definition of cancer

Introduction

Cancer is a complex and multifaceted disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Despite the extensive research, the definition of cancer continues to evolve as our understanding of its underlying mechanisms deepens.

Key Insights

Uncontrolled Cell Proliferation and Spread:
- Cancer is broadly defined as a disease where some of the body's cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body .
Genetic and Epigenetic Changes:
- Cancer involves genetic mutations and epigenetic changes that drive the uncontrolled proliferation and malignancy of cells .
Multistep Process:
- The development of cancer is a multistep process requiring several mutations, each contributing to the progression and malignancy of the tumor .
Evolution by Natural Selection:
- Cancer cells undergo evolution by natural selection, accumulating genetic and epigenetic changes that enhance their survival and proliferation.
Malignant vs. Benign Tumors:
- Malignant tumors spread throughout the body forming metastases, while benign tumors are localized and non-invasive.
Compensatory Mechanism:
- Cancer can be viewed as a reactive mechanism where cells acquire new functions to compensate for the failure of other organs or systems.
Clonal Origin:
- Most tumors are clonally derived from a single progenitor cancer cell, indicating that the disease phenotype is determined by the tumor cell DNA.

Conclusion

Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation and spread of transformed cells, driven by genetic and epigenetic changes. It is a multistep process involving several mutations and is subject to evolution by natural selection. The disease can manifest as either malignant or benign tumors, with malignant tumors having the ability to metastasize. Additionally, cancer can be seen as a compensatory mechanism for organ failure, and most tumors originate from a single progenitor cell.

Definition of cancer

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Updating the Definition of Cancer

Cancer is a disease of uncontrolled proliferation by transformed cells subject to natural selection, modernizing the definition to include genetic and epigenetic changes that lead to lethal phenotypes.

Cancer: a reactive mechanism in order to try to save life.

Cancer is a reactive mechanism of the body to compensate for decompensated organ functions, and incorporating the body's own cancer extracts may be beneficial in cancer treatment.

The multistep nature of cancer.

Cancer is a multistep genetic disease, requiring three to six mutations to complete the process of tumor growth, disorganization, and malignancy.

Cancer: The Basics

Cancer is a disease caused by abnormal cell growth in the body's tissues, leading to malignant tumors and loss of normal organ function.

The multicellular organism and cancer

Cancer is a disease of multicellular organisms, characterized by neoplastic cells growing excessively and escaping normal cell coexistence rules, with some forms present in plants and some animals.

Cellular and Molecular Biology of Cancer

Cancer is a disease characterized by malignant growths derived from abnormal cells, which proliferate autonomously, invade tissue barriers, and reproduce indefinitely, leading to the death of the host if not eradicated.

The relation of gene control mechanisms to cancer

Cancer is a disease involving uncontrolled cell growth and division, invasiveness, and metastasis, transmitted genetically or epigenetically to daughter cells.

Malignancy: An Evolving Definition of a Cancer Cell

Malignancy now encompasses a complex interplay of cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell death, with oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes playing key roles in the disease.

The Genetic Basis of Cancer

Cancer is a genetic disease, with somatic mutations and epigenetic changes playing a significant role in tumor development, but inherited causes account for a small proportion of all cancers.

What Is "Cancer"? Is There A Need for New Terminologies?

The definition of cancer has remained the same for centuries, despite significant advances in molecular biology, immunology, and genetics, and the need for new terminology to better reflect these advances.

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