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# Uncontrolled Cell Growth Uncontrolled cell growth, besides "natural" causes, can also be influenced by lifestyle. Smoking (lung cancer), sun exposure without sunscreen (skin cancer), and excessive alcohol consumption (esophageal cancer) are examples. If there is damage to the genes involved in c...

# Uncontrolled Cell Growth Uncontrolled cell growth, besides "natural" causes, can also be influenced by lifestyle. Smoking (lung cancer), sun exposure without sunscreen (skin cancer), and excessive alcohol consumption (esophageal cancer) are examples. If there is damage to the genes involved in cell division, uncontrolled cell growth can lead to a tumor. The damage varies with the growth rate and location of the tumor; a wart causes little health damage, but a brain tumor can cause significant health damage. Cancer is a malignant tumor in which cells detach and spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system throughout the body. They can develop into secondary tumors in other parts of the body. This is called metastasis. A doctor (oncologist) usually combines multiple treatment approaches: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. During surgery, the tumor is removed from the body. Radiation therapy uses radioactive sources to destroy tumor cells. Chemotherapy prevents cancer cell division using cytostatic drugs. Other agents prevent tumor blood vessel growth. The tumor dies without oxygen and glucose. A disadvantage of chemotherapy is that it affects not only cancer cells but also healthy cells which has side effects such as hair loss and nausea. Immunotherapy stimulates the immune system to kill cancer cells.