vocabulary
neoplasm
an abnormal mass of tissue in which growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with that of normal tisues
tumor markers
antigens expressed on the surfaces of tumor cells or substances released from normal cells in response to the presence of a tumor
genetic instability is known as the...
hallmark of cancer
life span
cancer cells have an unlimited life span
surgery
tumor removal, and palliation
anaplasia
the loss of cell differentiation in cancerous tissue
papanicolaou test
microscopic examination of a properly prepared slide ,for the purpose of detecting the presence of abnormal cells
growth factor independence
cancer cells are able to proliferate even in the absence of growth factors
antigen expression
cancer cells express a number of cell surface antigens that are immunologically identified as foreign
radiation therapy
uses high-energy particles or waves to destroy or damage cancer cells
antigen
tissue biopsy
removal of a tissue specimen for microscopic study
cell density- dependent inhibition
cancer cells lose cell density-dependent inhibition
production of enzymes, hormones, and other substances
cancer cells may produce substances that normal cells of the tissue of origin either do not produce or secrete in lesser amounts.
chemotherapy
systematic treatment that enables drugs to reach the site of the tumor as well as other distant sites
carcinogenisis
the process by which carcinogenic agents cause normal cells to become cancer cells
immunohistochemistry
anchorage dependence
cancer cells frequently remain viable and multiply without normal attachments to other cells and the extracellular matrix
cytoskeletal changes
cancer cells may show cytoskeletal changes and abnormalities
hormone therapy
the administration of drugs designated to disrupt the hormonal environment of cancer cells
oncogenic viruses
microarray technology
uses gene chips that cane simultaneously preform miniature assays to detect and quantify the expression of large number if genes
cell-to-cell communication
advanced anaplastic cancer cells begin to resemble...
biotherapy
involves the use of immunotherapy and biologic response modifiers as a means of changing the persons own immune response to cancer