Neoplasia 2024

Interactive Flowchart for Neoplasia: Exploring Sarcomas and Carcinomas - Team 31

Media Type: Flowchart

Summary

team_31_image.jpgIn our PULSE assignment we take a look at sarcoma and carcinomas, which are two of the most prominent classifications of malignant tumours. Cancers are one of the most common diseases, which makes it a topic that is familiar to audiences. By looking at things like appearance, risk factors, treatment, and sites of development of specific cancers, we use a familiar topic to most audiences and show how we typically would study the disease in the context of a pathology course. We presented our information in an interactive flowchart, which allows our audience to themselves actively interact with the information we present in a dynamic, memorable way. Hopefully, this will lead to greater interest and awareness of the study of pathology among high school/university students interested in studying diseases. Carcinomas are malignant cancers that arise as epithelial cells. Malignant tumours are tumours that are categorised by their uncontrolled proliferation and invasiveness into surrounding cells. Epithelial cells line tissue and organs in the body, and since they are so prevalent on most cell types in the body, carcinoma are the most common classification of malignant tumours. Two major types of carcinomas are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma affects squamous cells, which are flat cells that line tissue and mucus membranes. Adenocarcinoma affects glandular cells, which secrete fluids such as mucus, enzymes, or hormones. Sarcomas are malignant cancers that arise in cells of connective tissues in the body, such as bones, muscles, tendons, cartilage, nerves, fat, and blood vessels. They are the second most common classification of malignant tumours due to the prevalence of connective tissues around the body. Two major types of sarcoma include osteosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma.  steosarcoma are malignant tumours that affect bones. Leiomyosarcoma are malignant tumours that affect smooth muscle cells all over the body.

Keywords: Cancer, Carcinoma, Sarcoma, Flowchart

Unraveling Neoplasia: Growth, Diagnosis, and Treatments - Team 33

Media Type: Infographic

Summary

team_33_image.jpgOur PULSE experiential assignment focuses on neoplasms. Neoplasia was chosen as it is a fundamental concept throughout the course. A firm understanding of neoplasia will help students more confidently approach subsequent topics. This information was presented through an interactive infographic that allows readers to learn the material covered in class while providing helpful mnemonics, study tips and practice questions to test their understanding. Pathology slides from open databases were used to illustrate how tumors look under the microscope. The interactive component and the use of visuals allows for a more engaging experience to teach a topic that can be confusing given its terminology-dense information.

Neoplasia can be defined as new and uncontrolled cell growth. There are two types of neoplasia: benign and malignant. Malignant neoplasia can invade the tissues around it and move away from its starting point to different organs in the body. The infographic discusses examples of both types of neoplasia and explains the reasoning behind their names. We also discuss the process of determining the type of cancer a patient has, also called a diagnosis. In neoplasia, we use grading to refer to the mitotic index (i.e., how much growth has occurred) and cellular differentiation (i.e., how much the tumor cells have changed compared to the original normal cell type).

The project also explored a range of treatments that combat cancer. These approaches include surgical intervention for tumor removal, the administration of chemotherapy drugs, and the application of radiation therapy. Furthermore, we explore various diagnostic methodologies, spanning commonly used imaging techniques such as MRI, CT, and PET scans, alongside more invasive procedures like tissue biopsies and blood tests for tumor markers. Additionally, the infographic comprehensively covers factors that may predispose individuals to developing cancer, including geographic influences, environmental triggers such as smoking, advancing age, and genetic predispositions.

Keywords: Neoplasm, Diagnosis, Treatments, Predisposition, Malignant, Benign