Cancer cells

Definition

Cancer cells are abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and can invade surrounding tissues, often forming tumors. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells can bypass the body's regulatory mechanisms that usually limit cell growth and promote apoptosis, leading to the development of cancer. Their characteristics include genetic mutations, changes in cell signaling pathways, and the ability to metastasize, which contributes to the progression of cancer in the body.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cancer cells can divide indefinitely, unlike normal cells that have a limited number of divisions due to telomere shortening.
2. These cells often exhibit changes in their metabolism, known as the Warburg effect, where they rely on glycolysis for energy production even in the presence of oxygen.
3. Cancer cells can produce enzymes and factors that promote angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, allowing them to secure a blood supply for growth.
4. The genetic mutations that lead to cancer can be inherited or acquired through environmental exposures such as tobacco smoke, radiation, and certain viruses.
5. In addition to uncontrolled growth, cancer cells can manipulate their microenvironment, suppressing immune responses and promoting tumor survival.

Review Questions

• How do cancer cells differ from normal cells in terms of growth and division?
  • Cancer cells differ from normal cells primarily in their ability to grow and divide uncontrollably. Normal cells have mechanisms like contact inhibition and programmed cell death that prevent excessive proliferation. In contrast, cancer cells bypass these regulatory mechanisms due to genetic mutations, leading them to divide indefinitely and invade surrounding tissues. This uncontrolled growth is a hallmark of cancer.
• Discuss the role of genetic mutations in the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells.
  • Genetic mutations play a critical role in transforming normal cells into cancerous ones by disrupting normal cellular functions. These mutations can affect oncogenes, which promote cell division, and tumor suppressor genes, which inhibit it. When mutations occur in these critical areas, they can lead to uncontrolled growth and survival of abnormal cells, enabling tumor formation and progression toward malignancy.
• Evaluate the implications of metastasis in cancer treatment strategies and patient outcomes.
  • Metastasis significantly complicates cancer treatment strategies and affects patient outcomes. When cancer cells spread to distant sites in the body, they can establish secondary tumors that are more difficult to treat than localized cancers. This widespread presence can lead to increased morbidity and mortality rates. Effective treatment often requires systemic therapies rather than localized approaches, underscoring the need for early detection and innovative therapeutic strategies that target metastatic behavior.

Related terms

tumor:

A mass of tissue that forms when cells divide uncontrollably; tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

metastasis:

The process by which cancer cells spread from the original site to other parts of the body, establishing secondary tumors.

apoptosis:

The programmed cell death that occurs in normal cells to eliminate damaged or unnecessary cells; cancer cells often evade this process.