Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. There are many different types of cancer, and each type is characterized by the specific type of cell that is affected. Cancer cells differ from normal cells in several key ways, and understanding these differences can help scientists and doctors better understand how cancer grows and spreads, and how it can be treated.
One of the most significant differences between cancer cells and normal cells is that cancer cells are able to grow and divide in an uncontrolled manner. Normal cells are programmed to stop dividing and growing once they reach a certain size, and they also stop growing and dividing when they receive signals from other cells telling them to do so. Cancer cells, on the other hand, do not respond to these signals and continue to grow and divide, even when it is not appropriate. This uncontrolled growth is what allows cancer cells to form tumors and spread to other parts of the body.
Another difference between cancer cells and normal cells is that cancer cells are often more resistant to the body's natural defenses. Normal cells can be attacked and destroyed by the immune system, but cancer cells are often able to evade these attacks and continue growing and dividing. This is because cancer cells often produce substances that help them evade the immune system, or they may even produce substances that suppress the immune system's activity. This allows cancer cells to survive and thrive, even in the presence of the body's natural defenses.
Cancer cells may also differ from normal cells in terms of their genetic makeup. Normal cells have a set of instructions, called DNA, that tells them how to function. Cancer cells may have mutations or changes in their DNA that allow them to grow and divide in an uncontrolled manner. These changes may also allow cancer cells to evade the immune system or to resist the effects of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.
Overall, cancer cells differ from normal cells in several key ways, including their ability to grow and divide in an uncontrolled manner, their resistance to the body's natural defenses, and their genetic makeup. Understanding these differences is essential for developing effective treatments for cancer and for understanding how cancer grows and spreads.