What is a neoplasm?
autonomous growing mass with uncontrolled growth (tumor)
What is the neoplasm a result of?
genetic alteration passed down to daughter cells
What does the term cancer refer to?
malignant neoplasm, usually of the epithelial type
What does the term benign refer to?
localized, growth expansive neoplasm
What is a carcinoma?
Malignant epithelial neoplasm (skin, stomach cancer)
What is a malignant neoplasm?
An invasive neoplasm with metastases - except in the brain
Example of a borderline neoplasm
ovarium cystadenoma : cystadenocarcinoma
Characteristics of a benign neoplasm (6)
- well differenciated
- no anaplasia
- slow growth
- capsulated
- no metastasis
- no recurrence after surgery
Characteristics of malignant neoplasm (6)
- variable differenciation
- usually has anaplasia
- fast rate of growth
- no capsule
- with metastasis
- recurrence after surgery
Characteristics of borderline and in situ neoplasms (6)
- no differenciation
- anaplasia
- slow rate of growth
- no capsule
- no metastasis
- no recurrence after surgery
What is differenciation?
How much the neoplasmic tissue resembles the matured one
Examples of benign neoplasms with good differenciation (3)
- lipoma
- tubular adenoma (colon)
- follicular adenoma (thyroid)
What is anaplasia?
lack of differenciation (near differenciated tissue)
7 characteristics of anaplasia
- Pleomorphism
- Increased nuclear / cytoplasm ratio
- High mitosis
- Block of maturation
- Loss of polarity
- Metaplasia
- Functional capability
2 malignant (undifferenciated anaplastic) neoplasms with functional capability (+ what they produce)
- hepatocellular carcinoma - AFP
- lung small cell carcinoma - ectopic hormones
What is displasia?
disorderly but non neoplastic proliferation of cells
