What is Cancer?
Overview |
Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. Cancer can start almost anywhere in the human body, which is made up of trillions of cells.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally with lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer being the most common types of cancer in men, while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the most common among women. |
Uncontrolled growth
Do not respond to signals from other cells Cells are neither repaired or replaced Can travel solo and throughout the body Can "hide" and grow uninterrupted Blood vessels grow regardless, constantly "feeding" a tumor |
Stop when there's enough
Respond to signals from other cells Aged/damaged cells are repaired or replaced Stay together in assigned area Can be targeted and eliminated Blood vessels grow to feed normal growth and aid in repairs |
What is Cancer?
Cancer Cell StructureCancerous cells are characterized by a large nucleus, having an irregular size and shape, the nucleoli are prominent, the cytoplasm is scarce and intensely colored or, on the contrary, is pale. Cancer cells don't stop growing and dividing when there are enough of them, resulting in a growing tumor.
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