BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

Study of cancer.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I undertook this Project work, as part of my Biology class 12 subject. I have tried
to apply the best of knowledge and experience, gained during the study and class
work experience. Making a project requires a systematic study, insight vision and
professional approach during the design and development. Moreover, the
developer always feels the need, the help and good wishes of the people near
you, who have considerable experience and idea.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to my teacher _________,

I express my deep sense of gratitude to the luminary Principal __________and
Head of Section _________for their co-ordination in extending every possible
support.
I would like to take the opportunity to extend my sincere thank and gratitude to
my parents for being a source of inspiration and providing time and freedom to
develop this project.

Apart from the efforts of me, the success of any project depends largely on the
encouragement and guidelines of many others. I take this opportunity to express
my gratitude to the people who have been instrumental in the successful
completion of the project.
 INDEX
S.NO CONTENTS PAGE NO

1. Introduction. 1

2. About human cancer cell. 2

3. Difference between normal cell and cancer cell. 3

4. How does cancer cell activate? 4

5. Different types of cancer. 5

6. Signs and symptoms. 6

7. Causes of cancer. 7

8. Prevention. 8

9. Cancer detection and diagnosis. 8

10. Treatment of cancer. 9

11. Bibliography. 10
 INTRODUCTION
Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases of human beings and is a major cause
of death all over the globe. More than a million Indians suffer from cancer and a
large number of them die from it annually. The mechanisms that underlie
development of cancer or oncogenic transformation of cells. Its treatment and
control have been some of the most intense areas of research in biology and
medicine.

There were 1.5 million new cases of cancer occurring in the United States, and
over 570,000 deaths because of it not including basal and squamous skin cancers
which are not reported but could add another two million cases per year (ACS,
2010). However, it is a misconception to think that all forms of cancer are
untreatable and deadly. The truth of the matter is that there are multiple types of
cancer, many of which can today be effectively treated so as to eliminate, reduce
or slow the impact of the disease on patients' lives. While a diagnosis of cancer
may still leave patients feeling helpless and out of control, in many cases today
there is cause for hope rather than hopelessness.

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 HUMAN CANCER CELL
Cancer is a disease involving abnormal cell growth with a potential to invade to
other parts of the body. In contrast benign tumors do not spread to other parts of
the body.

In our body, cell growth and differentiation is highly controlled and requlated.In
cancer cells, there is a breakdown of these regulatory mechanisms. Normal cells
show a property called contact inhibition by virtue of which contact with other
cells inhibits their uncontrolled growth. Cancer cells appear to have lost this
property. As a result of this, cancerous Tumors are of two types: benign and
malignant. Benign tumors normally cells just continue to divide giving rise to
masses of cells called tumors. Of the body and cause little damage. The malignant
tumors remain confined to their original location and do not spread to other parts
on other hand are a mass of proliferating cells called neoplastic or tumor cells.
These cells grow very rapidly. Invading and damaging the surrounding normal
tissues. As these cells actively divide and grow they also starve the normal cells by
competing for vital nutrients.

Cells sloughed from such tumors reach distant sites through blood, and wherever
they get lodged in the body, they start a new tumor there. This property called
metastasis is the most feared property of malignant tumors.

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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NORMAL CELL AND CANCER
CELL

NORMAL CELL CANCER CELL

Normal cells show the Cancerous cells lack the property of contact
property of contact inhibition. inhibition. Therefore, they continue to divide,
Therefore, when these cells thereby forming a mass of cells or tumor.
come into contact with other
cells, they stop dividing.
They undergo differentiation They do not undergo differentiation.
after attaining a specific
growth.
These cells remain confined at These cells do not remain confined at a
a particular location. particular location. They move into neighboring
tissues and disturb its function.
Cell reproduction is needed to These cells may have gene mutations or
replenish the cell population chromosome mutations that affect the
that ages or becomes reproductive properties the cells. They don’t
damaged or destroyed. experience biological aging and maintain their
Normal cells reproduce ability to replicate and grow.
properly.

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 HOW DOES CANCR CELL ACTIVATE?
It is well known that cancer is preceded by damaged DNA. Because DNA is
encoded with the instructions for cell behavior, damaged DNA can alter cell
processes including those that regulate growth and division. This is supported by
the fact that tissues which have a high cell-division rate, such as bone and lymph,
are the most common sites for cancer.

Some genes, encoded on DNA, act as a switch that can be turned on or off
depending on cell needs. Free radicals have the ability to break DNA strands
which can result in some genes being permanently switched on; such is the case
with cancerous cell growth. Although it is often taught that the DNA mutations
that lead to cancer happen at random, research suggests there are epigenetic
triggers that may increase prevalence of DNA damage

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 DIFFERENT TYPES OF CANCER
Bladder Cancer
Breast Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Lung Cancer
Lymphoma- Non Hodge skin
Melanoma
Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Thyroid Cancer
Uterine Cancer
Brain Cancer

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 Signs and Symptoms
It produces no symptoms at the beginning of cancer, the actual symptoms starts
when there is a mass growth or Ulcerates. People may become anxious or
depressed post-diagnosis. The risk of suicide in people with cancer is
approximately double.

Mass effects from lung cancer can block the bronchus resulting in cough or
Pneumonia; Esophageal Cancer can cause narrowing of the Esophagus, making it
difficult or painful to swallow; and Colorectal Cancer may lead to narrowing or
blockages in the Bowel, affecting bowel habits. Masses in breasts or testicles may
produce observable lumps. Ulceration can cause bleeding that, if it occurs in the
lung, will lead to coughing up blood, in the bowels to anemia or rectal bleeding, in
the bladder to blood in the urine and in the uterus to vaginal bleeding.

These are some local symptoms which can show up the growth of cancer cells:

 Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain.

 Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkening or redness of the skin,
 Sores that won't heal, or changes to existing moles.
 Changes in bowel or bladder habits.
 Persistent cough or trouble breathing.

Ulcerates: Sore on the skin or a mucous membrane accompanied by

disintegration of tissue. Results in complete loss of epidermis.

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 CAUSES OF CANCER
 Tobacco use is the cause of about 33% of cancer deaths.
 Another 10% is due to obesity, poor diet, lack of physical activity, excessive
drinking of alcohol.
 Nearly 20% of cancer cause is due to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human
papillomavirus.
 Approximately 5-10% of cancer is due to inherited genetic defect from
person’s parents.

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. The chemical
carcinogens presenting tobacco smoke have been identified as a major cause of
lung cancer. Cancer causing viruses called oncogenic viruses have genes called
viral oncogenes. Furthermore, several genes called cellular oncogenes (conc) or
proto oncogenes have been identified in normal cells which when activated under
certain conditions, could lead to oncogenic transformation of the cells.

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 PREVENTION
DNA is vital for cell function and the body has mechanisms by which it protects
DNA from being damaged. One of the most important mechanisms is the one
responsible for the production of antioxidants. A major step in the prevention of
DNA damage, and therefore cancer, would be to optimize antioxidant activity.
Research has suggested that this can be achieved through the adoption of a diet
that incorporates antioxidant rich foods or extracts.

CANCER DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS

Early detection of cancers is essential as it allows the disease to be treated
successfully in many cases. Cancer detection is based on biopsy and
histopathological studies of the tissues and blood and bone marrow tests for
increased cell counts in the case of leukemia. In biopsy, a piece of the suspected
tissue cut into thin sections is stained and examined under microscope
(histopathological studies) by a pathologist. Techniques like radiography (use of X-
rays), CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are very
useful to detect cancers of the internal organs. Computed tomography uses X-
rays three-dimensional image of the internals of an object. MRI uses strong
magnetic fields and non-ionizing radiations to accurately detect to gene.
Pathological and physiological changes in the living tissue.

Areas of Antibodies against cancer-specific antigens are also used for detection of
certain cancers. Techniques of molecular biology can be an certain cancers.
Identification of such genes, which predispose applied to detect genes in
individuals with inherited susceptibility to certain cancers, may be very helpful in
prevention of cancers. Such individuals may be advised to avoid exposure to
particular carcinogens to which they are susceptible (e.g., tobacco smoke in case
of lung cancer).

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 TREATMENT OF CANCER
The common approaches for treatment of cancer tumor cells are irradiated
lethally, taking proper care of the normal tissues are surgery, radiation therapy
and immunotherapy. In radiotherapy, surrounding the tumor mass. Several
chemotherapeutic drugs are used to kill cancerous cells. Some of these are
specific for particular tumors. Majority of drugs have side effects like hair loss,
anemia, etc. Most cancers are treated by combination of surgery, radiotherapy
and chemotherapy. Tumor cells have been shown to avoid detection and
destruction by immune system. Therefore, the patients are given substances
called biological response modifiers such as a-interferon which activates their
immune system and helps in destroying the
tumor.
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 BIBLIOGRAPHY
 https://www.academia.edu/38059257/
STUDY_OF_CANCER_INVESTIGATORY_PROJECT_
 http://www.allprojectreports.com/
 https://byjus.com/
 https://ncert.nic.in/
 https://www.wikipedia.org/

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