ANSWERS

1. What is a tumour?
   An abnormal swelling of tissue that has no physiological use, and in which cell growth and mitosis is uncoordinated and exceeds that of the normal tissue cells.
2. What is the term used to describe a cancerous tumour?
   Neoplastic.
3. What is the term used to describe a non-cancerous tumour?
   Benign.
4. State 4 characteristics of benign tumours.
   • Usually slow growing (but not always).
   • Often discrete and encapsulated.
   • Often moveable relative to neighbouring tissues.
   • Do not metastasise to other organs.
5. State 4 characteristics of malignant tumours.
   • Often fast growing.
   • Often aggressive and irregular.
   • Locally invasive and not freely mobile.
   • May metastasise to other organs.
6. What is the name given to a benign tumour of adipose (fat) cells?
   Lipoma.
7. What are epulides?
   Benign tumours found primarily on the gum.
8. What is another name for a wart?
   Papilloma.
9. What skin tumour may be either malignant or benign?
   Melanoma.
10. A dog is brought to the surgery with a tumour that the veterinary surgeon suspects is a fibroma. Why is it sensible to biopsy such a mass?
    Fibromas are benign tumours of the skin, but it is often difficult to differentiate them from other malignant types of tumour.
11. What is the fixative of choice for most routine histopathology?
    10% Formol saline (see Part I - Anatomy & Physiology: Cells, Tissues & Organs).
12. An adenoma is a benign tumour of glandular tissue often affecting older dogs. Where is the most common site for such tumours?
    The anus.
13. Why should a dog be castrated at the same time as undergoing surgery to
    remove an anal adenoma?
    The growth of an anal adenoma is dependent upon the male sex hormones.
14. What is the most common site for metastases via the circulation?
    The lungs.
15. What is the difference between a carcinoma and a sarcoma?
    A carcinoma is a malignant tumour arising from the epithelial cells, whilst a sarcoma is a malignant tumour arising from the mesenchymal (mainly connective) tissues.
16. In what part of the body are squamous cell carcinomas most commonly found?
    The oral cavity.
17. In what part of the body are transitional cell carcinomas most commonly found?
    The urinary tract.
18. What is an adenocarcinoma?
    A malignant tumour of the glandular tissue.
19. Lymphosarcoma in cats is commonly associated with which disease?
    Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV).
20. What is an osteosarcoma?
    A malignant tumour of the osteoblasts.
21. Are mixed mammary tumours malignant or benign?
    Benign.
22. In bitches, which mammary glands are the most frequently affected by tumours?
    The 2 most caudal pairs.
23. What is the name of the procedure that involves the radical removal of a tumour along with a section of the mandible?
    Mandibulectomy.
24. What is the name of the procedure that involves the radical removal of a tumour along with a section of the maxilla?
    Maxillectomy.
25. What is the name that describes the non-invasive technique involving the sampling of cells of a tumour by use of a needle and suction device?
    Fine needle aspiration.
26. For what purpose is a Tru Cut needle employed?
    Performing a needle core biopsy; it consists of a central obturator which is notched, an outer sleeve or cannula and a handle. The obturator is inserted into the tumour tissue and the cannula advanced over the obturator in order to trap a small cylinder of tissue.
27. What is a punch biopsy?
    The collection of a small, circular area of superficial tissue by means of a specially designed tool that employs a sharp, circular blade.
28. What type of tissue is collected by means of a trephine biopsy?
    Bone.
29. What is the difference between an incisional and excisional biopsy?
    An incisional biopsy involves the removal of a small wedge of tissue, whilst an excisional biopsy involves the removal of all identifiable tumour tissue.
30. What is debulking?
    The removal of as much tumour tissue as possible in circumstances whereby complete excision is impractical.
31. What is the term that describes the use of drugs to kill tumour cells selectively?
    Chemotherapy (see Part I - Pharmacy & Dispensing for a section on cytotoxic drugs).
32. What is radiotherapy?
    The use of radiation to selectively kill tumour cells.
33. What is the term that describes the use of more than one method of treatment used on a single tumour?
    Combined/multi modality.
34. What is adjunctive therapy?
    Therapy used in the care of the cancer patient in addition to the direct treatment of the tumour itself. This may include the administration of analgesia and antibiotics, wound management and the provision of prescription diets.