Cancer

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Cancer is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. It keeps pathologists busy.

This article deals with general concepts in cancer. Specific forms of cancer are described by the site from which they arise. This article discusses cancers of unknown primary.

Definition

  • Uncontrolled growth.

Features

  • Uncontrolled growth.
  • Direct invasion.
  • Metastases.

Theory

  • Cancer results from an accumulation of driver mutations.
    • It is thought that approximately seven driver mutations are required.[1]

Cancers of unknown primary

Clinical history

  1. Past history of cancer, i.e. is it a recurrence?
  2. Family history of cancer?
  3. Symptoms/presentation.
  4. Occupation & documented exposures.
  5. Impression from clinician(s).

Radiology/gross pathology

  1. Location of lesion(s).

Pathologic features

  1. Histomorphologic characteristics.
  2. Special stains.
  3. Immunohistochemistry.
  4. Molecular pathology.

References

  1. ↑ Nordling C (1953). "A new theory on cancer-inducing mechanism". Br J Cancer 7 (1): 68–72. doi:10.1038/bjc.1953.8. PMC 2007872. PMID 13051507. http://www.carlonordling.se/Cancer.html.
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