Cancer: Characteristics and Origins

The formation of an abnormal mass of cells that grow and divide uncontrollably, often independently of the body's normal controls.

Tumour markers are substances found in blood, urine, or tissue that indicate the presence of cancer. They can help diagnose, stage, monitor, and guide treatment.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a tumor marker primarily associated with liver and testicular cancers.

A lack of differentiation in neoplastic cells, characterized by a mass of primitive, varied cells.

Liquid biopsy involves analyzing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the blood to detect and monitor cancer.

An increase in the number of cells within an organ or tissue, usually in response to a specific stimulus. It can be normal or abnormal.

A change from one differentiated cell type to another mature, differentiated cell type.

Targeted cancer therapies work by specifically targeting molecules involved in tumor growth and progression, effectively blocking the cancer's ability to grow and spread.

An abnormality in the development of cells, characterized by changes in size, shape, and organization of adult cells.

Proton therapy uses protons instead of X-rays to deliver radiation to cancer cells. This method offers a more targeted and precise treatment option.

Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that uses medications to destroy cancer cells throughout the body.

An increase in the size of a cell or organ due to an increase in the size of individual cells.

Common side effects of chemotherapy include frequent infections, diarrhea, nausea, hair loss, and anemia.

A type of dysplasia characterized by atypical moles that are larger, irregular, and uneven in color. It increases the risk of developing melanoma.

Cancer is a collection of diseases that affect the body's cells and tissues. It is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and the ability of cancer cells to invade and spread to other parts of the body.

The aggressiveness of a tumor, its likelihood to spread, patient mortality and morbidity, and the cure rate of treatment procedures are all factors considered when choosing a treatment plan.

Cancer cells become unresponsive to signals that normally control cell growth and division. They continue to grow and divide even when there are no growth signals present.

Cancer cells have a reduced ability to undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis). This allows them to survive longer than normal cells.

Normal cells divide a specific number of times before they stop. Cancer cells, however, can proliferate indefinitely. Telomerase, an enzyme, prevents the shortening of DNA ends (telomeres) during cell division, allowing indefinite replication.

Cancer cells can attract new blood vessels to grow towards them through a process called angiogenesis. This provides the cancer cells with the oxygen and nutrients they need for continued growth and spread.

Cancer cells break through normal tissue boundaries and invade surrounding areas. This facilitates easier spread.

Cancer cells can travel to distant parts of the body, survive in the new environment, and begin growing (metastasize).

Cancer cells don't need to be attached to any surface to grow, unlike normal cells which stop growing when they come in contact with other cells. This allows cancer cells to migrate and form new colonies.

Cancer cells produce their own growth factors, in contrast to normal cells which depend on external growth stimuli. This allows cancer cells to self-stimulate their growth.

The ends of chromosomes, called telomeres, shorten with each cell division. Telomerase, an enzyme, helps maintain telomeres lengths in cancer cells, allowing for unlimited replication.

Cancer cells secrete factors that promote blood vessel growth (angiogenic factors) and suppress blood vessel destruction (anti-angiogenic factors). This creates a constant blood supply and enables spread.

Cancer cells can break free from the primary tumor and invade surrounding tissue, including blood vessels and lymphatic systems. They then travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to distant sites where they establish new tumors.

Cancer cells can grow independently of a solid or liquid surface, which allows them to survive and spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

Normal cells exhibit contact inhibition, meaning they stop dividing when they come into contact with other cells. Cancer cells lose this ability and continue to divide even when they are packed tightly together.

Mutations in genes can alter the normal cell cycle and lead to uncontrolled cell growth. These mutations can be inherited, or acquired during a lifetime.

The p53 gene is a tumor suppressor gene that plays a crucial role in controlling cell growth and apoptosis. Mutations in p53 are common in cancer and can result in uncontrolled cell growth.

A genetic disorder caused by mutations in genes involved in DNA repair, particularly the XPA-XPG genes.

A translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, specifically a fusion of the ABL gene on chromosome 9 with the BCR gene on chromosome 22, resulting in a hybrid gene that promotes excessive granulocyte growth.

A type of cancer caused by abnormal growth of cells in the retina. It's often linked to mutations in the Rb gene.

A group of viruses that can cause cancer by interfering with host cell genes during their replication process. Examples include HPV, Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis B and C viruses.

The process of repairing DNA damage caused by UV radiation or other mutagenic agents. Involves several steps, including recognition, excision, synthesis, and ligation.

A type of cancer that develops in the esophagus, often linked to alcohol consumption. Males are at higher risk.

A syndrome characterized by a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia), adipose tissue wasting, systemic inflammation, and other metabolic abnormalities. It often occurs in cancer patients and can be caused by the tumor itself.

The process by which normal cells become cancerous through a series of genetic mutations and alterations in cellular behavior. It is often a multi-step process.

A term used to describe the factors that contribute to the development of cancer. These include both genetic predisposition and environmental factors.

The use of medical imaging techniques, such as CT scans, MRI, PET scans, and ultrasounds, to visualize internal structures and detect tumors or other abnormalities.

A type of tumor that is not cancerous and does not spread.

A type of tumor that is cancerous and spreads to other parts of the body.

A classification system used to characterize different types of cancer based on the cell or tissue of origin.

Cancer-related symptoms that are not directly caused by the tumor itself but rather due to the tumor's effects on other parts of the body.

Abnormal growth of cells in the pancreas that produce excessive levels of insulin, often leading to hypoglycemia.