PATH 3610 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Tumor Suppressor Gene, Squamous Metaplasia, Stratified Squamous Epithelium

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Pathology
• Course: PATH 3610
• Professor: Andrew Vince

Document Summary

Everyone has heard of cancer, and is aware of its often devastating effects. The term neoplasia refers to an abnormality in cellular differentiation, maturation and control of growth it can be considered excessive and disorganized cell or tissue growth which is unresponsive to normal growth control mechanisms. The result of these abnormalities is the development of a tumour or neoplasm, a mass of abnormal tissue. Before we can really discuss abnormalities in cell differentiation, maturation and control of growth, we should briefly consider normal cell growth and maturation. In addition, there are a number of disturbances of growth, differentiation and maturation which need to be recognized. These are not neoplastic, though one of them, dysplasia, is recognized as a premalignant lesion. In the unit on chronic inflammation and repair, we described permanent, stable and labile cell types. It is obvious that many of the body"s cells retain the ability to grow, divide and differentiate throughout life.