CANCER

CANCER (Definition)

A condition in which there is uncontrolled growth of tissue leading to

malignant tumors is called Cancer.
Or Cancer is an uncontrolled division of cells resulting in the formation of
Tumour (masses of cells).
(Text) Cancer is an uncontrolled division of cells without differentiation. It
causes increase in the number of cells which invade and surround the adjacent
cells and tissues.

The Study of Cancer is called Oncology.

Normal cells show a property called Contact Inhibition by virtue of which

contact with other cells inhibits their uncontrolled growth. Cancer cells appears
to have lost this property.

Or Cancer cells loss the property of Contact inhibition.

(Contacting with neighbouring cells inhibits their division).

As a result of this, Cancerous cells just continue to divide giving rise to masses
of cells called tumours.

[When normal cells are introduced into a Petri dish at low numbers .The cells
begin to divide and proliferate .As the cells began to touch one another, they
slow the rate of division . This process is called Contact inhibition.
Contact inhibition assures that cells create only a layer only one cell thick ie
monolayer.

The behaviour of cancer cells is entirely different from normal cells. Cancer
cells continue to divide in an unregulated manner.
Carcinoma are tumours of epithelial cells ,example : Breast or Skin or Lung
cancer.

The Uncontrolled Cell growth and division which produce a tissue mass called
Tumour . On the basis of spread, tumours are of 2 types.
They are Benign tumour and Malignant tumour.
Benign tumour

Benign Tumour are non malignant tumours.

Such tumours grow slowly but later become quite large.
They remain restricted to the place of origin and do not spread to other areas
of the body. It may grow in size but it does not spread to other parts of the
body. It causes little damage.

Mostly tumours are of this type and do not give rise to cancer.
Example:Fibroids in the Uterus
Lipoma: This benign fatty tumor grows just below your skin.
Benign tumour- Lipoma
Benign tumour
LIPOMA TUMOUR
UTERINE FIBROIDS
(2)Malignant tumour

A Malignant primary tumour is more dangerous because it can grow quickly. It

may grow into or spread to other parts of the brain or to the spinal cord.
Malignant tumours can grow into nearby tissue, spread through the
bloodstream or lymph system, and spread through the body.
Malignant tumours tend to grow faster than benign tumours.

Cancers that can spread to the brain include lung cancer, breast cancer, bowel
cancer and melanoma skin cancer.

It begins as a small tumour growth at first, grows slowly and more rapidly later
on. The tumour ultimately spreads off from the original site and migrates
through blood to the other sites and they divide and redivides to form a
Secondary tumour .

Metastasis is the spread of cancer to other locations in the body.

Metastasis is common in the late stages of cancer and it can occur via the
blood or the lymphatic system or both.

Different types of Cancers tend to metastasize to particular organs, but overall

the most common places for metastases to occur are the lungs, liver, brain and
the bones.
Top Deadliest Cancers

Lung Cancer
Colorectal Cancer( A cancer of the Colon or Rectum)
Breast Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Lymphoma cancer – A cancer of the lymphatic system
Blood Cancer (leukemia)
Skin Cancer (Melanoma) – The most serious types of Skin cancer

The majority of cancers, some 90–95% of cases, are due to Genetic mutations
from environmental and lifestyle factors.

Causes of Cancer

Some Specific foods are linked to specific cancers. A high-salt diet is linked
to Gastric cancer. For example, Gastric cancer is more common in Japan due to
its high-salt diet. While Colon cancer is more common in the United States.

Oncoviruses (Viruses that can cause cancer) include Human Papillomavirus

(Cervical cancer).

Parasitic infections associated with cancer include Schistosoma haematobium

( Urinary Blood fluke )can cause cancer in urinary bladder.
Schistosoma haematobium( Urinary Blood fluke)
Radiation exposure such as Ultraviolet radiation and Radioactive material is a
risk factor for cancer.
Many Non-melanoma skin cancers are due to ultraviolet radiation, mostly from
sunlight.

The vast majority of cancers are Non-hereditary.

An Oncogene is a gene that has the potential to cause cancer.

Some Hormones play a role in the development of cancer by promoting cell
proliferation . For example, the daughters of women who have breast cancer
have significantly higher levels of estrogen and progesterone than the
daughters of women without breast cancer.
Similarly, men of African ancestry have significantly higher levels
of Testosterone than men of European ancestry and have a correspondingly
higher level of prostate cancer.
Characteristics of Cancer cells

The important properties of Cancer cells which distinguish them from normal
cells are the following:
(1)They show Uncontrolled mitotic divisions of cells
(2)Due to uncontrolled growth and division of cells, a Tumour (also called
Neoplasm which means new growth)
(3)They have the ability to detach from the tumours and move to distant sites
through body fluids and develop secondary tumours. This phenomenon is
called Metastasis.
(4) Cancer cells do not show Contact inhibition (contacting with neighbouring
cells inhibits their division).
(5)Cancer cells do not undergo differentiation.
The gene of cancer causing virus for transformation is Oncogene.

Metastasis can be defined as transfer or spread of cancer from one part of

body (primary tumour) to another part of the body (secondary tumour).
 CANCER

1. Define Carcinoma?[2013]

Answer

Carcinoma are tumours of epithelial cells ,example : Breast or Skin or Lung

cancer .

2.Name the gene of a cancer causing virus responsible for transformation.

[2006]

Answer

The gene of cancer causing virus for transformation is Oncogene.

3. Define Metastasis. Suggest three early diagnostic symptoms or danger

signals of cancer .

Answer

Metastasis can be defined as transfer or spread of cancer from one part of

body (primary tumour) to another part of the body (secondary tumour).
4.Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases of humans.
Explain ‘Contact inhibition’ and’ Metastasis’ with respect to the disease.[4]