Cancer case study 13 questions
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cancer_case_.docx1. The following is the child's CT scan. Where is the abnormality located?
2. What test would usually be done to further evaluate a tumor?
What is the disadvantage of this test considering the location of the tumor?
3. What are the main differences between a benign and malignant tumor?
4. The biopsy shows cells with very large nuclei that have not retained the normal cell structure. What does this mean?
5. Genetic testing (blood test) is performed and the following is found: Deletion of a portion of the long arm of chromosome 13. Missing the Rb gene.
If the loss of the Rb gene contributes to the development of this type of cancer, do you think the Rb gene is a proto-oncogene or tumor suppressor gene? Why?
How does this mutation affect cell division in the retina?
6. Would this one mutation lead to cancer? Explain.
7. How could an individual so young develop cancer?
8. Why does cancer occur most often in older individuals?
9. In this picture, the tumor has spread to the iris (colored portion of the eye). What is this process called?
10.
If further neglected, the tumor would progress to this:
This photo is a bit gross (just so you know ahead of time)
Which is occurring, apoptosis or necrosis?
Why did this occur? (What process did not occur quickly enough during the development of this tumor?)
11. One suggested treatment for retinoblastoma is radiation.
"Though retinoblastoma has been cured by external beam irradiation, investigators have suggested that radiation may cause an increased risk of developing second cancers later in life."
Why would this treatment cause an increased cancer risk?
12. Chemotherapy is often used to treat cancer.
Typical side effects of chemotherapy include bone marrow suppression (anemia, low whie blood cell count, low platelet count) and disruption of healing.
Why do these side effects occur?
