Deck 9: Biology of Cancer and Tumor Spread

Question 1

Which of the following factors is necessary for local tumor spread?

A) Increased cellular motility
B) Increased cell adhesion
C) Temporary cessation of cell division
D) Presence of lymphatic vessels

Answer 1

Increased cellular motility

Question 2

In cancer, angiogenic factors stimulate:

A) release of growth factors.
B) tumor regression.
C) apoptosis.
D) new blood vessel growth.

Answer 2

new blood vessel growth.

Question 3

A 40-year-old female was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, for which she refused treatment. Four years later she returned to her physician. Testing revealed that the cancer had metastasized to the:

A) brain.
B) lungs.
C) liver.
D) bones.

Answer 3

liver.

Question 4

A physician is attempting to diagnose cancer and is looking for a tumor marker. Which of the following could be a possible marker?

A) Red blood cells
B) Apoptotic cells
C) Enzymes
D) Neurotransmitters

Question 5

Presence of telomere caps gives cancer cells:

A) immortality.
B) clonal distinction.
C) pleomorphism.
D) mutagenic abilities.

Question 6

A 25-year-old male develops a tumor of the breast glandular tissue. This type of tumor is classified as a(n):

A) carcinoma.
B) adenocarcinoma.
C) sarcoma.
D) lymphoma.

Question 7

A 50-year-old female develops skin cancer. One potential reason for development of this condition is:

A) mutation of caretaker genes.
B) heterozygosity for genetic markers.
C) silencing of an oncogene.
D) DNA methylation.

Question 8

The process by which a cell acquires specific new observable characteristics is:

A) commitment.
B) differentiation.
C) commutation.
D) consanguination.

Question 9

A 52-year-old male with hepatitis C recently developed hepatic cancer. Which of the following markers should be increased?

A) Alpha-fetoprotein
B) Catecholamines
C) Prostate-specific antigen
D) Homovanillic acid

Question 10

A patient has a tissue growth that was diagnosed as cancer. Which of the following growth types could it be?

A) Neoplasm
B) Lipoma
C) Meningioma
D) Organ hypertrophy

Question 11

A proto-oncogene is best defined as:

A) a normal gene.
B) an altered gene.
C) an inactive gene.
D) a tumor-suppressor gene.

Question 12

Which feature is characteristic of malignant tumor?

A) Grows slowly
B) Has a well-defined capsule
C) Has a high mitotic index
D) Is well-differentiated

Question 13

Of the following genetic lesions that cause cancer, which is the most common?

A) Insertions
B) Deletions
C) Point mutations
D) Amplification

Question 14

When a cancer cell loses differentiation, _____ has occurred.

A) autonomy
B) anaplasia
C) pleomorphic
D) metastasis

Question 15

A 45-year-old female was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer. She reports a sexual history that includes 43 partners. Which of the following is the most likely cause of her cancer?

A) Herpes virus
B) Rubella virus
C) Human papilloma virus
D) Hepatitis B virus

Question 16

Preinvasive epithelial tumors of glandular or squamous cell origin are referred to as:

A) tumor in differentiation.
B) premetastatic.
C) cancer in situ.
D) cancer beyond (meta) situ.

Question 17

A 45-year-old male presents with persistent, severe stomach pain. Testing reveals a peptic ulcer. Further laboratory tests reveal the presence of Helicobacter pylori. Which of the following is of concern for this patient?

A) Gastric cancer
B) Leukemia
C) Lung cancer
D) Adenocarcinoma of the colon

Question 18

The best explanation for higher rates of cancer in older populations is:

A) aging cells are more susceptible to mutation.
B) the development of cancer requires several mutations over time.
C) older individuals have higher rates of tobacco use.
D) the elderly show increased rates of apoptosis.

Question 19

A 30-year-old American male with HIV is diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus. After 2 months, the virus is still active. What is the concern for this patient?

A) Development of B cell lymphoma
B) Development of Burkitt lymphoma
C) Development of T cell leukemia
D) Development of T cell lymphoma

Question 20

A child develops retinoblastoma. Which of the following must have occurred?

A) The rb gene was activated.
B) Mutations in the rb gene occurred in both copies of the gene.
C) The apoptosis gene was activated.
D) Only one copy of the rb gene was mutated.

Question 21

The most common route of metastasis is through the:

A) arteries.
B) body cavities.
C) lymphatics.
D) connective tissues.