Nursing NUR401 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Prostate-Specific Antigen, Human Microbiota, Anaplasia
Document Summary
Cancer: a disease process that starts when genetic mutation of dna transforms normal cells into abnormal cells the abnormal cells have characteristics which are invasive and infiltrate other tissues (metastasis, cancer cells are described as malignant (bad). They show uncontrolled growth with an unknown and abnormal physiologic demand. Function still goes on: dysplasia tissue in which cells can vary in shape and size, often there are large, anaplasia cells that are undifferentiated and have variable nuclei and cell structure. nuclei, rate of mitosis increased. Associated with malignancy/cancer: neoplasm (tumor) means new growth, two types, malignant and benign. Local effects of tumors: pain (late sign): not usually an early symptom, occurs when tumor is advanced. Severity depends on type of tumor and location: pressure. Inflammation contributes to pain by increasing the pressure on the nerves, and irritation of nerve ending by chemical mediators.