Molecular Biology of Cancer BC.504

Cancer development takes months or years for DNA mutations to accumulate, leading to detectable cancer.

Multiple genetic and epigenetic changes occur in a normal cell's progression to a metastatic cancer cell.

Liver cell cancer (HCC) develops in four stages: Normal Liver, Chronic Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (with cirrhosis).

Hepatitis C, B, alcohol, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can initiate HCC progression.

A mutation in the APC tumor suppressor gene is often the first step in colorectal cancer.

Six characteristics common to all cancer types: growth signals, anti-growth resistance, apoptosis avoidance, limitless replication, sustained angiogenesis, invasion/metastasis.

Cancer development involves genetic mutations and epigenetic changes that are passed down through cell division.

Multiple genetic and epigenetic changes are involved in the development of cancer, not a single event.

Categorizing cancers based on the tissue of origin, for example, carcinomas originate from epithelial tissues

Cancer arising from epithelial cells (skin, lining of organs)

Cancer originating from connective tissues (bone, muscle)

Cancer affecting blood cells, usually in the bone marrow

A cancerous growth; potentially invasive and metastasizing type of cancer

Spread of cancer to distant parts of the body

Cancer arises from a single abnormal cell

Development of cancer

Cancer development requires multiple genetic changes in a cell

Mass of abnormal cells

Ten characteristics that define cancer cells, including sustaining proliferation, evading growth suppressors, resisting cell death, enabling immortality, inducing blood vessel growth, activating invasion, deregulating metabolism, avoiding immune destruction, unlocking plasticity, and epigenetic reprogramming.

Cancer cells continuously signal themselves to grow and divide, ignoring normal growth controls.

Cancer cells bypass natural brakes that normally stop uncontrolled cell growth.

Cancer cells avoid programmed cell death (apoptosis), which is a normal process to eliminate damaged cells.

Cancer cells circumvent normal limits on cell division, allowing them to replicate indefinitely.

Cancer cells stimulate the formation of new blood vessels to supply themselves with nutrients and oxygen.

Cancer cells break free from their original location and invade nearby tissues, then spread to distant organs.

Cancer cells alter their energy production and use nutrients differently, fueling their rapid growth.

Cancer cells evade the immune system, preventing detection and destruction by immune cells.

Factors within the body that increase cancer risk, including DNA replication errors, aging, and genetic predispositions.

Cancers arising from epithelial cells that line body cavities and organs, like skin, stomach lining, and glands.

Cancers originating from connective tissues that support and connect other tissues, including bones, cartilage, and tendons.

A type of cancer originating from epithelial cells.

A type of cancer originating from connective tissue, like bone or muscle.

A cancer that forms in glandular tissue, like the lining of the stomach, intestines, or breast.

A cancer that forms in the squamous cells of the skin or lining of the mouth, throat, or lungs.

A cancer that forms in the glial cells of the brain.

A type of cancer that originates from the cells of the lymphatic system, like the lymph nodes and spleen.

A type of cancer that starts in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow, leading to an overproduction of abnormal white blood cells.

A type of cancer that affects the plasma cells in the bone marrow, which produce antibodies.

A tumor that grows slowly, has distinct borders, and doesn't invade surrounding tissue or spread to other parts of the body.

A tumor that can grow quickly, has irregular borders, invades surrounding tissue, and can spread to other parts of the body through metastasis.