Intermediate MS Monday Session Week 1 Notes Cancer/Gerontology
Focus on chapter 15 part 2 of the slides
Cancer
Definition: uncontrolled and unregulated cell growth
Neoplastic disease that involves abnormal cell growth and differentiation 2
major dysfunctions in cancer cells: cell growth and cell differentiation
Protooncogenes: are genes that promote growth. Any mutations with protooncogenes will lead turn
them to oncogenes which will be cancer cells
Tumor suppressor genes: suppresses tumor cells. Stops division of mutated cells. Once
cells begin to mutate it means the tumor suppressor gene is inactive
Ex of tumor suppressor genes: BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 which represents breast cancers
Prevention of cancer:
Reduce or avoid carcinogens like cigarettes or sun exposure
Carcinogens are cancer causing agents that are capable of making cell alterations They
can enter cells nucleus and change the cell’s DNA
• Chemical,
• radiation, and
• viral are types of carcinogens
• Chemical carcinogens ex: chimney sweeps
• Alkylating and immunosuppressive medications
• Occupation like jobs that deal with sun exposure or x-rays
• Viral carcinogens: hep B, HPV, HIV, EBV
Promote balanced diet
LIMIT alcohol intake (not completely stop)
Avoid smoking
Avoid drug use
Needle sharing: diabetic and sharing needles etc.
, Unprotected sex
Remove any weird moles/warts
Make sure to use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher
General screening preventions:
• Colonoscopy: done starting at age 50 and done every 10 years
• Pap smear: for ovarian or cervical cancer. Done as soon as the individual is sexually
active. Or start at the age of 21 and done every 3 years.
• Mammogram: between ages 23-39 every 3 years. Age 40 and above due every year
• FOB test: done yearly for regular adults
Grading of cancer: grades to see how abnormal cells resemble their tissue of origin
• Differentiated: normal grown cells that are different from one another
• Well differentiated:
o benign tumors:
o look like normal tissue and can perform its normal functions
• Undifferentiated: malignant tumors. Poor prognosis
Grading goes from 1-4
Grade 1 – slightly differs from normal
cell Grade 2 moderate differentiated
Etc.
Grade x: cannot be assessed
Staging of cancer:
Stages cancer and defines the prognosis of the individual
• Stage 0 – cancer in situ: not fully developed, just starting. Best way to remove it
• Stage 1: localized growth: tumor limited to that certain area, encapsulated
• Stage 2: local spread
• Stage 3: local and regional spread
Focus on chapter 15 part 2 of the slides
Cancer
Definition: uncontrolled and unregulated cell growth
Neoplastic disease that involves abnormal cell growth and differentiation 2
major dysfunctions in cancer cells: cell growth and cell differentiation
Protooncogenes: are genes that promote growth. Any mutations with protooncogenes will lead turn
them to oncogenes which will be cancer cells
Tumor suppressor genes: suppresses tumor cells. Stops division of mutated cells. Once
cells begin to mutate it means the tumor suppressor gene is inactive
Ex of tumor suppressor genes: BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 which represents breast cancers
Prevention of cancer:
Reduce or avoid carcinogens like cigarettes or sun exposure
Carcinogens are cancer causing agents that are capable of making cell alterations They
can enter cells nucleus and change the cell’s DNA
• Chemical,
• radiation, and
• viral are types of carcinogens
• Chemical carcinogens ex: chimney sweeps
• Alkylating and immunosuppressive medications
• Occupation like jobs that deal with sun exposure or x-rays
• Viral carcinogens: hep B, HPV, HIV, EBV
Promote balanced diet
LIMIT alcohol intake (not completely stop)
Avoid smoking
Avoid drug use
Needle sharing: diabetic and sharing needles etc.
, Unprotected sex
Remove any weird moles/warts
Make sure to use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher
General screening preventions:
• Colonoscopy: done starting at age 50 and done every 10 years
• Pap smear: for ovarian or cervical cancer. Done as soon as the individual is sexually
active. Or start at the age of 21 and done every 3 years.
• Mammogram: between ages 23-39 every 3 years. Age 40 and above due every year
• FOB test: done yearly for regular adults
Grading of cancer: grades to see how abnormal cells resemble their tissue of origin
• Differentiated: normal grown cells that are different from one another
• Well differentiated:
o benign tumors:
o look like normal tissue and can perform its normal functions
• Undifferentiated: malignant tumors. Poor prognosis
Grading goes from 1-4
Grade 1 – slightly differs from normal
cell Grade 2 moderate differentiated
Etc.
Grade x: cannot be assessed
Staging of cancer:
Stages cancer and defines the prognosis of the individual
• Stage 0 – cancer in situ: not fully developed, just starting. Best way to remove it
• Stage 1: localized growth: tumor limited to that certain area, encapsulated
• Stage 2: local spread
• Stage 3: local and regional spread
