Cancer Basics
This process transforms a normal cell into a cancer cell.
What is carcinogenesis?
A mutated gene that drives uncontrolled cellular growth.
What is an oncogene?
Mutation present in every cell of the body and inherited from a parent.
What is a germline mutation?
Delivery of radiation in multiple smaller treatments.
What is fractionation?
Example of an early-responding tissue.
What is skin/mucosa/bone marrow?
These cells invade surrounding tissues and may metastasize.
What are malignant cells?
This gene type maintains genomic integrity through DNA repair.
What is a DNA stability gene (caretaker gene)?
Degree to which tissue responds to ionizing radiation.
What is radiosensitivity?
Standard conventional fraction size.
What is 1.8-2.0 Gy/fraction?
EQD2 stands for this.
What is Equivalent Dose in 2 Gy Fractions?
A normal growth-regulating gene that can become cancer-promoting after mutation.
What is a proto-oncogene?
Name one mechanism of oncogene activation.
What is point mutation/gene amplification/chromosomal translocation/etc.?
Syndrome associated with mutations in ATM.
What is Ataxia-Telangiectasia?
Fractionation schedule using smaller doses more than once daily.
What is hyperfractionation?
Which tissue type is most sensitive to dose per fraction and give an example?
What is late-responding tissue? Examples are spinal cord/kidney/lung.
Loss of both copies is often required before function is lost.
What is a tumour suppressor gene?
BRCA1 is an example of this type of gene.
What is a caretaker gene?
Ataxia-telangiectasia follows this pattern of inheritance.
What is autosomal recessive inheritance?
Fractionation schedule delivering larger doses in fewer treatments.
What is hypofractionation?
Example of an early-responding tissue.
What is skin/mucosa/bone marrow?
Name the three major stages of carcinogenesis.
What are initiation, promotion, and progression?
This tumour suppressor is often called the "guardian of the genome."
What is p53 (TP53)?
Why might hereditary DNA repair disorders influence RT planning?
Increased risk of toxicity and secondary malignancies.
Fractionation schedule designed to shorten overall treatment time.
What is accelerated fractionation?
Tissue type with an α/β ratio around 10 Gy.
What is late-responding tissue?