1. Cell Biology and Cancer
A Look
at What
Happens When Normal Cells Get Out of Control.

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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!

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Cancer Cells Invade Neighboring Tissues
have the ability to cross normal boundaries and invade surrounding tissues.
can avoid the mechanisms of contact inhibition.

13. Cancer Cells Spread to Different Parts of the Body
Cancer Cells can
travel to distant areas
of the body through
the:
bloodstream
Lymph vessels

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. Lymphomas Lymph nodes are found in the: Neck Groin Armpits Spleen
Center of chest
Around the intestines

20. Lymphomas Solid Tumors Usually formed from abnormal WBC
Most common forms of are:
Hodgkin’s
non-Hodgkin’s

21. Five Types of Cancer . . . 5. Sarcomas Rarest of all cancers
Most challenging prognosis
Solid tumors
Arise from connective tissue, mostly bone

22. However … Sarcomas can
arise from muscle tissue and invade tissues such as:
Bladder
Kidneys
Liver
Lungs
spleen

23. Carcinogenesis