Tumorigenesis 3

Most human cancers take decades to develop ex) risk of dying from colon cancer is 1000 times higher in a 70 year old man than a 10 year old boy

Microenvironment Normal cells, molecules, and blood vessels surrounding and feeding a tumor cell Dynamic Determines how tumor grows and spreads

Hypoxia As tumor grows larger, it gets further away from blood supply lack of blood means lack of oxygen leads to genetic instability

Hypoxia Lack of oxygen means cells under aerobic glycolysis produce lactate

Hypoxia extracellular environment becomes acidic cancer environment remains neutral

Necrosis! Cells in hypoxic environment prone to necrosis (cell death due to injury or toxins) necrotic tumors can indicate fast growing cancer chemo is working immune system is fighting