What are cancer cells. What is cancer. What are metastases

Cancer cells develop from healthy parts of the body. They do not penetrate tissues and organs from the outside, but are part of them.

Under the influence of factors that have not been fully studied, malignant formations stop responding to signals and begin to behave differently. The appearance of the cell also changes.

A malignant tumor is formed from a single cell that has become cancerous. This happens because of the modifications that occur in the genes. Most malignant particles have 60 or more mutations.

Before the final transformation into a cancer cell, it goes through a series of transformations. As a result, some of the pathological cells die, but a few survive and become oncological.

When a normal cell mutates, it goes into the stage of hyperplasia, then atypical hyperplasia, turns into carcinoma. Over time, it becomes invasive, that is, it moves through the body.

What is a healthy particle

It is generally accepted that cells are the first step in the organization of all living organisms. They are responsible for ensuring all vital functions, such as growth, metabolism, the transfer of biological information. In the literature, they are called somatic, that is, those that make up the entire human body, except for those that take part in sexual reproduction.

The particles that make up a person are very diverse. However, they share a number of common features. All healthy elements go through the same stages of their life path. It all starts at birth, then there is a process of maturation and functioning. It ends with the death of the particle as a result of the triggering of the genetic mechanism.

The process of self-destruction is called apoptosis, it occurs without disturbing the viability of surrounding tissues and inflammatory reactions.

During their life cycle, healthy particles divide a certain number of times, that is, they begin to reproduce only if there is a need. This happens after receiving a signal to divide. There is no division limit in sex and stem cells, lymphocytes.

Five interesting facts

Malignant particles are formed from healthy tissues. In the process of their development, they begin to differ significantly from ordinary cells.

Scientists managed to identify the main features of oncoforming particles:

  • Infinitely divided- the pathological cell doubles and increases in size all the time. Over time, this leads to the formation of a tumor, consisting of a huge number of copies of the oncological particle.
  • Cells separate from each other and exist autonomously- they lose the molecular bond between themselves and cease to stick together. This leads to the movement of malignant elements throughout the body and their deposition on various organs.
  • Cannot manage its life cycle- The p53 protein is responsible for cell repair. In most cancer cells, this protein is defective, so the life cycle is not well managed. Experts call such a defect immortality.
  • Lack of development- malignant elements lose their signal with the body and are engaged in endless division, not having time to mature. Because of this, they form multiple gene errors that affect their functional abilities.
  • Each cell has different external parameters- pathological elements are formed from various healthy parts of the body, which have their own characteristics in appearance. Therefore, they differ in size and shape.

There are malignant elements that do not form a lump, but accumulate in the blood. An example is leukemia. When dividing, cancer cells get more and more errors.. This leads to the fact that subsequent elements of the tumor may be completely different from the initial pathological particle.

Many experts believe that oncological particles begin to move inside the body immediately after the formation of a neoplasm. To do this, they use the blood and lymphatic vessels. Most of them die as a result of the work of the immune system, but a few survive and settle on healthy tissues.

All detailed information about cancer cells in this scientific lecture:

The structure of the malignant particle

Violations in the genes lead not only to changes in the functioning of cells, but also to the disorganization of their structure. They change in size, internal structure, shape of the complete set of chromosomes. These visible disturbances allow specialists to distinguish them from healthy particles. Examining cells under a microscope can diagnose cancer.

Core

There are tens of thousands of genes in the nucleus. They direct the functioning of the cell, dictating its behavior to it. Most often, the nuclei are located in the central part, but in some cases they can be displaced to one side of the membrane.

In cancer cells, the nuclei differ most of all, they become larger, acquire a spongy structure. The nuclei have depressed segments, indented membrane, enlarged and distorted nucleoli.

Proteins

Protein Challenge in performing the basic functions that are necessary to maintain the viability of the cell. They transport nutrients to it, convert them into energy, transmit information about changes in the external environment. Some proteins are enzymes whose task is to convert unused substances into necessary products.

In a cancer cell, proteins are modified, they lose the ability to do their job correctly. Errors affect enzymes and the life cycle of the particle is changed.

Mitochondria

The part of the cell in which products such as proteins, sugars, lipids are converted into energy is called the mitochondria. This conversion uses oxygen. As a result, toxic waste products such as free radicals are formed. It is believed that they can start the process of turning a cell into a cancer cell.

plasma membrane

All elements of the particle are surrounded by a wall made of lipids and proteins. The task of the membrane is to keep all of them in their places. In addition, it blocks the way to those substances that should not enter the cell from the body.

Special proteins of the membrane, which are its receptors, perform an important function. They transmit coded messages to the cell, according to which it reacts to changes in the environment..

Misreading the genes leads to changes in the production of receptors. Because of this, the particle does not learn about changes in the external environment and begins to lead an autonomous way of existence. This behavior leads to cancer.

Malignant particles of various organs

Cancer cells can be recognized by their shape. Not only do they behave differently, but they also look different than normal.

Scientists from Clarkson University conducted research, as a result of which they came to the conclusion that healthy and pathological particles differ in geometric outlines. For example, malignant cervical cancer cells have a higher degree of fractality.

Fractals are geometric shapes that consist of similar parts. Each of them looks like a copy of the whole figure.

Scientists were able to obtain an image of cancer cells using an atomic force microscope. The device made it possible to obtain a three-dimensional map of the surface of the particle under study.

Scientists continue to study the changes in fractality during the process of transforming normal particles into oncological ones.

Lungs' cancer

Lung pathology is non-small cell and small cell. In the first case, tumor particles divide slowly, in the later stages they are pinched off from the maternal focus and move through the body due to the lymph flow.

In the second case, the neoplasm particles are small in size and tend to rapidly divide. In a month, the number of cancer particles doubles. Elements of the tumor are able to spread both to the organs and to the bone tissues.

The cell has an irregular shape with rounded areas. On the surface, multiple growths of different structures are visible. The color of the cell is beige at the edges, and becomes red towards the middle.

breast cancer

Oncoformation in the breast may consist of particles that have been transformed from components such as connective and glandular tissue, ducts. The elements of the tumor themselves can be large and small. With highly differentiated pathology of the breast, the particles differ in nuclei of the same size.

The cell has a rounded shape, its surface is loose and inhomogeneous. Long straight processes protrude from it in all directions. At the edges, the color of the cancer cell is lighter and brighter, while inside it is darker and more saturated.

Skin cancer

Skin cancer is most often associated with the transformation into a malignant form of melanocytes. Cells are located in the skin in any part of the body. Specialists often associate these pathological changes with prolonged exposure to the open sun or in a solarium. Ultraviolet radiation contributes to the mutation of healthy elements of the skin.

Cancer cells develop on the surface of the skin for a long time. In some cases, pathological particles behave more aggressively, quickly growing deep into the skin.

Cancer cell has a rounded shape, over the entire surface of which multiple villi are visible. Their color is lighter than that of the membrane.

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Cancer cells are abnormal cells that multiply rapidly while retaining the ability to replicate and grow. This uncontrolled growth leads to the development of tissue masses or tumors. Tumors continue to grow, and some, known as malignant tumors, are able to spread from one place to another.

Cancer cells differ from normal cells in number or distribution in the body. They do not experience biological aging, retain their ability to divide and do not respond to signals of self-destruction. Below are 10 interesting facts about cancer cells that may surprise you.

1. There are over 100 types of cancer.

There are many different types of cancer, and these tumor formations can develop in. Cancers are usually named after the organs, tissues, or cells in which they develop. The most common type of cancer is carcinoma or skin cancer.

Carcinomas develop in the epithelial tissue that covers the outer surface of the body and organs, vessels, and cavities. Sarcomas form in muscles, bones, and soft connective tissues, including fat, blood vessels, lymphatics, tendons, and ligaments. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in the cells of the bone marrow, which form white cells. Lymphoma develops in white blood cells called lymphocytes. This type of cancer affects B cells and T cells.

2 Some Viruses Produce Cancer Cells

The development of cancer cells can be the result of a number of factors, including exposure to chemicals, radiation, ultraviolet light, and replication errors. In addition, they are also capable of causing cancer by changing. It is estimated that cancer viruses cause 15-20% of all cancers.

These viruses change cells by integrating their genetic material with the DNA of the host cell. Viral genes regulate cell development, which gives the cell the ability for abnormal new growth. Epstein-Barr virus is associated with Burkitt's lymphoma, hepatitis B virus can cause liver cancer, and human papillomaviruses can cause cervical cancer.

3. About a third of all cancers are preventable

According to the World Health Organization, about 30% of all cancers are preventable. It is estimated that only 5-10% of all cancers are due to an inherited gene defect. The rest are related to environmental pollution, infections, and lifestyle choices (smoking, poor diet, and physical inactivity). The single most likely risk factor for cancer worldwide is smoking and tobacco use. About 70% of lung cancer cases are related to smoking.

4 Cancer Cells Crave Sugar

Cancer cells use much more glucose to grow than normal cells. Glucose is a simple sugar needed for energy production through. Cancer cells use sugar at a high rate to keep dividing. These cells do not obtain their energy solely through glycolysis, the process of "breaking down sugars" for energy.

Tumor cells provide the energy needed to develop the abnormal growth associated with cancer cells. Mitochondria provide an enhanced source of energy, which also makes tumor cells more resistant to chemotherapy.

5. Cancer cells are hidden in the body

Cancer cells can escape the body's immune system by hiding among healthy cells. For example, some tumors secrete a protein that is also secreted by the lymph nodes. The protein allows the tumor to transform its outer layer into what resembles lymphatic tissue.

These tumors appear to be healthy, not cancerous tissue. As a result, immune cells do not detect the tumor as a harmful formation, and allow it to grow and spread uncontrollably in the body. Other cancer cells avoid chemotherapy drugs by hiding in compartments in the body. Some leukemia cells escape treatment by hiding in the bones.

6. Cancer cells change shape

Cancer cells undergo changes to avoid immune system defenses, as well as to protect against radiation and chemotherapy. Cancer epithelial cells, for example, may resemble healthy cells with certain shapes resembling loose connective tissue.

The ability to change shape is due to the inactivation of molecular switches called miRNAs. These small regulatory RNA molecules have the ability to regulate gene expression. When some microRNAs become inactivated, tumor cells acquire the ability to change shape.

7 Cancer Cells Divide Uncontrollably

Cancer cells may have mutations in genes or chromosomes that affect the reproductive properties of the cells. A normal cell dividing through produces two. Tumor cells, however, are capable of dividing into three or more daughter cells. Newly developed cancer cells may or may not have extra chromosomes. Most malignant tumors have cells that have lost chromosomes during division.

8 Cancer Cells Need Blood Vessels To Survive

One of the telltale signs of cancer is the rapid formation of new blood vessels, known as angiogenesis. Tumors need nutrients to grow, provided by the blood vessels. The blood vessel endothelium is responsible for both normal angiogenesis and tumor angiogenesis. Cancer cells send signals to nearby healthy cells, influencing them to form blood vessels that will supply the tumor. Studies have shown that by preventing the formation of new blood vessels, tumors stop growing.

9. Cancer cells can spread from one area to another

Cancer cells can metastasize or spread from one place to another through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. They activate receptors in the blood vessels, allowing them to exit the circulation and spread to tissues and organs. Cancer cells release chemicals called chemokines that induce an immune response and allow them to pass through blood vessels into surrounding tissues.

10 Cancer Cells Avoid Programmed Cell Death

When normal cells experience DNA damage, tumor suppressor proteins are released, causing a cellular response called . Due to the gene mutation, tumor cells lose the ability to detect DNA damage and therefore the ability to self-destruct.

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This article will be of interest to those who want to know how and why the normal cells of our body suddenly become alien, gradually killing the organism in which they were born.

- this is a disease that was created by the person himself, striving for the most comfortable life with a lot of excesses. And for this, he needed to use a huge amount of synthetic chemicals, electromagnetic waves, atomic energy, etc. In the process of evolution, of course, the body has developed factors of protection against such influences. But the number of these influences and their intensity exceed all conceivable limits. It turns out that these mechanisms often do not work.

The development of any tumor is based on damage to the DNA structure and, as a result, the appearance of atypical cells. This happens when the body is exposed to carcinogens - all those factors that can cause DNA damage.

What are atypical cells and why do they appear.

Every day, every person is affected by a hundred factors that cause changes and damage to his cells. These are such potentially carcinogenic factors as ultraviolet and electromagnetic radiation, chemicals, radiation, etc. They change the genetic information in the cell, and from that moment it goes out of control of the body. Cells damaged in this way become atypical, i.e. acquire features that are not characteristic of a normal cell. Atypical cells with altered genetic information are formed in the human body every day. And not just one or two, but millions. Any healthy cell, under certain influences, can turn into an atypical one and then into a tumor one. The very fact of cell aging is also a prerequisite for the occurrence of atypical changes in them.
Thus, aging, our own cells sometimes pose a threat to the body, become unnecessary. In order to remove atypical and old cells, the body has a defense system - programmed cell death, or apoptosis. This is an orderly process in which unnecessary and dangerous cells are completely destroyed.
In a healthy body, mechanisms for suppressing tumor transformation are also laid down. This is the so-called reparation system, i.e. restoration of cells and tissues after a damaging effect. If the atypical cell cannot be repaired, it can be destroyed by the immune defense system.
The process by which normal cells and tissues turn into tumor cells is called oncogenesis. A tumor can be either benign or malignant. However, not all benign tumors become malignant. Altered cells may have signs of tumor, but this is not cancer. Their transformation into cancerous occurs gradually. And the stage from the initial minimal cell changes to the appearance of malignant signs is called precancer.
If at this stage the impact of the damaging factor stops and the own defense mechanisms are normalized, the tumor can be destroyed or the risk of its transition to malignant will be minimal.

Why does an atypical cell become cancerous?

Any old, damaged, or abnormal cell is biologically different from a normal cell. Thanks to these differences, a healthy immune system detects it, recognizes it as foreign and destroys it. If there are disturbances in the immune system, it cannot recognize such an altered cell and destroy it accordingly. Part of atypical cells also survive if the number and rate of their formation exceeds the capabilities of even a healthy immune system.
Another reason for the survival of damaged cells is disturbances in the repair system, when such a cell cannot be restored. Thus, some of the atypical cells remain alive and begin to divide intensively. After two or three divisions of such an atypical cell, defective hereditary traits are fixed in it. And after the fourth division, the cell becomes malignant.

The main causes of the formation of tumors.

Tumor growth can be caused by many factors individually or acting simultaneously. All influences of a physical, chemical and biological nature that increase the likelihood of malignant neoplasms are called carcinogens.
It is a proven fact that tumors never develop on healthy tissues well supplied with oxygen. In 1931, the German biochemist Otto Warburg received the Nobel Prize for research in the field of cancer, in which he proved that a cancer cell is formed as a result of a lack of oxygen in tissues and the replacement of normal oxygen respiration of cells with an oxygen-free one with an acidic environment.
However, for the development of a tumor, in addition to the impact of a carcinogen, an important point is the violation of the mechanisms of antitumor defense of the body,
violation in the immune system, genetic predisposition.
When we talk about genetic predisposition, we do not mean the transmission of a tumor by inheritance, but the peculiarities of metabolism, the functioning of the immune and other systems that predispose to the development of a tumor.
Thus, a tumor is formed under the simultaneous influence of a carcinogen and disturbances in the body's antitumor defense system.

The main causes of tumor development

  1. Genetic predisposition largely determines the antitumor defense of the body. The existence of about 200 hereditary forms of malignant diseases has been proven. The most significant of them:
    a. Anomalies (deviations from the norm) of the genes responsible for the repair (repair) of DNA. Repair is the ability of cells to repair damage in DNA molecules, which inevitably occurs under the influence of many physical, chemical, and other factors. As a result, there is an increased sensitivity to the harmful effects of radiation, ultraviolet radiation, exposure to chemicals, etc. due to the inability of the body to correct damage after exposure. For example, such a hereditary disease as xeroderma pigmentosum is associated with the inability to restore skin cells after damage by ultraviolet and radiation.
    b. Abnormalities in the genes responsible for tumor suppression.
    c. Anomalies of genes regulating intercellular interaction. This deviation is one of the main mechanisms for the spread and metastasis of cancer.
    d. Other hereditary genetic and chromosomal defects: neurofibromatosis, familial intestinal polyposis, certain leukemias, and hereditary melanomas.
  2. Chemical carcinogens. About 75% of all malignant tumors, according to WHO, are caused by exposure to chemicals. These include: tobacco combustion factors, chemicals found in food, compounds used in production. More than 800 chemical compounds with a carcinogenic effect are known. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has recognized 50 chemical compounds as dangerous to humans. The most dangerous chemical carcinogens: nitrosamines, aminoazo compounds, epoxides, aflotoxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic amines and amides, some metals (arsenic, cobalt), asbestos, vinyl chloride, certain drugs (containing inorganic arsenic, alkylating drugs, phenacetin, amidopyrine, derivatives nitrosoureas, estrogenic drugs, etc.).
    Potentially carcinogenic chemicals do not cause tumor growth by themselves. They are precarcinogens. Only undergoing a series of physical and chemical transformations in the body, they become true or ultimate carcinogens.
  3. Physical carcinogens: all types of ionizing radiation (X-rays, gamma rays, etc.), ultraviolet radiation, electromagnetic fields, constant mechanical injury to human tissues, exposure to high temperatures.
  4. Endogenous carcinogens are those that are formed in the body from its normal components in case of metabolic disorders, and in particular the hormonal balance of the body. These are cholesterol, bile acids, some amino acids (tyrosine, tryptophan), steroid hormones(estrogens).
  5. biological carcinogens. This includes oncogenic viruses.
    1. DNA viruses: some adenoviruses and herpesviruses (for example, human papillomavirus, Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis B and C viruses).
    2. RNA-containing viruses: retroviruses.

The mechanism of tumor development

Regardless of the cause of the tumor transformation of the cell (chemical, physical or biological), as well as the type and location of the tumor, the same DNA changes (damage to the genetic code) occur in the cell when the normal genetic program passes into the program of atypical tumor growth.
Also, regardless of the cause that caused tumor growth, the following 4 stages can be distinguished in the process of formation of all tumors:

I. At the first stage of tumor growth, the carcinogen interacts with DNA segments of a normal cell containing genes that control cell division, maturation, and differentiation.

II. As a result of this interaction, damage to the DNA structure (gene mutations) occurs, which causes tumor transformation of the cell. At this stage, the cell does not yet have signs of a tumor (it is a latent tumor cell). At this stage, the expression of the oncogene occurs.

III. At the third stage, the cell, which has already been changed genotypically, acquires characteristic tumor features - tumor phenotype.

IV. At the last stage, the tumor cell acquires the ability for unlimited uncontrolled division (“immortality”), while normal cells have a mechanism that limits the number of their divisions. This limit is called the "Hayflick limit or limit" and is around 50 divisions.

How is a tumor cell different from a normal cell?

Common to all transformed cells is tumor atypism. What is it? Normally, each cell of the body has specific features characteristic of the tissue whose functions it performs. Tumor cells differ from normal cells both in structure and function. And if the cells of benign tumors are still similar to the cells of normal tissues of the body, then the cells of malignant neoplasms have nothing in common with the tissue from which they arose. This is tumor atypia. There are the following types of atypism:

growth atypia:
a. Atypism of cell division is a significant increase in the number of dividing cells. While in any normal tissue it is no more than 5%, in tumors their amount reaches 50-60%. The cell acquires the ability to uncontrolled, unrestrained reproduction and division.
b. Atypism of cell differentiation. Normally, initially all cells of the embryo are the same, but soon they begin to differentiate into different types, for example, brain, bone, muscle, nerve cells, etc. In malignant tumors, the process of cell differentiation is partially or completely suppressed, they remain immature. Cells lose their specificity, i.e. special features to perform specialized functions.
c. Invasive growth is the germination of tumor cells into neighboring normal tissues.
d. Metastasis- transfer of tumor cells throughout the body with the formation of other tumor nodes. At the same time, the selectivity of the occurrence of metastases is noted. In lung cancer, metastases are more common in the liver, other lung, bones, and liver; with stomach cancer - in the bones, lungs, ovaries; with breast cancer - in the bones, lungs, liver.
e. Recurrence is the re-development of cancer of the same structure in the same place after its removal.

Metabolic atypism (exchange)- changes in all types of metabolism.
a. The tumor becomes a "metabolic trap", actively including amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates and other body substances in its metabolism. Due to this, the processes of growth and energy supply of the cancer cell are enhanced. For example, tumors are a "trap" of vitamin E. And since it is an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals, and also stabilizes cell membranes, this is one of the reasons for increasing the resistance of tumor cells to all types of therapy.
b. In neoplasms, anabolic processes predominate over catabolic ones.
c. The tumor becomes autonomous (independent of the organism). It seems to “escape” from the controlling and regulating neurogenic and hormonal influences. This is due to significant changes in the receptor apparatus of tumor cells. The faster the growth of the tumor, the more pronounced its autonomy and the less differentiated it is, as a rule.
d. The transition of tumor cells to more ancient and simple metabolic pathways.

Atypism of functions. The functions of tumor cells are usually reduced or changed, but sometimes increased. With an increase in function, the tumor produces any substances inappropriately much for the needs of the body. For example, hormonally active neoplasms synthesize hormones in excess. These are cancer of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands (pheochromocytoma), a tumor of pancreatic β-cells (insulinoma), etc. Some tumors sometimes produce substances that are not characteristic of the tissue from which they developed. For example, poorly differentiated stomach tumor cells sometimes produce collagen.

Why does the body “not see” the tumor?

It's all to blame - tumor progression- an irreversible change in one or more properties of a cell, genetically fixed and inherited by a tumor cell.
Once formed from a normal cell by changing its genetic information, a tumor cell is constantly changing its genome, which entails changes in all its features: morphology, functioning, physiology, biochemistry. Moreover, each tumor cell can change in different ways, so one neoplasm can consist of cells completely different from each other.
In the process of tumor progression, atypism of cells increases, and, consequently, their malignancy. Given that cancer cells are constantly changing, they become completely invisible to the body, the defense systems do not have time to track them. As a result of tumor progression, the resulting neoplasm has the highest adaptability.

All manifestations of atypism in tumors create conditions for their survival in the body and increased competitiveness with normal body tissues.

Differences between benign and malignant tumors
Most often, in external signs it is impossible to distinguish a benign tumor from a malignant one. And only microscopic examination of cells gives an accurate picture. The table below summarizes the differences between these two types of tumors.

signs

benign tumor

malignant tumor

Tumor shape

The tumor has smooth, clear edges.

The edge is uneven, bumpy, there are no clear boundaries of the tumor.

Growth rate

Slow

Fast, unrestrained, uncontrollable.

General effect on the body

Manifest locally: cause inconvenience, compress nerves, blood vessels and surrounding organs.

Malignant tumors cause cancer intoxication(intoxication - poisoning, from the word toxin - poison), caused by the products of metabolism and decay of the tumor. The tumor deprives the body of the necessary nutrients, energy substrates, plastic components up to cancer cachexia (cachexia - exhaustion).

How is a tumor detected?

Usually, when it is already large enough, but the body does not suffer significantly.

Sometimes, before the detection of the tumor itself, the so-called paraneoplastic syndrome(nonspecific reactions from various organs and systems).

growth pattern

When a tumor grows, it does not go beyond the boundaries of the tissue from which it was formed, but pushes healthy tissues apart.

Tumors, during their growth, grow through healthy tissues, destroying them ( infiltrating growth).

Metastasis

Metastases are not given.

Metastasize.

Atypism(unusual) cells (under microscopic examination)

Cells tumors are similar on cells of normal body tissues. Differences from healthy cells are minimal.

Cells differ significantly in structure and function from normal ones.

Polymorphism(variety) of cells D differentiation (degree of cell development )

tumor cells highly differentiated . The tumor resembles the tissue from which it originates (muscles, epithelium, etc.). The specific functions of the tissue are partially preserved.

tumor cells undifferentiated or poorly differentiated . Sometimes the changes are so great that it is impossible to figure out from which tissue the tumor developed. Undifferentiated cells divide very often, so they do not have time to turn into ordinary ones. All tumor cells are different and the tissue loses its functions.

A cancerous tumor implies the appearance in the human body of a malignant neoplasm, which takes some of the nutrients for itself and worsens the general condition of the patient. It is no secret that cancerous tumors are the scourge of modern society. However, thanks to science, humanity has made significant progress in the study of this disease, and today there is a lot of information about malignant tumors.

Causes of the appearance of cancerous tumors

In the normal state, if an ordinary cell has some defects, it undergoes apoptosis, i.e., self-destruction. A cancer cell is different in that it cannot be destroyed and instead disguised as healthy. Therefore, the body perceives diseased cells as normal, and those, in turn, continue to divide, forming a cancerous tumor.

Why it happens? Unfortunately, despite the huge progress, the exact cause of the appearance of such neoplasms has not been established. However, most scientists are of the opinion about genetic disorders in the body.

However, according to studies at the end of 2015, due to genetic disorders, malignant cells occur only in 20-30% of cases. At the same time, it has been established that harmful factors have a much greater influence on the appearance of a tumor. To such negative impacts relate:

  • Bad environmental situation.
  • Inhalation of tobacco smoke.
  • Acceptance of alcoholic beverages.
  • Exposure to ionizing and ultraviolet radiation.
  • Penetration of certain groups of viruses.

Despite this, the exact cause of the disease is still unknown.

Description of malignancy

What is cancer anyway? This is not a crustacean animal that lives in fresh water. A cancerous tumor is more unpleasant in appearance and carries a much greater danger.

The appearance of the tumor depends on the location and may vary in each case. Usually it is a soft knot that has a smooth or bumpy surface.

The dimensions are also unique. At the initial stages, the diameter is usually 1 cm. However, over time, the neoplasm is much larger. At the last stages of development, the diameter can reach 30cm.

After the collapse, the neoplasm changes its "familiar appearance". Now the tumor looks like a purulent mass with an unpleasant fetid odor.

Varieties and properties of tumors

Why is the exact cause so difficult to establish? The answer is simple - there are many varieties of malignant tumors, each of which is unique. To facilitate classification, neoplasms are usually subdivided depending on the type of affected cells.

At the moment distinguish the following types of tumors:

  • Carcinoma - epithelial cells.
  • Sarcoma - connective tissue, bones and muscles.
  • Melanoma - if the tumor consists of melanocytes (cells responsible for skin color).
  • Lymphoma is lymphatic tissue.
  • Glioma - grows from glial cells in the brain.
  • Teratoma - so-called. "germ" cells.
  • Leukemia - brain stem cells.

Despite huge differences, all cancers have some of the characteristic features:

  • Atypical cell structure.
  • Rapid and uncontrolled growth, leading to the destruction or compression of healthy organs and tissues.
  • Possibility of spreading to surrounding tissues.
  • The tendency to form metastases (local pathological tumor foci) on neighboring or distant organs.
  • The production of toxins that weaken the immune system, as well as leading to physical exhaustion and emaciation.
  • Disguise as a healthy tissue (to deceive the body's defenses).
  • High probability of mutation.
  • The presence of mostly young cells.
  • Accelerated filling of blood vessels.

Clinical picture

Symptoms of any tumor can be divided into 2 categories - general and specific. The first category includes signs that are characteristic of any type of cancer. As a rule, these are symptoms that occur due to the effects of toxins on the body and their destructive effects. An exacerbation of the clinical picture and deterioration of the condition usually occurs after the collapse of a cancerous neoplasm.

Common symptoms of a tumor include:

Clinical picture specific symptoms depend on the location of the tumor. For example, with brain damage, the patient begins frequent headaches, irritability, dizziness. If the tumor is localized in the respiratory tract, cough, shortness of breath, suffocation and hemoptysis (up to pulmonary hemorrhage) develop. If the bones are affected, there are painful sensations during movement, as well as frequent fractures due to the fragility of the bones.

Separately, it is worth mentioning metastases, i.e., the spread of tumor cells to healthy organs and tissues. Again, the exact clinical picture depends on each individual case, but nevertheless it is possible identify common symptoms:

  • Significant enlargement of the lymph nodes.
  • Enlargement of the liver.
  • Minor bleeding (eg, hemoptysis).
  • Change in hormonal status.

A cancerous tumor cannot be described in a nutshell. The main problem of this disease is the complexity of its study and understanding. Each neoplasm is unique and has its own characteristics. One can only hope that a cure for the "problem of the 21st century" will soon be invented.

Cancer Cells Die While You Eat These 7 Foods
Try it. They really start to die.
The latest medical research confirms that the 7 products described below are extremely useful in cancer, as they inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors.

They are best used as a prophylactic, but there is evidence that they work better than chemotherapy! And most importantly - it's delicious and popular products!

So here they are:

curry,
green tea,
black chocolate,
raspberries,
blueberry,
tomatoes,
Red wine.
The normal process of blood vessel development is called angiogenesis. In some periods of life (for example, in newborns), angiogenesis occurs more actively.

With age, it slows down significantly, becoming more active in special cases, such as the restoration of tissues and capillaries in case of injuries. Usually this process is controlled by activator and inhibitor molecules.

In general, inhibitors play a more important role, but angiogenesis activators promote the growth of vascular cells necessary for the formation of new blood vessels.

Once fully developed, cancer cells typically release angiogenesis activators into the body as they require more blood vessels to deliver nutrients.

Modern medicine has recently learned to produce drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors. Their main difference from chemotherapy is that they do not destroy cancer cells, but prevent the formation of blood vessels to feed the tumor.

The seven foods below have powerful anti-angiogenic properties, hindering blood flow to cancer cells.

Therefore, scientists advise eating these foods, controlling angiogenesis; in this way you can prevent the development and growth of malignant cells.

Red wine.

Red wine contains the important substance resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant found in grape skins.

Many studies have shown that resveratrol destroys bacteria, viruses and fungi.

But the beneficial properties of the miracle substance do not end there! Resveratrol improves glucose tolerance in diabetes, improves physical and mental well-being, destroys dangerous free radicals, prolongs the life of animals, promotes heart function, increases energy production of cells and prevents cell destruction due to radiation exposure.

Turmeric.


In addition to its many beneficial properties, turmeric is an excellent fat burner.

Blueberries and raspberries.

These berries are incredibly effective in preventing cancer. In addition, they stop angiogenesis and reduce oxidative stress.

Tomatoes.

A Harvard study found that eating tomato sauce and tomato dishes more than four times a month halved the risk of prostate cancer.

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which has anti-angiogenic effects. It dissolves easily in fat and is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract.

Black chocolate.


Fighting cancer doesn't mean giving up sweets entirely. In particular, dark chocolate is very useful: it strengthens the heart, improves mood and resists malignant cells.

Coffee and green tea.

Coffee and green tea are extremely beneficial and will help in the fight against various types of cancer.



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