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THE CELL
Definition of Related Terms
Cell
- The basic unit of living organism; can reproduce itself
Cancer
– a disease process whereby cells proliferate abnormally, ignoring growth
regulating signals in the environment surrounding the cells.
Carcinoma
– a new growth or malignant tumor that originates from epithelial cells, the skin, GIT,
Lungs, Uterus, breast and other organs.
Benign
– usually a reference to growths that are encapsulated, remain localized, and are slow
growing
Malignant
- terms for growth that are encapsulated but metastasize and grow. These growths are cancerous lesions
having the characteristics of disorderly, uncontrolled proliferation of the cell
Tumor
- Abnormal swelling usually from inflammation, or from morbid enlargement.
- They are uncontrolled tissue growth that in which cell rapidly multiplies
Oncology
- The study of cancer
Staging
- a method of classifying malignancies based on the presence and extent of the tumor on
the body
Metastasis
- the transfer of disease from one organ or apart to another not directly connected to
it.
Undifferentiated cells – cells that lost the capacity for specialized functions
Carcinogenesis – process of transforming normal cells into malignant cells
Carcinogens - agents that initiate or promote cellular transformation.
Oncogene
that manufactures, processes and transports chemical compounds for use inside and outside of the cell.
- Main function is digestion. Breaks down cellular waste products and debris from outside the
cell into simple compounds, which are transferred to the cytoplasm as new cell-building
materials.
Mitochondria - are oblong shaped. The main power generators, converting oxygen and
nutrients into energy
Nucleus
- Serves as the information processing and administrative center of the
cell.
- Stores DNA
- Coordinates cell activities
o
Growth
o
Intermediary metabolism
o
Protein synthesis
o
Cell division is an elegant process that enables organisms to grow and reproduce. Through a sequence
of
steps, the replicated genetic material in a parent cell is equally distributed to two daughter cells. While
there are some subtle differences, mitosis is remarkably similar across organisms.
Before a dividing cell enters mitosis, it undergoes a period of growth called interphase. Interphase is
the
"holding" stage or the stage between two successive cell divisions.
In this stage, the cell replicates its genetic material and organelles in preparation for division.
Before a dividing cell enters mitosis, it undergoes a period of growth called interphase. Some 90
percent
of a cell's time in the normal cellular cycle may be spent in interphase.
Stages of Interphase
•
G1 phase: The period prior to the synthesis of DNA. In this phase, the cell increases in mass
in preparation for cell division. Note that the G in G1 represents gap and the 1 represents
first, so the G1 phase is the first gap phase.
••
G2 phase: The period after DNA synthesis has occurred but prior to the start of prophase. The
cell synthesizes proteins and continues to increase in size. Note that the G in G2 represents
gap and the 2 represents second, so the G2 phase is the second gap phase.
In the latter part of interphase, the cell still has nucleoli present.
•
The nucleus is bounded by a nuclear envelope and the cell's chromosomes have duplicated
but are in the form of chromatin.
•
In animal cells, two pair of centrioles formed from the replication of one pair are located
outside of the nucleus.
Pathogenesis of Cancer
a. Cellular Transformation & Derangement Theory
- Conceptualizes that normal cells may be transformed into cancer cells due to
exposure to some etiologic agents.
b. Failure of the Immune Response Theory
- Advocates that all individuals possess cancer cells. However, the cancer cells are recognized by the
immune response system. So, the cancer cell undergo destruction. Failure of the immune response
system leads to inability to destroy the cancer cells.
Dysplasia
o
Ca of the cervix
Hepatitis B virus
o
Liver Ca
Human T cell lymphotropic Virus
o
lymphocytic leukemia
o
lymphomas
HIVo
Kaposi’s Sarcoma
Helicobacter pylori (bacteria)
o
Gastric Malignancy
B. PHYSICAL AGENTS –
d. Tobacco use
C. CHEMICAL AGENTS –
- 75 % of all Ca are thought to be related to the environment
-Tobacco smoke – single most lethal chemical carcinogen 30% of Ca deaths
- Chemical substances found in workplace (amines, aniline dyes, pesticides and formaldehydes, arsenic, tars,
asbestos, benzene, Cadmiun, Nickel and Zinc ores, PVC’s etc.)
- Chemical agents alters DNA structure in body sites distant from chemicalexposure
(liver, lungs and kidneys are most commonly affected)
D. GENETIC & FAMILIAL FACTORS
- genetics, shared environments, cultural or lifestyle factors, chance.
E. DIETARY FACTORS
-Proactive (protective) substances – High fiber, cruciferous vegetables, carotenoids,,
Vit. E & C, Zinc and Selenium
-Cacinogenic & Co-Carcinogenic substances – High fat, Low Fiber, Alcohol, Salt-
cured or smoked meats, foods w/ nitrates & nitrites, High Caloric.
F. HORMONAL AGENTS
- Endogenous vs. Exogenous hormones
Geographic distribution
- Japan = cancer of the stomach
- US = cancer of the breast
- Due to influence of environmental factors such as, national diet, ethnic customs, type
of pollutions
Occupation - Chemical factory workers, farmers, radiology department person
Heredity
Precancerous lesions
- May undergo transformation into Ca lesions and tumors.
- E.g. pigmented moles, burn scars, senile keratosis, leoukoplakia, benign
polyps/adenoma of the colon or stomach, fibrocystic disease of the breast
Obesity
- Studies have linked obesity to breast and colorectal Ca
American Cancer Society 7 Warning Signs (CAUTION)
C-
Change in bowel or bladder HABITS
A-
A sore that does not heal
U-
Unusual bleeding or discharges
T-
Thickening or a lump in the breast or elsewhere
I–
Indigestion and difficulty of swallowing
O-
Obvious change in a wart or a mole
N-
Nagging cough or hoarseness of the voice
Cancer Classification
1. Solid Tumors – Associated with the organs from which they develop. Such as breast cancer or
lung cancer
2. Hematological Cancer – Originate from blood cell-forming tissues, such as theLeukemia sans
theLym p h oma s
Cell characteristics Well differentiated cells that Undifferentiated and often bear
little
- Due to influence of environmental factors such as, national diet, ethnic customs, type
of pollutions
Occupation - Chemical factory workers, farmers, radiology department person
Heredity
Precancerous lesions
- May undergo transformation into Ca lesions and tumors.
- E.g. pigmented moles, burn scars, senile keratosis, leoukoplakia, benign
polyps/adenoma of the colon or stomach, fibrocystic disease of the breast
Obesity
- Studies have linked obesity to breast and colorectal Ca
American Cancer Society 7 Warning Signs (CAUTION)
C-
Change in bowel or bladder HABITS
A-
A sore that does not heal
U-
Unusual bleeding or discharges
T-
Thickening or a lump in the breast or elsewhere
I–
Indigestion and difficulty of swallowing
O-
Obvious change in a wart or a mole
N-
Nagging cough or hoarseness of the voice
Cancer Classification
1. Solid Tumors – Associated with the organs from which they develop. Such as breast cancer or
lung cancer
2. Hematological Cancer – Originate from blood cell-forming tissues, such as theLeukemia sans
theLym p h oma s
Characteristic of Malignant vs. Benign neoplasm
CHARACTERISTICS
BENIGN
MALIGNANT
Rate of growth
Usually slow
Variable and depends on level of differentiation; the more anaplastic the tumor, the faster its growth
Mode of growth
Grows by expansion; does not
infiltrate
surrounding
tissues;
usually encapsulated
Grows at he periphery and sends out processes that infiltrate and destroy surrounding tissues
Cell characteristics
Well differentiated cells that Undifferentiated and often bear little
resembles normal cells of the tissues from which the tumor originated
Gains access to the blood and lymphatic channels and metastasizes to other areas of the body
General effects
Usually a localized phenomenon that does not cause generalized effects unless its location interferes
with blood flow
Often causes generalized effects such as Anemia, Weakness, and weight loss
Tissue destruction
Does not usually cause tissue
damage
unless
its
location
interferes with blood flow
Often causes extensive tissue damage as the tumor outgrows its blood supply or encroaches on blood
flow to the area; may also produce substances that cause cell damage
Does not usually cause death unless its location interferes with vital functions
- seeks to define the type of tissue from which the tumor originated and the degree to which the tumor cells
retain the functional and histologic characteristics of the tissue of origin.