Cancer cell

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Cancer cell

A Cancer cell is a cell that grows out of control. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells ignore signals to stop dividing, to specialize, or to die and be shed. Growing in an uncontrolled manner and unable to recognize its own natural boundary, the cancer cells may spread to areas of the body where they do not belong.

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈkænsər sɛl/

Etymology

The term "cancer" comes from the Latin cancer meaning "crab" or "creeping ulcer". The term was applied to malignant tumors because the swollen veins around the tumor looked like a crab. The term "cell" comes from the Latin cella meaning "small room".

Related terms

  • Oncology: The study of cancer.
  • Tumor: An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should.
  • Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells from the place where they first formed to another part of the body.
  • Carcinoma: A type of cancer that starts in cells that make up the skin or the tissue lining organs, such as the liver or kidneys.
  • Leukemia: A type of cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue, such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood.
  • Lymphoma: A type of cancer that begins in lymphocytes (T cells or B cells). These are disease-fighting white blood cells that are part of the immune system.
  • Sarcoma: A type of cancer that begins in the bones and in the soft (also called connective) tissues (fat, muscle, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, etc.).

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