HSC4711 Exam 4 revised study guide Chapter 12 Cancer 1 Define the following terms cancer benign tumor tumor metastasis carotenoid phytochemical carcinoma lymphoma polyp melanoma prostate specific antigen basal cell carcinoma squamous cell carcinoma remission carcinogen Cancer The abnormal uncontrolled multiplication of cells Benign tumor a tumor that is not cancerous Tumor A mass of tissue that serves no physiological purpose also called a neoplasm Metastasis the spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another Carotenoid Any of a group of yellow to red plant pigments that can be converted to vitamin A by the liver many act as antioxidants or have other anti cancer effects The carotenoids include beta carotene lutein lycopene and zeaxanthin Phytochemical A naturally occurring substance found in plant foods that may help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease phyto means plant Carcinoma Cancer originates in the epithelial tissue skin glands and lining of internal organs or rectum Lymphoma A tumor originating from the lymphatic tissue Polyp A small usually harmless mass of tissue that projects from the surface of the colon Melanoma A malignant cancerous and Harmful tumor of the skin that arises from pigmented cells usually a mole Prostate specific antigen A diagnostic test for prostate cancer that measures blood levels of Prostate specific antigen PSA Basal cell carcinoma Cancer of the deepest layers of skin Squamous cell carcinoma Cancer of the surface layers of the skin Remission A period during the course of cancer in which there are no symptoms or other evidence if disease 2 What is cancer Carcinogen a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue Cancer is the abnormal uncontrolled multiplication of Cells which can ultimately cause death if left untreated 3 Define and describe the four classifications of cancer carcinoma sarcoma lymphoma leukemia Carcinomas arise from epithelia tissues that cover external body surfaces line internal tubes and cavities and form the secreting portion of glands They are the most common type of cancers major sites include the skin breast uterus prostate lungs and gastrointestinal tract membranes covering muscles and fat Sarcomas arise from connective and brous tissues such as muscle bone cartilage and the Lymphomas are cancers of the lymph nodes part of the body s infection ghting system Leukemia are cancers of the blood forming cells 4 Identify and define the ABCDE test for melanoma A Asymmetry Is one half unlike the other defined border B Border irregularity Does it have an uneven scalloped edge rather than a clearly C Color variation Is the color uniform or does it vary from one area to another from tan to brown to black or from white to red to blue D Diameter larger than 1 4 inch At its widest point is the growth as large as or larger than a pencil eraser 5 What is the incidence and prevalence of cancer mortality and morbidity in the USA Each year more than 1 5 million people in the United States are diagnosed with cancer Most will be cured or be able to live years longer In fact the American Cancer Society ACS estimates that the 5 year survival rate for all Cancers diagnosed between 1995 and 2005 is 68 These Statistics exclude more than 1 million cases of the curable types of skin cancer At current U S rates however nearly 1 in 2 men and more than 1 in 3 women will develop cancer at some point in their lives Death rates from cancer are not declining as fast as those from heart disease in large part because of the differing effects that quitting smoking has on disease risk Heart related damage of smoking reverses more quickly and more signi cantly than the cancer related damage from smoking Smoking related gene mutations cannot be reversed although other mechanisms can sometimes control cellular changes If heart disease death rates continue to decline faster than cancer death rates cancer may overtake heart disease as the leading cause of death among Americans of all ages The American Cancer Society estimates that 90 of skin cancer could be prevented by protecting the skin from the rays of the sun and 87 of lung cancer could be prevented by avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke Thousands of cases of colon breast and uterine cancer could be prevented by improving the diet and controlling body weight Regular screenings and self examinations have the potential to save an additional 100 000 lives per year 6 Know the pathophysiology risk factors and signs symptoms for the following cancers lung breast colon rectum and prostate skin female reproductive tract Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the United States responsible for about 157 000 deaths each year Since 1987 lung cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in women o Risk Factors the chief risk factor for lung cancer is tobacco smoke which currently accounts for 30 of all cancer deaths and 90 of lung cancer deaths When smoking is combined with exposure to other carcinogens such as asbestos particles or certain pollutants the risk of cancer can be multiplied by a factor of 10 or more Environmental tobacco smoke ETS is a human carcinogen even brief exposure can cause serious harm ETS causes about 3400 lung cancer deaths each year in nonsmokers Detection and Treatment Lung cancer is dif cult to detect at an early stage and hard to cure even when detected early Symptoms of lung cancer do not usually appear until the disease has advanced to the invasive stage Signals such as a persistent cough chest pain or recurring bronchitis may be the rst indication of a tumor s presence A diagnosis can usually be made by CT scanning chest X rays or analysis of the cells in sputum If caught early localized cancers can be treated with surgery But because only about 15 of lung cancers are detected before they spread radiation and chemotherapy are often used in addition to surgery For cases detected early 53 of patients are alive 5 years after diagnosis but overall the 5 year survival rate is only 15 Colon and rectal Cancer the second and third most common form of cancer o Risk Factors Age is a key risk factor for colon and rectal cancers 91 of cases are people 50 plus years of age o Preexisting polyps may increase risk o Alcohol and smoking may increase risk of colon cancer o Diet with a lot of red meats and low fiber Detection and treatment if identified early precancerous polyps may be removed surgically before they spread