PATHOPHYSIOLOGY – EXAM 2 | PORTAGE LEARNING | ACADEMIC YEAR
2025/2026 – COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE WITH PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
EXPLANATIONS
True/False:
Blood tests for tumor markers can make a diagnosis of cancer. Why or why not?
Answer-False, only tissue can diagnose. Tumor markers are helpful to assess response to therapy or
reoccurrence.
What is the most important procedure in diagnosing the correct cancer and histology?
Answer-tissue biopsy
Explain the TNM system:
Answer-T is the size and local spread of the primary tumor. N is the involvement of the
regional lymph nodes.
M is the extent of the metastatic involvement.
1. List two signs or symptoms a patient may present with that might indicate a cancer diagnosis:
2. What are two systemic manifestations of cancer exhibited by cancer patients?
3. Answer-1. S+S: Bleeding; sore that doesn't heal; fluid in the pleural, pericardial, or peritoneal
spaces; chest pain,
shortness of breath, cough, abdominal discomfort or swelling. Other possible answers can include a
mass or lump, pain (need to be specific), fatigue, fevers, weight loss
2. Systemic: Weight loss, wasting of body fat and muscle tissue, weakness, anorexia, and anemia, fatigue,
sleep disturbances
1. What are the three possible goals of cancer treatment?
2. How does radiation kill cancer cells?
3. Answer-1. Curative, control, palliative
, 2. Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles or waves to destroy or damage cancer cells. This leads to
the creation of free radicals, which damage cell structures. Radiation can interrupt the cell cycle process,
kill cells, or damage DNA in the cells.
True/False:
Cell proliferation is the process of increasing cell numbers by mitotic cell division.
Answer-true
True/False:
Cell differentiation is the process of increasing cell numbers by mitotic cell division.
Answer-false
What are two important properties that stem cells possess?
Answer-potency and self-renewal
Which of the following are most likely to have arisen from an adult stem cell?
Answer-epithelial (they are constantly being replaced)
Define polyp. Are they benign or malignant?
Answer-Polyps are abnormal growths found on a mucosal lining, such as the intestine, vagina, mouth or
nose. Polyps can be benign or malignant.
How do cancer cells achieve immortality?
Answer-Cancer cells keep high levels of telomerase, an enzyme that prevents telomere shortening.
This gives the ability of the chromosomes to continue to replicate forever.
What is a tumor suppressor gene? Give one example.
Answer-Tumor suppressor genes are associated with gene underactivity. These genes slow down cell
division, repair DNA mistakes, or tell cells when to die. BRCA1 or 2, TP53
A 40-year-old woman has experienced heavy menstrual bleeding. She was told she has a uterine tumor
called a leiomyoma. She is worried she has cancer. What do you tell her? Explain at least 2 differences
between a benign and malignant tumor.
2025/2026 – COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE WITH PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
EXPLANATIONS
True/False:
Blood tests for tumor markers can make a diagnosis of cancer. Why or why not?
Answer-False, only tissue can diagnose. Tumor markers are helpful to assess response to therapy or
reoccurrence.
What is the most important procedure in diagnosing the correct cancer and histology?
Answer-tissue biopsy
Explain the TNM system:
Answer-T is the size and local spread of the primary tumor. N is the involvement of the
regional lymph nodes.
M is the extent of the metastatic involvement.
1. List two signs or symptoms a patient may present with that might indicate a cancer diagnosis:
2. What are two systemic manifestations of cancer exhibited by cancer patients?
3. Answer-1. S+S: Bleeding; sore that doesn't heal; fluid in the pleural, pericardial, or peritoneal
spaces; chest pain,
shortness of breath, cough, abdominal discomfort or swelling. Other possible answers can include a
mass or lump, pain (need to be specific), fatigue, fevers, weight loss
2. Systemic: Weight loss, wasting of body fat and muscle tissue, weakness, anorexia, and anemia, fatigue,
sleep disturbances
1. What are the three possible goals of cancer treatment?
2. How does radiation kill cancer cells?
3. Answer-1. Curative, control, palliative
, 2. Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles or waves to destroy or damage cancer cells. This leads to
the creation of free radicals, which damage cell structures. Radiation can interrupt the cell cycle process,
kill cells, or damage DNA in the cells.
True/False:
Cell proliferation is the process of increasing cell numbers by mitotic cell division.
Answer-true
True/False:
Cell differentiation is the process of increasing cell numbers by mitotic cell division.
Answer-false
What are two important properties that stem cells possess?
Answer-potency and self-renewal
Which of the following are most likely to have arisen from an adult stem cell?
Answer-epithelial (they are constantly being replaced)
Define polyp. Are they benign or malignant?
Answer-Polyps are abnormal growths found on a mucosal lining, such as the intestine, vagina, mouth or
nose. Polyps can be benign or malignant.
How do cancer cells achieve immortality?
Answer-Cancer cells keep high levels of telomerase, an enzyme that prevents telomere shortening.
This gives the ability of the chromosomes to continue to replicate forever.
What is a tumor suppressor gene? Give one example.
Answer-Tumor suppressor genes are associated with gene underactivity. These genes slow down cell
division, repair DNA mistakes, or tell cells when to die. BRCA1 or 2, TP53
A 40-year-old woman has experienced heavy menstrual bleeding. She was told she has a uterine tumor
called a leiomyoma. She is worried she has cancer. What do you tell her? Explain at least 2 differences
between a benign and malignant tumor.
