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Difference between revisions of "Cancer"
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'''Cancer''' is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. It keeps pathologists busy. | [[Image:Colon cancer 2.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Gross]] image of a [[colon cancer]].]] | ||
'''Cancer''' is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. It is what keeps pathologists busy. | |||
This article deals with general concepts in cancer. Specific forms of cancer are | This article deals with general concepts in cancer. Specific forms of cancer are dealt with in their own articles (e.g. [[colorectal adenocarcinoma]]) and/or the [[site|anatomical site]] articles. | ||
In addition to be an introduction to cancer, this article also deals with ''cancers of unknown primary''. | |||
==Definition of cancer== | ==Definition of cancer== | ||
Robbins definition of cancer:<ref name=Ref_PCPBoD8_145>{{Ref PCPBoD8|145}}</ref> | The ''Robbins'' definition of cancer:<ref name=Ref_PCPBoD8_145>{{Ref PCPBoD8|145}}</ref> | ||
*Tumour with the capacity to: | *Tumour with the capacity to: | ||
*#Invade (infiltrate) and destroy adjacent tissue. | *#Invade (infiltrate) and destroy adjacent tissue. | ||
*#Spread to other sites (metastasize). | *#Spread to other sites (metastasize). | ||
Note: | |||
*Tumour = abnormal mass of tissue.<ref name=Ref_PCPBoD8_145>{{Ref PCPBoD8|145}}</ref> | *Tumour = abnormal mass of tissue.<ref name=Ref_PCPBoD8_145>{{Ref PCPBoD8|145}}</ref> | ||
**Neoplasm = literally "new growth"; used interchangeably with ''tumour''.<ref name=Ref_PCPBoD8_145>{{Ref PCPBoD8|145}}</ref> | **Neoplasm = literally "new growth"; used interchangeably with ''tumour''.<ref name=Ref_PCPBoD8_145>{{Ref PCPBoD8|145}}</ref> | ||
===Tumours=== | ===Tumours=== | ||
Tumours '' | Tumours per ''Robbins''<ref name=Ref_PCPBoD8_145>{{Ref PCPBoD8|145}}</ref> consist of: | ||
#Clonal expansions. | #Clonal expansions. | ||
#Stromal components - controlled by the clonal component. | #Stromal components - controlled by the clonal component. | ||
Note: | |||
*''Tumour'' may be used to refer to a non-neoplastic process; one dictionary definition of ''tumour'' is ''abnormal swelling''.<ref>URL: [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tumour?s=t http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tumour?s=t]. Accessed on: 22 May 2012.</ref> Also see note in ''[[definition of cancer]]''. | |||
==Clinical features of cancer== | ==Clinical features of cancer== | ||
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#Direct invasion/destruction of tissue. | #Direct invasion/destruction of tissue. | ||
#Metastases. | #Metastases. | ||
Notes: | |||
*3 may or many not be present. Primary brain cancer rarely metastasizes. | |||
==Theory== | ==Theory== | ||
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==Cancers of unknown primary== | ==Cancers of unknown primary== | ||
:''Undifferentiated malignancy'', ''unknown primary tumours'', and ''poorly differentiated malignancy'' redirect here. | |||
===Clinical history=== | ===Clinical history=== | ||
#Past history of cancer, i.e. is it a recurrence? | #Past history of cancer, i.e. is it a recurrence? | ||
#Family history of cancer? | #Family history of cancer? | ||
#Symptoms/presentation. | #Symptoms/presentation. | ||
#Occupation & documented exposures. | #Occupation & documented exposures - esp. [[smoking]], excessive [[alcohol]] use. | ||
#Impression from clinician(s). | #Impression from clinician(s). | ||
===Radiology/gross pathology=== | ===Radiology/gross pathology=== | ||
#Location of | #Where is the largest lesion? | ||
#Location of the other lesions? | |||
#Is the pattern of spread compatible with the suspected primary site? | |||
#Is the tumour at a location of a common (primary) cancer in the individual's demographic group? | |||
===Pathologic features=== | ===Pathologic features=== | ||
#Histomorphologic characteristics - see ''[[ | #Histomorphologic characteristics - see ''[[modified general morphologic DDx of malignancy]]''. | ||
#Special [[stains]]. | #Special [[stains]]. | ||
#[[Immunohistochemistry]]. | #[[Immunohistochemistry]]. | ||
#[[Molecular pathology]]. | #[[Molecular pathology]]. | ||
#[[Electron microscopy]]. | |||
==Incidence and deaths in Canada== | ==Incidence and deaths in Canada== | ||
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*[[Cancer staging systems]]. | *[[Cancer staging systems]]. | ||
*[[Angiogenesis]]. | *[[Angiogenesis]]. | ||
*[[Metastasis]]. | |||
*[[Collision tumour]]. | |||
*[[Viruses and cancer]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||