What is Cancer?
Cancer is the general name for a collection of more than 100 diseases which involve abnormal cell growth.
Fundamental
Our human body is made up of tiny organisms called cells.
These are the body's basic building blocks,
and are used in just about everything, from blood to organs.
Cells have an amazing ability to create new cells just by growing and dividing. Normally, this process only happens when replacements are needed for worn-out or dying cells, and to repair injuries.
Sometimes, these processes may go awry. New cells may be formed when not needed. Conversely, old cells which may need to be replaced do not allow themselves to be.
This happens because genetic material inside the cell, known as DNA, may become damaged or altered (a process known as mutation) and this changing the way the cell functions.
Consequence
Where new cells are not needed, or when old cells are not replaced as they should, they may sometimes combine together to form a tissue mass called a tumor.
Two types of tumors exist:
Tumors that just sit around doing nothing are called benign tumors. These tumors do not affect other cells and don't spread to other parts of the body.
On the other hand, tumors that are malignant are extremely dangerous. These are also known as cancerous tumors. They may attack surrounding tissues and may also spread to other parts of the body (a process called metastasis)
Cancer is the general name for a collection of more than 100 diseases which involve abnormal cell growth.
Fundamental
Our human body is made up of tiny organisms called cells.
These are the body's basic building blocks,
and are used in just about everything, from blood to organs.
Cells have an amazing ability to create new cells just by growing and dividing. Normally, this process only happens when replacements are needed for worn-out or dying cells, and to repair injuries.
Sometimes, these processes may go awry. New cells may be formed when not needed. Conversely, old cells which may need to be replaced do not allow themselves to be.
This happens because genetic material inside the cell, known as DNA, may become damaged or altered (a process known as mutation) and this changing the way the cell functions.
Consequence
Where new cells are not needed, or when old cells are not replaced as they should, they may sometimes combine together to form a tissue mass called a tumor.
Two types of tumors exist:
Tumors that just sit around doing nothing are called benign tumors. These tumors do not affect other cells and don't spread to other parts of the body.
On the other hand, tumors that are malignant are extremely dangerous. These are also known as cancerous tumors. They may attack surrounding tissues and may also spread to other parts of the body (a process called metastasis)
0 comments: