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LSB282 Workshop 6: Cancer

Activity 1: Case on Frank.

Frank is a 52 year old who experienced abdominal pain for some time, and has just been diagnosed
with colorectal cancer. He is devastated to find out this news, as he thought he was still a bit young
to be getting that sort of illness. One of his friends had a heart attack around two years ago, and at
that time Frank decided that it was time for him to adopt a very healthy diet (particularly eating a lot
more vegetables than he used to and cutting back on fat). When he was younger, he was not really
concerned about making healthy food choices, as he didnt gain weight even when he ate junk food.
He frequently bought his breakfast/lunch during his younger years including bacon and egg rolls,
burgers, and hot chips (fries). Franks parents have not had colorectal cancer. He has a brother who
has always been in to eating healthy and being fit, who has not experienced any health issues, and
no colorectal cancer.

Frank has now started on chemotherapy, and is scheduled to have surgery next week. A CT scan has
not identified any spread of cancer.

Question 1. Compare the main features of benign tumours and malignant cancers.

Question 2. Compare and contrast the general aspects of his diet in the last two years, with his diet
prior to that. Focus particularly on foods relevant to cancer prevention and cancer promotion. Has
his change in his diet been of any use?

Question 3. Describe how proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes are altered in the
development of cancer. Include the consequences of these mutations.

Question 4. Discuss how Frank may have developed cancer, even though no one else in the family
does. Is it safe for Franks brother to think that he wont get colorectal cancer? Discuss your
reasons.

Question 5. Frank currently has no evidence of his cancer having spread to other organs. If his
surgery is considered successful in removing all of the cancerous cells from the large intestine, are
there any concerns about him developing cancer for him in the future? Provide reasons for your
answer, and include information on future cancer in the colorectum and other organs.
Activity 2: Case on John Smith, Day 5

Over the last couple of days, John has commented to you a couple of times that hes annoyed that
since hes been in hospital, it is no longer easy for him to have a cigarette whenever he feels like it.
He has been a smoker for many years, and it is appropriate to investigate the possibility of lung
cancer. Johns chest X-ray reveals a mass growing in his lungs, which is confirmed to be cancer. He
immediately starts on chemotherapy.

1. Seeing as John already has lung cancer, is there any benefit in him quitting smoking now?

2. After being on chemotherapy, it is anticipated that John will start to lose his appetite. Describe
the main pathophysiological reasons why he might not feel like eating (ie focus on the effects of
chemotherapy directly on the body, rather than his emotional response to his disease).

3. One of the potential side effects of chemotherapy that John may experience is anaemia. Explain
how chemotherapy can lead to anaemia. Include information that links anaemia with his left-sided
heart failure.

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