Question 1

Which of the following best distinguishes a malignant tumor from a benign tumor?

Accepted Answer

Malignant tumors can invade surrounding tissues and metastasize to distant sites, while benign tumors remain localized and do not invade other tissues.

Question 2

Why do many cancers share similar characteristics with embryonic development?

Accepted Answer

Both processes involve rapid cell division, migration, and the ability to form new blood vessels (angiogenesis).

Question 3

A patient is diagnosed with a tumor that has not invaded nearby tissues and has not spread to other parts of the body. Which term best describes this tumor?

Accepted Answer

Benign

Question 4

Which of the following gene mutations is most likely to promote cancer development?

Accepted Answer

A loss-of-function mutation in a tumor suppressor gene

Question 5

A new drug is developed that inhibits angiogenesis in tumors. What is the most likely effect of this drug on cancer progression?

Accepted Answer

It will limit tumor growth by preventing the formation of new blood vessels needed to supply nutrients.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the role of proto-oncogenes in normal cells?

Accepted Answer

They encode proteins that promote normal cell growth and division.

Question 7

A patient with cancer is treated with a drug that accelerates the activity of DNA repair genes. What is the most likely outcome of this treatment?

Accepted Answer

It may help prevent the accumulation of mutations in cancer cells, potentially slowing cancer progression.

Question 8

Which of the following is a major rationale for using immunotherapy to treat cancer?

Accepted Answer

It stimulates the patient's immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Question 9

A mutation causes a proto-oncogene to become an oncogene. What is the most likely effect of this mutation?

Accepted Answer

It will cause uncontrolled cell division, contributing to cancer development.

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why surgery is often used as a first-line treatment for localized cancers?

Accepted Answer

Surgery can physically remove the tumor before it has a chance to invade other tissues or metastasize.

Question 11

A patient’s cancer has spread to multiple organs. Which term best describes this process?

Accepted Answer

Metastasis

Question 12

Which of the following scenarios is most likely to increase a person’s risk of developing cancer?

Accepted Answer

A mutation that inactivates a DNA repair gene

Question 13

A new chemotherapy drug works by targeting rapidly dividing cells. Which of the following is a likely side effect of this treatment?

Accepted Answer

Loss of hair due to the destruction of rapidly dividing hair follicle cells

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the function of tumor suppressor genes?

Accepted Answer

They encode proteins that inhibit cell division or promote apoptosis, preventing tumor formation.

Question 15

A researcher discovers a drug that accelerates cell division in all tissues. What is the most likely effect of this drug on cancer risk?

Accepted Answer

It will increase cancer risk by promoting uncontrolled cell proliferation.

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why cancer cells often require increased angiogenesis?

Accepted Answer

Rapidly growing tumors need additional blood supply to provide oxygen and nutrients.

Question 17

A patient is given a drug that specifically inhibits the function of oncogenes. What is the most likely effect of this drug?

Accepted Answer

It will slow down or stop the uncontrolled cell division characteristic of cancer.

Question 18

Which of the following is a key difference between chemotherapy and immunotherapy in cancer treatment?

Accepted Answer

Chemotherapy targets all rapidly dividing cells, while immunotherapy specifically enhances the immune system's ability to target cancer cells.

Question 19

A patient with a family history of cancer is found to have inherited a defective copy of a tumor suppressor gene. Which of the following best explains their increased cancer risk?

Accepted Answer

With only one functional copy, a single additional mutation can eliminate tumor suppression, allowing uncontrolled cell growth.

Question 20

A cancer cell is found to have a mutation that increases the activity of a DNA repair gene. What is the most likely effect of this mutation on the cancer cell?

Accepted Answer

It may slow the accumulation of additional mutations, potentially slowing cancer progression.

Cancer: Biological Basis, Characteristics, and Treatments

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