Question

Describe the process of cancer cell progression from the initial single cancer cell to metastatic state.

Answer 1

Genes inside the nucleus of each cell tell it when to grow, work, divide and die. Normally our cells follow these instructions and stay healthy. But when there is a change in our DNA or damage to it, the gene tend to mutate.

Cancer cells have gene mutations that turn the cell from a normal cell into a cancer cell. These mutations may be inherited, developed on time or developed if we are around something that damage our genes like cigerette smoking, alcohol or UV radiations from sun.

Gene mutations in cancer cell interfere with the normal instructions in a cell and can cause it to grow out of control or not die when it should.cancer cells are different from normal cells because they ,

Divide out of control

Are immature and will not develop to mature cells

Avoid immune system

Ignore signals of stop dividing and die

Will not stick together very well and so can spread to other parts of body through blood and lymph

Grow into damaged tissue and organ.

These cancer cells divide and grow into tumour. Cancer cell have same need as of normal cell. They need blood supply to bring oxygen and nutrients to grow and survive. As tumour grows it needs more blood to bring oxygen and nutrients to cancer cells. Cancer cells send signals to tumour to make new blood vessels. This is called angeogenesis. This is the main reason why tumour grow amd become bigger size.

As the tumour gets bigger, cancer cells spreads to surrounding tissue and structures by pushing on normal tissue beside the tumour. Cancer cells also males enzymes that break down normal cells and tissues.

Cancer can spread from whete it is first started to other parts of body. This process is called metastasis. Cancer cells can metastasize when they break away from the tumour and travel to a new location in our body through blood and lymph. There they develop into new tumour. Metastasis is the main reason for the spread of cancer.