General Pathology and Physiopathology

Oncology
In the context of growth-related processes, the student must know the characteristics that distinguish non-neoplastic growth (reparative processes, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, regeneration) from neoplastic growth. Define metaplasias and the main precancerous states.
Understand the differential characteristics of benign and malignant tumors, know the classification of tumors.
The student must learn to consider tumors as a heterogeneous group of diseases having nonetheless one common fundamental characteristic: the progressive acquisition (through DNA mutations) by tumor cells of profitable characteristics that allow their growth, immortalization, invasiveness, etc. Consequently,
Explain the loss of cell cycle control in tumors.
Understand the concept of monoclonality and polyclonality of tumors, neoplastic progression and genetic instability of neoplastic cells
Be acquainted with the oncogenes:
a) activation mechanisms
b) biological activity of protein products
Have knowledge of tumor suppressor genes:
a) tumor suppressors and cell cycle
b) tumor suppressors and apoptosis
c) interaction between oncogenes and tumor suppressors
d) "caretaker" and "gate keeper" genes
Consider the etiology of tumors:
a) chemical carcinogenesis: chemicals as mutagenic and carcinogenic agents
b) physical carcinogenesis: ionizing radiation and UV radiation
c) viral carcinogenesis: DNA and RNA viruses
d) epigenetics
f) hereditary tumors
d) correlation between inflammation/fibrosis and tumor
Illustrate the formation of stroma in tumors and the mechanisms of angiogenesis (tumor microenvironment).
Define the molecular and genetic aspects of invasiveness and metastases.
Be acquainted with the relationship between tumors and hormones.
Define the relationship between immunity and cancer.
Learn about neoplastic cachexia and paraneoplastic syndromes.
Have knowledge of tumor markers, their meaning and their use.
Learn about nutrition and cancer

Pathophysiology
The student must be familiar with the physiopathology topics already included among those of the General Pathology listed above (e.g. fever in the context of systemic inflammation manifestations), and also have knowledge of the following topics:
- Anemias
- Hypertension
- Shock
- Thrombosis
- Atherosclerosis
- Diabetes
- Gout
- Obesity and Metabolic syndrome
- Pathophysiology of the thyroid gland
- Aging
- Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
- Pathogenesis of Malabsorption and Celiac disease
Innovative Teaching
Scientific articles (Reviews) on topics of pathophysiology and/or immunology will be offered to students for individual or group study. At the end of the semester the students will be asked to briefly explain the topics studied with the help of a ppt presentation.