Cancer cells
Cancer Cells
Cancer cells (/ˈkænsər sɛlz/), derived from the Latin cancer meaning "crab" and cella meaning "small room", are cells that grow and divide at an unregulated, quickened pace. They can form tumors, invade nearby parts of the body and spread to other organs, a process called metastasis.
Characteristics
Cancer cells have distinctive characteristics that include uncontrolled growth, the ability to invade other tissues and organs (metastasis), and evasion of normal cell death (apoptosis). They also show genetic instability, leading to high mutation rates and chromosomal instability.
Formation
Cancer cells form when the body's normal control mechanisms stop working. Old cells do not die and instead form a mass of tissue called a tumor. Not all tumors are cancerous; benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body and are not life-threatening. Malignant tumors, however, can invade nearby tissues and spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body.
Types
There are over 100 types of cancer, and each is classified by the type of cell that is initially affected. This includes carcinoma, sarcoma, lymphoma, leukemia, melanoma, and brain and spinal cord tumors.
Treatment
Treatment options for cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, stem cell transplant, and precision medicine. The choice of treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer, possible side effects, and the patient's overall health.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cancer cells
- Wikipedia's article - Cancer cells
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