general weakness.
3) Immunosuppression - cancer cells secrete immunosuppressents which reduce T and B cell
populations.
4) Bonemarrow Suppression - contributes to leucopenia, throbocytopenia and anemia due to
destruction of blood forming cells, malnutrition and chemotherapy.
5) Paraneoplastic Syndrome - symptoms that can't be explained by obvious tumor properties
(Ex. FUO)
6) Hair loss and sloughing of mucosal membranes due to radiation or chemotherapy.
Cachexia - ANS-Overall loss of weight and general weakness.
Paraneoplastic Syndrome - ANS-Symptoms that can't be explained by obvious tumor
properties. Ex. Tumors produce/secrete hormones or generate fevers of unknown origins
(FUO).
Staging of Tumors - ANS-Location and pattern of spread of a tumor within the host. Tumor size,
extent of local growth, lymph node and organ involvement, and presence of distance of
metastases.
Grading of Tumors - ANS-The histological characterization of tumor cells and the degree of
anaplasia. The greater degree of anaplasia (lack of differentiation) the more malignant the
tumor.
,Anaplasia - ANS-A lack of differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. A change in the structure of
cells and in their orientation to each other indicated by variation in cell size and shape within a
tumor.
What are the three main methods of metastasis? - ANS-1) Through the blood.
2) Through the lymphatic system.
3) Site specific metastisis - chemotactic signals allow tumor cells to lock onto specific
endothelial cells.
Site Specific Metastisis - ANS-Tumor cells follow chemotactic signals that all them to lock onto
and bind to specific endothelial cells.
How does the host defend against metastasis? - ANS-Host immune cells bind to receptors on
tumor cells and undergo chemical change which kills the tumor cells. Only 1/10,000 tumor cells
make it to the blood stream and survive the host's defenses. Some tumor cells can retract their
receptors or coat themselves in platelets to dodge the host's immune cells.
How do tumor cells invade and metastasize? - ANS-Malignant tumor cells secrete digestive
enzymes to facilitate their invasive growth into neighboring tissues or into blood vessels or
lymphatic vessels. Tumors can't grow more than 2mm unless they grow blood vessels into the
tumor to provide oxygen and nutrients.
What are the most common cancers that effect men? - ANS-1) Prostate 25%
2) Lung and Bronchial 15%
3) Colon and Rectum 10%
What are the most common cancers that effect women? - ANS-1) Breast 26%
2) Lung and Bronchial 14%
3) Colon and Rectum 10%
How many different cancers are attributable to smoking? - ANS-Lung; Oropharynx; Larynx;
Esophagus; Stomach; Pancreas; Bladder; Kidney; Myeloid leukemia.
Benign Tumor - ANS-Benign growth is generally easily cured. Tumor cells are cells that are
typical of the tissue of origin ( meaning they look similar to normal healthy cells). Typically do not
metastasize. Benign tumors can still be a cause for concern depending on the location of the
tumor.
Malignant Tumor - ANS-A severe tumor that becomes progressively worse. They are anaplastic,
meaning that they have lack of differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. Invasive and infiltrative.
High chance of metastasizing.
Metastasis - ANS-Cancer cells that invade other parts of the body through the blood, the
lymphatic system or site specific metastasis.
What are the characteristics of benign tumors? - ANS-Histology - Typical of tissue origin; few
mitoses.
Growth Rate - Slow
Localization/Metastasis - Strictly local, often encapsulated/no metastasis due to slow growth.
Tumor Necrosis - Rare
Recurrence after treatment - Rare
Prognosis - Good unless in a critical area.
What are the characteristics of malignant tumors? - ANS-Histology - Anaplastic, with abnormal
cell size and shape. Many mitoses.
Growth Rate - Rapid
Localization/Metastasis - Infiltrative and frequent.
Tumor Necrosis - Common
Recurrence after treatment - Common
Prognosis - Poor if untreated.
Necrosis - ANS-Tissue and cell death.
Angiogenesis - ANS-The formation of new blood vessels (from preexisting blood vessels).
Malignant tumors secrete angiogenic properties into surrounding tissue to generate blood
vessel growth toward the tumor to supply oxygen and nutrients.
Nomenclature of Benign Cancers - ANS-Benign cells typically end with -oma.
Nomenclature of Malignant Cancers - ANS-Typically end with -sarcoma or -carcinoma. Some
important exceptions are: Neuroblastoma (most malignant), myoloma, retinoblastoma,
melanoma, lymphoma, and Papitoma/Heptioma.
-sarcoma - ANS-Malignant tumor of connective tissue.
-carcinoma - ANS-Malignant tumor of epithelial origin.
Carcinogen - ANS-A substance that causes cancer.
Oncogenesis - ANS-AKA Carcinogenesis. Formation of a cancerous tumor.
Carcinogenesis - ANS-AKA Oncogenesis. Formation or production of cancerous tumor.
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