cancer
abnormal, uncontrolled cellular multiplication that can ultimately cause death
tumours (neoplasm)
a mass of tissue that serves no physiological purpose
benign tumour
a mass of tissue that is non-cancerous
malignant tumour
a mass of tissue that is cancerous and capable of spreading
- can invade surrounding structures including blood vessels, lymphatic system and nerves
lymphatic system
a network of vessels that returns proteins, lipids and other substances from fluid in the tissues to the circulatory system
how does a tumour usually develop?
what is the tumour development series?
biopsy
the removal and examination of a small piece of body tissue; a needle biopsy uses a needle to remove a small sample, but some biopsies require surgery
primary tumour
Cancer’s original location
metastasis - what is it and why does it happen?
the spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another
- cancer cells do not stick together as strongly as normal cells so they can break apart and recruit healthy cells
Secondary tumour (metastases)
new tumours other than the primary tumour
what happens if the cancer cells enter the lymphatic system or the bloodstream?
what is one principal method for predicting the outcome of cancer?
counting the lymph nodes that contain cancer
staging
a method of classifying the progress or extent of cancer in a person (5 stages)
Stage 0
early cancer, present only in the layers of cells where it originated
Stage I,II,III
more extensive cancer, with higher numbers indicating great tumour size and/or the degree to which cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or organ s adjacent to the primary tumour
Stage IV
advanced cancer that has spread to other body parts
Types of cancer: Carcinomas
Types of cancer: sarcomas
- ie. muscle, bone, cartilage and membranes covering muscles and fat
Types of cancer: lymphomas
- ie. part of the body that fights infections
Types of cancer: leukaemia
- ie. bone marrow
Lung cancer - what are the risk factors and what is the detection and treatment process and what is “unique” about it? and symptoms
Chemotherapy
the treatment of cancer with chemicals that selectively destroy cancerous cells
remission
a period during the course of cancer in which there are no symptoms or other evidence of disease