Cancer Basics
Cancer Basics
TO
CANCER
INDRANIL MODAK
OVERVIEW
The body's system is composed of
To do
CELL CYCLE
A
Stop and go
The cell's machinery, are two
signals:
The "go" signal to stay in the
cycle and keep dividing
The "stop" signal to stop
dividing and exit the cell
cycle.
"stop" and "go" signals maintain
go
signal
All
The other migrates out of the basal layer and loses the capacity to divide.
The number of dividing cells in the basal layer, therefore, stays the same.
and on sending signals. Or because the genes that normally tell the cell
to stop reproducing have been damaged or lost.
So the cancer cell keeps on doubling, regardless of the damage the extra
cells cause to the part of the body where the cancer is growing.
cells in the right place. So they can become detached from their
neighbours.
Unlike normal cells, cancer cells do not carry on maturing once they
have been made. In fact, the cells in a cancer can become even less
mature over time.
With all the reproducing, it is not surprising that more of the genetic
Neoplasm or tumor
An abnormal mass of tissue as a result of abnormal growth or division
of cells
Prior to abnormal growth (known as neoplasia), cells often undergo an
abnormal pattern of growth, such as metaplasia or dysplasia
The growth of neoplastic cells exceeds, and usually causes a lump or tumor.
Neoplasms may be
benign,
pre-malignant (carcinoma in situ)
malignant (cancer).
Dysplasia is an abnormal type of
excessive cell proliferation characterized
by loss of normal tissue arrangement
and cell structure.
CARCINOMA IN SITU
The most severe cases of dysplasia ->
"carcinoma in situ.
Carcinoma in situ refers to an
uncontrolled growth of cells that
remains in the original location.
Carcinoma in situ (CIS) is defined by
the absence of invasion of tumor cells
into the surrounding tissue, usually
before
penetration
through
the basement membrane.
However, carcinoma in situ may develop
into an invasive, metastatic malignancy
and, therefore, is usually removed
surgically, if possible.
TUMOR GRADING
doctors assign a numerical "grade" to most cancers
In this grading system, a low number grade (grade I or II) refers
means a crab.
Three most common childhood cancers are leukemia (34%), brain
tumors (23%), and lymphomas (12%)
Most doctors will refer to CIS as "pre-cancer", not cancer.
Some neoplasms do not form a tumor. These include leukemia.
In origin, metastasis is a Greek word meaning "displacement.
Metastatic cancer has the same name and same type of cancer cells as
the original cancer.
The most common sites of cancer metastasis are, in alphabetical order,
the bone, liver, and lung.