Question

Explain the development process of cancer cell in the human body.

Answer 1

The pathogenesis of cancer is a multistep process in which a series of sequentially occurring gene mutations results in the production of a malignant cell. Cells must possess certain traits in order to properly commence carcinogenesis. These qualities are commonly referred to as the hallmarks of cancer.

1. Growth signal autonomy:

Cancer cells have the ability to divide in the absence of the extrinsic signals that are ordinarily required to drive division.

 

2. Insensitivity to growth inhibitory signals:

With comparing to normal cells, cancer cells are unaffected by extrinsic signals that prevent the division of normal cells.

 

3. Evasion of apoptosis:

When sufficient DNA damage and other abnormalities are discovered in normal cells, apoptosis (a sort of programmed cell death) is induced; however, apoptosis is not induced in cancer cells.

 

4. Reproductive potential not limited by telomeres:

Each division of a normal cell results in a reduction in the length of the cell's telomeres. Telomeres attain a particular length in normal cells, at which point they are unable to divide anymore. Cancer cells avoid this arrest and/or preserve the length of their telomeres, allowing them to continue to grow.

 

5. Sustained angiogenesis:

The development of new blood arteries into the tumor is required by the majority of malignancies. Cancer cells do not require inhibitory or stimulatory signals to promote angiogenesis, as is the case with normal angiogenesis.

 

6. Tissue invasion and metastasis:

Normal cells, on the other hand, do not migrate (except in embryo development). Cancer cells spread to other tissues, including organs that are important to life.

 

7. Deregulated metabolic pathways:

When cancer cells have a high demand for energy and nutrients, they resort to an aberrant metabolism to meet that demand.

 

8. Evasion of the immune system:

Cancer cells have the ability to elude detection by the immune system.

 

9. Chromosomal instability:

The majority of malignancies are discovered to have severe chromosomal abnormalities.

 

10. Inflammation:

Many kinds of cancer are connected with chronic inflammation on a local level.

Following figure shows the development of cancer cells in human body: