prac 3

• dysplasia

  disordered growth, cells show lack of uniformity
• features of dysplasia

  increase in nuclear size, increase in mitotic activity, full thickness of epithelium, doesnt pass into basement membrane, architechtural disarray, variance of cell appearance
• carcinoma in situ

  marked dysplasia, full epithelium, doesnt penetrate basement membrane
• precursor lesions

  squamous metaplasia, endometrial hyperplasia
• benign tumour macroscopic appearance

  well circumscribed, may be encapsulated, no haemorrhage or necrosis, usually homogenous in colour, no involvement of surrounding lymph node
• microscopic features of a benign tumour

  well differentiated, rounded edges, neoplastic growth of ducts and stromal tissue, usually resembles tissue of origin, no or very rare mitoses, usually no cytological atypia
• macroscopic features of a malignant tumour

  poorly circumscribed, invasive margins, necrosis and haemorrhage, evidence of metastases to lymph nodes
• microscopic features of malignant tumours

  architechtural disarray, increase in nuclear size, nuclear hyperchromatism, increased mitoses
• What is the significance of the depth of invasion and thickness of a malignant melanoma?


  predicts likelyhood of spread, thickness also guides surgeon in excision
• Why is staging useful?

  prognosis and guide management
• What is a polyp?

  localised neoplasm projects above mucosal surface
• What environmental factors are implicated in carcinogenesis?

  Infectious agents, smoking, alcohol, diet, obesity, reproductive history and exposure to environmental carcinogen