HSC 4555 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Cachexia, Sarcoma, Histology
Document Summary
Malignant tumors have the potential to kill the host, whereas benign tumors generally do not. The primary difference between malignant and benign tumors is the propensity of malignant tumors to invade adjacent tissue and spread to distant sites (metastasize). The suffix -oma is used to indicate a benign tumor (e. g. , fibroma). Carcinoma and sarcoma are used to indicate malignancy (e. g. , fibrosarcoma). Exceptions include melanomas, lymphomas, hepatomas, and leukemia, all of which are malignant. Malignant cells exhibit antisocial properties that allow them to ignore growth-controlling signals from the environment. Cancer cells proliferate excessively, become immortal, invade locally, and may travel to distant sites where they establish new colonies. The risk of developing cancer increases with age. It is estimated that men have almost a 1 in. 2 lifetime chance of developing cancer, whereas women have a little more than a 1 in 3 chance. The development of many cancers is related to lifestyle, particularly tobacco use and nutrition.
