Flashcard Set on Oncology and Tumor Immunology

Front

What is the focus of cancer biology?

Back

The focus of cancer biology is on the genetic and cellular changes that lead to the transformation of normal cells into cancerous cells.

Front

What does tumor immunology investigate?

Back

Tumor immunology investigates how the immune system recognizes and attacks tumor cells.

Front

What is the independence of growth signals in tumor cells?

Back

Tumor cells can grow without external stimuli, using their own signaling molecules to promote proliferation and reduce apoptosis.

Front

How do normal cells respond to growth signals?

Back

Normal cells reproduce only when they receive 'orders' from growth signals and stop when these signals are absent.

Front

What is the loss of sensitivity to inhibitory growth signals?

Back

It refers to tumor cells' inability to respond to signals that normally inhibit cell growth, often due to mutations in tumor suppressor genes.

Front

What is apoptosis and how do cancer cells evade it?

Back

Apoptosis is programmed cell death. Cancer cells evade it by altering their response to inhibitory signals and surviving despite damage.

Front

What factors can alter DNA structure?

Back

Environmental factors such as ionizing radiation, sunlight, and dietary carcinogens can alter DNA structure.

Front

What is the role of telomerase in cancer cells?

Back

Telomerase reactivation allows cancer cells to replicate indefinitely.

Front

What is angiogenesis and why is it important for tumors?

Back

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels, which is necessary for tumors to obtain nutrients and oxygen.

Front

What is the difference between invasion and metastasis?

Back

Invasion is the ability of tumor cells to invade surrounding tissues, while metastasis is the spread of cancer cells to distant sites.