Understand how a cancer cell from a primary benign tumor is able to leave the primary benign tumor and enter the blood stream or lymph (migration), start to adhere and grow in a nearby environment like a blood vessel near an organ (invasion) and enter into a new organ to grow and form a secondary tumor ( extravasation). What proteins would be involved in these steps and what molecular changes in the ECM or basal lamina would need to occur as well as the cancer cell for this process to happen

Which of the following are charcteristics you would expect of a circulating tumor cell that has undergone Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (select all that apply)?   A. Increased N-cahedrin expression   B. Increased resistance to apoptosis   C. Loss of ability to secrete fibronectin   D. High cytokeratin expression   E. Elevated PDGF Receptor Expression

Discuss how growth factors influence cell signaling and proliferation that leads to cancer induction, progression, and metastasis. Be sure to include the involvement of apoptosis and angiogenesis.

Differentiate among the terms cancer, tumor, and neoplasm.  Note. There is a little confusion about the terms "tumor" and "neoplasm". Think about cancers such as leukemia and other blood cell cancers. Are they tumors?

Explain why each of the following is a risk factor for cancer:  age, loss-of-function mutations in repair or tumor-suppressor genes, certain viruses such as HPV, chemical mutagens, radiation/UV light

Discuss the link between the exponential growth of tumors and tumor metastasis and how these are influenced by cancer chemotherapy.

Explain the molecular mechanisms of cancers caused by a P53 gene mutation.

Which of the following steps are correct about multistep tumorigenesis (select all that apply)?   A. Mutations in progenitor cells are more likely to develop a neoplastic state compared to mutations in stem cells   B. Driver mutations give a cell clone a proliferative advanage   C. The rate of mutation /genetic change is constant during tumor progression   D. Nutrition/diet may effect rate of tumorigenesis   E. All cells within a tumor are biologically equivalent and equally capable of high levels proliferation

Explain the difference between proto-oncogene and tumor suppressor mutations in terms of its potential to cause cancer.

determine which statements is either tumor supressor or proto oncogene