What turns normal cells into cancer cells?
Cancer cells have gene mutations that turn the cell from a normal cell into a cancer cell. These gene mutations may be inherited, develop over time as we get older and genes wear out, or develop if we are around something that damages our genes, like cigarette smoke, alcohol or ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
Are transformed cells cancer cells?
The study of oncogenesis at a molecular level was greatly facilitated after it became possible to reproduce those genetic changes in cultured cells that led to a phenotypic behavior resembling cancer—this process is known as cell transformation.
What is cancer caused by cells?
Cancer is a disease caused when cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. Cancer is caused by changes to DNA. Most cancer-causing DNA changes occur in sections of DNA called genes. These changes are also called genetic changes.
How can you tell cancer cells from normal cells?
In contrast to normal cells, cancer cells often exhibit much more variability in cell size—some are larger than normal and some are smaller than normal. In addition, cancer cells often have an abnormal shape, both of the cell, and of the nucleus (the “brain” of the cell.)
What causes the transformation of normal cells into cancerous cells?
Transformation of normal cells into cancerous neoplastic cells may be induced by physical, chemical or biological agents. These agents are called carcinogens. Ionizing radiations like X-rays and gamma rays and non-ionizing radiations like UV cause DNA damage leading to neoplastic transformation.
How are oncogenes related to the development of cancer?
Cancer-promoting oncogenes are often activated in cancer cells, giving those cells abnormal properties. The products of these genes result in uncontrolled cell growth and division, protection against programmed cell death, loss of respect for normal tissue boundaries, and the ability to become established in diverse tissue environments.
How are growth factors related to the development of cancer?
The growth factor requirements of many tumor cells are reduced compared to their normal counterparts, contributing to the unregulated proliferation of tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo. In some cases, cancer cells produce growth factors that stimulate their own proliferation (Figure 15.9).
What causes mutations in the DNA that cause cancer?
Nearly all cancers are caused by mutations in the DNA of abnormal cells. These mutations may be due to the effects of carcinogens, cancer-causing agents such as tobacco smoke, radiation, chemicals, or infectious agents.
Transformation of normal cells into cancerous neoplastic cells may be induced by physical, chemical or biological agents. These agents are called carcinogens. Ionizing radiations like X-rays and gamma rays and non-ionizing radiations like UV cause DNA damage leading to neoplastic transformation.
Cancer-promoting oncogenes are often activated in cancer cells, giving those cells abnormal properties. The products of these genes result in uncontrolled cell growth and division, protection against programmed cell death, loss of respect for normal tissue boundaries, and the ability to become established in diverse tissue environments.
The growth factor requirements of many tumor cells are reduced compared to their normal counterparts, contributing to the unregulated proliferation of tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo. In some cases, cancer cells produce growth factors that stimulate their own proliferation (Figure 15.9).
What are the most common causes of cancer?
• The causes of cancer are many and varied, and include genetic predisposition, environmental influences, infectious agents and ageing. These transform normal cells into cancerous ones by derailing a wide spectrum of regulatory and downstream effector pathways.