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http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/WhoAmI/FindOutMore/Yourbody/Whatiscanc
er/Whathappensincancer/Howdohealthycellsbecomecancerous
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/cancer-oncology
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/how-
cancer-starts/cancer-cells
http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/cell-division-and-cancer-
14046590
Introduction:
Normally, human cells grow and divide to form new cells as the
body needs them. When cells grow old or become damaged, they die,
and new cells take their place. Normal body cells have a number
of important features. They can reproduce themselves only when
and where they are needed, they stick together in the right place
in the body, they self -destruct if they are damaged or too old.
Cancer cells are different to normal cells in various ways. One
important difference is that cancer cells are less specialized
than normal cells. That is, whereas normal cells mature into very
distinct cell types with specific functions, cancer cells do not.
This is one reason that, unlike normal cells, cancer cells
continue to divide without stopping.
Body
Cancer cells can lose the molecules on their surface that keep
normal cells in the right place. So they can become detached from
their neighbours.
Types of Cancer
There are more than 100 types of cancer. Types of cancer are
usually named for the organs or tissues where the cancers form.
For example, lung cancer starts in cells of the lung, and brain
cancer starts in cells of the brain. Cancers also may be
described by the type of cell that formed them, such as an
epithelial cell or a squamous cell.
Carcinoma
Carcinomas are the most common type of cancer. They are formed by
epithelial cells, which are the cells that cover the inside and
outside surfaces of the body. There are many types of epithelial
cells, which often have a column-like shape when viewed under a
microscope.
Multiple Myeloma
Melanoma
Germ cell tumors are a type of tumor that begins in the cells
that give rise to sperm or eggs. These tumors can occur almost
anywhere in the body and can be either benign or malignant.
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Carcinoid Tumors
Adeno- = gland
Chondro- = cartilage
Hepato- = liver
Lipo- = fat
Myo- = muscle
Osteo- = bone
Uro- = bladder
Retino- = eye
Neuro- = brain
After a diagnosis is made, doctors find out how far the cancer
has spread and determine the stage of the cancer. The stage
determines which choices will be available for treatment and
informs prognoses. The most common cancer staging method is
called the TNM system. T (1-4) indicates the size and direct
extent of the primary tumor, N (0-3) indicates the degree to
which the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, and M (0-1)
indicates whether the cancer has metastasized to other organs in
the body. A small tumor that has not spread to lymph nodes or
distant organs may be staged as (T1, N0, M0), for example.
Cancer symptoms are quite varied and depend on where the cancer
is located, where it has spread, and how big the tumor is. Some
cancers can be felt or seen through the skin – a lump on the
breast or testicle can be an indicator of cancer in those
locations. Skin cancer (melanoma) is often noted by a change in a
wart or mole on the skin. Some oral cancers present white patches
inside the mouth or white spots on the tongue.
As cancer cells use the body’s energy and interfere with normal
hormone function, it is possible to present symptoms such as
fever, fatigue, excessive sweating, anemia, and unexplained
weight loss. However, these symptoms are common in several other
maladies as well. For example, coughing and hoarseness can point
to lung or throat cancer as well as several other conditions.
6) Surgery
2) Radiation
3) Chemotherapy
4) Immunotherapy
5) Hormone therapy
6) Gene therapy
Conclusion
Comprehensive
Research Paper on
Cancer Cells