Question 1

The most common route of metastasis is through the:

Accepted Answer

A)   arteries.
B)   body cavities.
C)   lymphatics.
D)   connective tissues. C

Question 2

A 52-year-old male with hepatitis C recently developed hepatic cancer. Which of the following markers should be increased?

Accepted Answer

A)   Alpha-fetoprotein
B)   Catecholamines
C)   Prostate-specific antigen
D)   Homovanillic acid A

Question 3

A 40-year-old female was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, for which she refused treatment. Four years later she returned to her physician. Testing revealed that the cancer had metastasized to the:

Accepted Answer

A)   brain.
B)   lungs.
C)   liver.
D)   bones. C

Question 4

In cancer, angiogenic factors stimulate:

Accepted Answer

A)   release of growth factors.
B)   tumor regression.
C)   apoptosis.
D)   new blood vessel growth.

Question 5

Presence of telomere caps gives cancer cells:

Accepted Answer

A)   immortality.
B)   clonal distinction.
C)   pleomorphism.
D)   mutagenic abilities.

Question 6

Of the following genetic lesions that cause cancer, which is the most common?

Accepted Answer

A)   Insertions
B)   Deletions
C)   Point mutations
D)   Amplification

Question 7

A proto-oncogene is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

A)   a normal gene.
B)   an altered gene.
C)   an inactive gene.
D)   a tumor-suppressor gene.

Question 8

A 45-year-old male presents with persistent, severe stomach pain. Testing reveals a peptic ulcer. Further laboratory tests reveal the presence of Helicobacter pylori. Which of the following is of concern for this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   Gastric cancer
B)   Leukemia
C)   Lung cancer
D)   Adenocarcinoma of the colon

Question 9

When a cancer cell loses differentiation, _____ has occurred.

Accepted Answer

A)   autonomy
B)   anaplasia
C)   pleomorphic
D)   metastasis

Question 10

A 30-year-old American male with HIV is diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus. After 2 months, the virus is still active. What is the concern for this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   Development of B cell lymphoma
B)   Development of Burkitt lymphoma
C)   Development of T cell leukemia
D)   Development of T cell lymphoma

Question 11

Which of the following factors is necessary for local tumor spread?

Accepted Answer

A)   Increased cellular motility
B)   Increased cell adhesion
C)   Temporary cessation of cell division
D)   Presence of lymphatic vessels

Question 12

Which feature is characteristic of malignant tumor?

Accepted Answer

A)   Grows slowly
B)   Has a well-defined capsule
C)   Has a high mitotic index
D)   Is well-differentiated

Question 13

A 25-year-old male develops a tumor of the breast glandular tissue. This type of tumor is classified as a(n):

Accepted Answer

A)   carcinoma.
B)   adenocarcinoma.
C)   sarcoma.
D)   lymphoma.

Question 14

Preinvasive epithelial tumors of glandular or squamous cell origin are referred to as:

Accepted Answer

A)   tumor in differentiation.
B)   premetastatic.
C)   cancer in situ.
D)   cancer beyond (meta)  situ.

Question 15

The best explanation for higher rates of cancer in older populations is:

Accepted Answer

A)   aging cells are more susceptible to mutation.
B)   the development of cancer requires several mutations over time.
C)   older individuals have higher rates of tobacco use.
D)   the elderly show increased rates of apoptosis.

Question 16

A physician is attempting to diagnose cancer and is looking for a tumor marker. Which of the following could be a possible marker?

Accepted Answer

A)   Red blood cells
B)   Apoptotic cells
C)   Enzymes
D)   Neurotransmitters

Question 17

A child develops retinoblastoma. Which of the following must have occurred?

Accepted Answer

A)   The rb gene was activated.
B)   Mutations in the rb gene occurred in both copies of the gene.
C)   The apoptosis gene was activated.
D)   Only one copy of the rb gene was mutated.

Question 18

A patient has a tissue growth that was diagnosed as cancer. Which of the following growth types could it be?

Accepted Answer

A)   Neoplasm
B)   Lipoma
C)   Meningioma
D)   Organ hypertrophy

Question 19

A 45-year-old female was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer. She reports a sexual history that includes 43 partners. Which of the following is the most likely cause of her cancer?

Accepted Answer

A)   Herpes virus
B)   Rubella virus
C)   Human papilloma virus
D)   Hepatitis B virus

Question 20

The process by which a cell acquires specific new observable characteristics is:

Accepted Answer

A)   commitment.
B)   differentiation.
C)   commutation.
D)   consanguination.

Exam 9: Biology of Cancer and Tumor Spread