Cell Biology and Cancer A Look at What Happens When Normal Cells Get Out of Control.
What Is Cancer? Cancer is the “uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells which can overwhelm the tissue, organ, or even the entire system”. Oncology – is the study of Cancer Taken from: What you Really Need to Know about Cancer -1997; Dr. Robert Buckman
Some Statistics on Cancer Cancer is the Second Leading Cause of Death. It is Second only to Heart Disease. In 2003 the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that cancer was the number one cause of death in the US for people between the ages of 45-64.
Cancer in the United States 1 out of 3 people will develop a form of cancer sometime in their lives. 1 out of every 4 diagnosed with cancer will die. More than 1,500 people die of cancer every day.
Cancer in the United States In 2006, 2.5 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed. In 2005, the National Institute of Health (NIH) reported that the cost associated with cancer was over $210 billion.
Cancer and Women Women are more frightened of getting cancer versus heart disease even though heart disease kills more than eight times as many women each year.
Cancer is Not a Disease . . . it is a process that is shared by different diseases. There are over 200 diseases that make up the “cancers”. All “cancers” share some common features.
Common Features Cancer is what happens when a group of cells: grow disorderly and multiply uncontrollably. invade neighboring tissue. spread to distant parts of the body.
Cancer Cells Grow Uncontrollably Cells have a mechanism that keep them growing and reproducing in a normal and orderly way. The Cell Cycle is that Process!
Normal Cell Growth and Reproduction in an Orderly way The process that controls normal cell division of body cells is called Mitosis. Meiosis is the process that controls the division of gametes
Cancer Cells Growth Disorderly Cancer cells are able to escape the cell’s control mechanisms Accelerated growth occurs in a disorderly way resulting in a Tumor.
Cancer Cells Invade Neighboring Tissues have the ability to cross normal boundaries and invade surrounding tissues. can avoid the mechanisms of contact inhibition.
Cancer Cells Spread to Different Parts of the Body Cancer Cells can travel to distant areas of the body through the: bloodstream Lymph vessels
Summary Five Basic Properties of Cancer Cells: 1. Uncontrollable growth & reproduction 2. Invasion of surrounding tissue 3. ability to travel via the blood stream or lymph vessels 4. ability to establish secondary tumors 5. ability to produce substances that interfere with body functions
There are 5 Major Types of Cancers 1. Carcinomas The most common form of cancer Solid tumors that can affect any part of the body Spread via bloodstream & lymphatic fluid Form in epithelial cells skin, mouth, nose, throat, lungs Genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts Glands: breast and thyroid
Five Types of Cancer . . . 2. Leukemias Formed in blood and bone marrow Not solid tumors Abnormal white blood cells that replace healthy WBC Abnormal cells circulate throughout the bloodstream
Five Types of Cancer . . . 3. Myelomas Tumors that originate in plasma cells Once considered rare, but incidences are increasing Plasma cells are the antibody-producing WBC that are located in the bone marrow
Five Types of Cancer . . . 4. Lymphomas Occurs in glands and nodes of the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes are the body’s filtering system that removes toxins and impurities from the blood.
Lymphomas Lymph nodes are found in the: Neck Groin Armpits Spleen Center of chest Around the intestines
Lymphomas Solid Tumors Usually formed from abnormal WBC Most common forms of are: Hodgkin’s non-Hodgkin’s
Five Types of Cancer . . . 5. Sarcomas Rarest of all cancers Most challenging prognosis Solid tumors Arise from connective tissue, mostly bone
However … Sarcomas can arise from muscle tissue and invade tissues such as: Bladder Kidneys Liver Lungs spleen
Carcinogenesis