NEOPLASIA

Neoplasia is defined as series of genetic events which ultimately results in abnormal growth of
cells, neoplasm is basically a greek word which means new growth now what neoplasm actually
is, so it is proliferation of cells and accompanied by stroma such as blood vessels and
connective tissue and collectively they are capable of abnormal growth, here what do we mean
by saying abnormal growth so this means that growth is excessive due to which there is a lot of
proliferation it is unregulated so it does not come under harmonal regulation and it is
autonomous it does not require any stimulus to start the growth but it just carries out without
any requirement of external stimulus.

Now according to its clinical behavior we have 2 types of neoplasms:

 Benign
 Malignant

For neoplasms we can also use the word “tumor”, Cancer only refers to term “malignant
tumor”.

BENIGN TUMORS MALIGNANT TUMORS

Their growth is slow. Rapid growth can be seen.

They are well differentiated. Anaplasia, also known as kack of

differentiation.

They do not invade surroundings. They have tendency to invade

surroundings.

Absence of metastases. They have ability to metastase even in

distant organs.

Treatment consists of surgical removal if Treatment consists of radiotherapy,

tumor compress surrounding organs or chemotherapy, immunotherapy or a
become malignant over time. combination of therapies to prevent
cancer.
 NOMENCLATURE OF NEOPLASIA:
Tumors are named according to the types of tissues they arise from main types can be:
 Epithelial tumors
 Mesenchymal tumors
o Soft tissue tumor
o Bone tumours
 Hematolymphoid tumors

We name any tumor by keeping 2 things in mind, first one is the origin of tumor and secondly
either it is benign or malignant, for benign tumors we use the term “oma” and for malignant
ones we use the term “carcinoma” or “sarcoma”

TISSUE OF ORIGIN BENIGN MALIGNANT

 Epithelial
o Glandular Adenoma Adenocarcinoma
o Squamous Papilloma Squamouscarcinoma
o Respiratory tract Bronchial edenoma Bronchiogenic carcinoma
o Renal epithelium Renal tubular adenoma Renal cell carcinoma
o Liver cells Liver cell adenoma Hepatocellular carcinoma
 Mesenchymal
o Fatty tissue Lipoma Larposarcoma
o Cartilaginous Chondroma Chondrsarcoma
o Bone Osteoma Osteosarcoma
 Hematolymphoid
o Hematopoietic cells Leukemias
o Lymphoid tissues Lymphomas
 Endothelial
o Blood vessels Hemangioma Angiosarcoma
o Lymph vessels Lymphangioma Lymphangiosarcoma
o Meninges Meningioma Invasive meningioma
 Muscle
o Smooth Leiomyoma Leiomyosarcoma
o Striated Rhabdomyoma Rhabdomyosarcoma
 Tumors of melanocytes Nervus Malignant melanoma

 Salivary glands Pleomorphic adenoma Malignant mixed tumor of

salivary gland
CLINICAL ASPECTS OF NEOPLASIA:
Malignant tumors are of course more threatening than benign tumors, morbidity and mortality
may be associated with any tumor, even a benign one. Indeed, both malignant and benign
tumors may cause problems because of

1) location and impingement on adjacent structures

2) functional activity such as hormone synthesis or the development of paraneoplastic

syndromes

3) bleeding and infections when the tumor ulcerates through adjacent surfaces

4) symptoms that result from rupture or infarction

5) cachexia or wasting.
EFFECTS OF TUMOR ON HOST:

 Location is crucial in both benign and malignant tumors. A small (1-cm) pituitary
adenoma can compress and destroy the surrounding normal gland, giving rise to
hypopituitarism. A 0.5-cm leiomyoma in the wall of the renal artery may encroach on
the blood supply, leading to renal ischemia and hypertension.
 Benign and malignant tumors can also cause excessive section of harmones causing
imbalance in the body like hyperinsulinism if they disturb the concentration of insulin or
other disorders also like hypertension or hypokalemia by disturbing levels of
corticosteroids.
 A tumor may ulcerate through a surface, with consequent bleeding or secondary
infection. Benign or malignant neoplasms that protrude into the gut lumen may become
caught in the peristaltic pull of the gut, causing intussusception and intestinal
obstruction or infarction.

CANCER CACHEXIA:

Many cancer patients suffer progressive loss of body fat and lean body mass, accompanied by
profound weakness, anorexia, and anemia this condition referred to as cachexia. However,
cachexia is not caused by the nutritional demands of the tumor. Although patients with cancer
often are anorexic, current evidence indicates that cachexia results from the action of soluble
factors such as cytokines produced by the tumor and the host, rather than reduced food intake.

PARANEOPLASTIC SYNDROME:

Paraneoplastic syndromes are a group of rare disorders that are triggered by an abnormal
immune system response to a cancerous tumor known as a "neoplasm." Paraneoplastic
syndromes are thought to happen when cancer-fighting antibodies or white blood cells (known
as T cells) mistakenly attack normal cells in the nervous system. These symptoms may include

 Difficulty in walking or swallowing

 Loss of muscle tone
 Loss of fine motor coordination
 Slurred speech
 Memory loss
 Vision problems
 Sleep disturbances
 Dementia
  Seizures
 Sensory loss in the limbs
 Vertigo or dizziness

RISK FACTORS FOR NEOPLASIA:

 Age
 Smoking
 Drinking
 Environment
 Obesity
 Hereditary

SYMPTOMS:

 Fatigue

 Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin

 Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain

 Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkening or redness of the skin, sores that won't
heal, or changes to existing moles

 Changes in bowel or bladder habits

 Persistent cough or trouble breathing

 Difficulty swallowing

 Hoarseness

 Persistent indigestion or discomfort after eating

 Persistent, unexplained muscle or joint pain

 Persistent, unexplained fevers or night sweats

 Unexplained bleeding or bruising

PREVENTION;

Doctors have identified several ways to reduce your risk of cancer, such as:
  Stop smoking.

 Avoid excessive sun exposure.

 Eat a healthy diet.

 Exercise most days of the week.

 Maintain a healthy weight.

 Drink alcohol in moderation, if you choose to drink.

 Schedule cancer screening exams

 Ask your doctor about immunizations

REFERENCES:
 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2768634
 https://medicine.tamu.edu/class-files/class-files/tutorial/neoplasm/neopl.html
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bctxcAAGmaE&list=PPSV
 https://www.healthline.com/health/benign#vs-malignant
 http://howmed.net/pathology/clinical-aspects-of-
neoplasia/#:~:text=Progressive%20weakness%2C%20loss%20of%20apetite,with%20tum
or%20mass%20and%20spread.
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3227249/
 https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/paraneoplastic-
syndromes#:~:text=Paraneoplastic%20syndromes%20are%20a%20group,normal%20cell
s%20in%20the%20nervous
 Robbins_Basic_Pathology_9th_medicforyou