Tumor progression

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression (pronunciation: /ˈtjuːmər prəˈɡrɛʃən/) is a complex process in oncology that involves the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells, followed by the growth and spread of these cells within the body.

Etymology

The term 'tumor' originates from the Latin word 'tumere', meaning 'to swell', and 'progression' is derived from the Latin 'progressio', meaning 'an advance'.

Definition

Tumor progression refers to the stages through which a tumor evolves from a benign or pre-malignant lesion to a fully invasive and potentially metastatic cancer. This process is characterized by changes in the genetic and epigenetic makeup of the cells, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and division.

Stages of Tumor Progression

Tumor progression typically involves three main stages:

Initiation: This is the first stage where a normal cell undergoes a genetic mutation that causes it to become a cancer cell.
Promotion: In this stage, the mutated cell begins to divide and grow in an uncontrolled manner, leading to the formation of a tumor.
Progression: This is the final stage where the tumor becomes aggressive and starts to invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body (metastasis).

Related Terms

Carcinogenesis: The process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells.
Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells from the place where they first formed to another part of the body.
Oncogene: A gene that has the potential to cause cancer. In tumor cells, these genes are often mutated or expressed at high levels.
Tumor suppressor gene: A gene that protects a cell from one step on the path to cancer. When this gene mutates to cause a loss or reduction in its function, the cell can progress to cancer.