Concepts of NeoplasiaOBJECTIVES/RATIONALE

A neoplasm is an abnormal growth of tissue that may be benign or malignant. The student will identify terms

related to neoplasia, classifications of tumors, and grading and staging of cancer.

Cancer Statistics

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide and afflicts two of every three families.

Deaths from cancer in the world are projected to continue to rise with an estimated 9 million deaths projected in 2015 and 11.4 million deaths in 2030, according to the World Health Organization.

In the United States, approximately one of every two men and one of every three women will be diagnosed with an invasive cancer in their lifetime.

I. General Aspects of Neoplasia

A. Cellsa. Many cells of the body are constantly

undergoing reproduction and maturationb. All cell lines go through the process of

differentiation (primitive non-specialized cell that matures into a specific cell type based on function it will perform)

c. A cell that is non-differentiated is one that has remained in a rudimentary state (or regressed back to earlier stage) - Cancer (Ca) cells are less differentiated (more primitive) or completely non-differentiated

Neoplasia

• Uncontrolled growth of cells • Neoplasm or tumor: a mass of cells that

grow more rapidly than normal cellsBenign - noncancerousMalignant - consists of rapidly dividing cells that

accumulate uncontrollably and invade normal tissue and have the ability to metastasize or generate independent tumors at distant sites

Characteristics of Benign Tumors

• Classified according to tissue of origin• Encapsulated with clearly defined edges• Do not metastasize or recur following

surgery• Differentiated; resembles the tissue from

which it grew

Biology of Cancer

Carcinogenesis- development of cancer and is multistep process that involves a complex sequences of genetic mutations

Mutation- a change in the biochemistry of a gene resulting in the production of abnormal cells

Oncogene- a gene that when mutated or expressed at abnormally high levels contributes to converting normal cell into a cancer cell; normally they encode proteins that regulates cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis

Tumor supressor genes- (TSG) the protein of a TSG is responsible for cell cycle control, checkpoint control, cell signaling, promotion of apoptosis, and DNA repair; inactivation of TSG’s causes genetic instability

DNA repair genes- (caretaker genes) responsible for the repair of errors in normal DNA replication

Etiolology of Cancer

EpidemiologyEndogenous

Genetics- age, race, heredity, hormones, and immunity

Environmental Tobacco Industrial chemicals and radiationsDietAlcoholChronic infectionsMedicinal carcinogens

Click here to view a video on the topic of the genetics of cancer. Return to Directory

II. Classification of Neoplasia by Tissue Origin Epithelial Tissue – malignant growths arising from this tissue are

called carcinomas - Epithelial tissue includes: internal organs, linings of body cavities, and glands

Connective Tissue – malignant growths arising from this tissue are called sarcomas - Connective tissue includes: bone, muscle, and blood

Special Tissue Malignancies - Glial Tissue – malignant growths arising from connective tissue of brain and nervous system are called gliomas

Benign Tumors Are Named On Basis of Involved Tissue - Name of tissue involved + suffix – oma (as opposed to –carcinoma and –sarcoma); ex. Osteoma

• Mixed Cancer – epithelial and connective tissue• Lymphoma – Lymphoid tissue• Leukemia – white blood cells• Melanoma – melanin

Classification of Neoplasia

Tissue Type Benign Malignant

EPITHELIAL TISSUE: Tissue TypeGlandPapilloma

AdenomaPapilloma

AdenocarcinomaPapillocarcinoma

CONNECTINE TISSUE:Tissue typeBoneCartilageFat

OsteomaChondromaLipoma

OcteosarcomaChondrosarcomaLiposarcoma

SPECIAL TISSUE:Glia nerve tissue

Glioma

III. Uncontrolled Growth of Cancer Cells

A. cancer cells grow without the stop controls that characterize normal cell growth

1. there is rapid cell division and reproduction (mitoses)

2. at certain stage of development, cancer cells fail to mature

3. when squamous epithelial cancer has not moved past the basement membrane, it is temporarily contained and said to be in situ - this can be seen in early lesions of the cervix, mouth, and larynx

4. cancers break through the underlying tissue and metastasize

Cervical Cancer

III. Uncontrolled Growth of Cancer Cells (Continued) B. cancer cells can metastasize in three

ways: 1. cancer can “shed” cells that can

circulate into the blood and lymphatic systems

2. by accidental transplantation during invasive (surgical) procedures

3. progressive, invasive growth that spreads to adjacent organs

IV. Etiology of Cancer (Proven and Suspected)

Carcinogenesis has no single cause.

• Changes in bowel or bladder habits• A sore that does not heal• Unusual bleeding or discharge• Thickening or lump in the breast or any other

part of the body• Indigestion or difficulty swallowing• An obvious change in a wart or mole• A nagging cough or hoarseness

(American Cancer Society)

Non-specific Warning Signs of Cancer

IV. Etiology of Cancer (Proven and Suspected) B. Carcinogenesis may result from complex

interactions between viruses, physical and chemical carcinogens, and genetic, dietary, immunologic, and hormonal factors.

a. The Virus Aspect – animal research has shown that viruses can transform cells

1. Epstein-Barr virus that causes infectious mononucleosis is associated with Burkett’s lymphoma and nasopharyngeal Ca.

2. Types of human papilloma virus are linked to cervical Ca.

3. Hepatitis B virus can cause liver Ca. 4. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus is suspected of

causing adult T-cell leukemia

IV. Etiology of Cancer (Proven and Suspected)

b. Exposure & Environmental Chemicals Factors – relationship between excessive exposure to sun’s UV rays and skin Ca is well established; substances in the environment can cause cancer by damaging DNA in cells.

1. UV exposure and sunburn linked to melanoma 2. radiation exposure suspected to provoke tumor development

and leukemia 3. also contributing to the exposure aspect are: individual’s

tissue type, age, hormonal status, health status 4. chemicals from tobacco contain common carcinogens and are

related to cancers such as: lung, pancreatic, kidney, bladder, and esophageal Ca)

5. asbestos and airborne hydrocarbons are related to lung Ca

IV. Etiology of Cancer (Proven and Suspected)

c. Specific Dietary Suspects – some types of foods, additives and preparation are considered cancer risks.

1. High-protein and high-fat diets 2. Food additives such as nitrates 3. Charbroiling

IV. Etiology of Cancer (Proven and Suspected)

d. Familial Tendencies: The Genetic Factor i. Some cancers have a familial link and share the

following characteristics: 1. early onset 2. increased incidence of bilateral cancer in paired

organs (breasts, adrenal glands, kidneys) 3. increased incidence of multiple primary cancers in

nonpaired organs 4. unique tumor site combinations 5. two or more family members in same generation

with same cancer

IV. Etiology of Cancer (Proven and Suspected)

e. The Hormone Factor 1. The role hormones play in cancer is

controversial 2. excessive hormone use (estrogen)

has shown increased risk for certain types of cancer (ovarian, breast)

V. Grading and Staging of Malignant Neoplasia A. Classification process that is helpful in determining

prognosis and treatment a. Grading – a histologic method used by

pathologists when they examine tissue or cell specimens

1. Looking for differentiation 2. Severity of malignancy can be assessed by degree

of dysplasia or anaplasia present (remember anaplastic cells have de-differentiated or regressed from normal mature form)

3. Growth rate can be loosely determined by number of mitotic cells present—an increase in numbers means that cells are reproducing faster

V. Grading and Staging of Malignant Neoplasia b. Recognized grades of malignancy: 1. Grade I – cells are well differentiated (closely

resemble tissue of origin), with little mitoses. Prognosis is good.

2. Grade II – cells are moderately differentiated (some structural similarity to parent tissue), with moderate mitoses. Prognosis is fair.

3. Grade III – Cells are poorly differentiated (little resemblance to their origin), with many mitoses. Prognosis is fair to poor.

4. Grade IV – Cells are de-differentiated (bizarre and primitive with unrecognizable origins), with many mitoses. Prognosis is poor.

V. Grading and Staging of Malignant Neoplasia

c. Staging – a classification based on clinical findings by the physician (often oncologist)

1. stage relates to degree of spread (whereas grade relates to malignancy)

2. staging is based on size of primary tumor and amount of metastasis or secondary tumors

V. Grading and Staging of Malignant Neoplasia

d. Rules of Staging Follow TNM protocol: 1. T refers to tumor size (1 to 4) 2. N refers to numbers of lymph nodes

affected (local invasion) 3. M means the extent of metastasis ii. Staging usually has a better correlation

with prognosis.

Table 4-1: Classification of Tumors

Table 4-5: Childhood Cancers

Table 4-5: Childhood Cancers (cont.)

Cancer Treatment

• Prevention- pg 75• Chemoprevention• Screening• Chemotherapy• Radiation therapy• Surgery

Table 4-6: American Cancer Society Recommendations for Early Detection of Cancer in Asymptomatic People