Normal Cell Behavior
Your body is made up of trillions of cells. These cells multiply, divide and expire constantly. In healthy individuals, cells complete life cycles and follow distinct patterns. Normal cells have their own identity and obey the rules of contact inhibition. They will self-destruct if genetic abnormalities are found. Normal cells adhere to each other and expire at the end of their life cycles.
Cancer Cells
Cancer cells are not typical or normal. They do not follow the rules of contact inhibition, adherence or self-destruction. They contain faulty DNA, propagate rapidly and secrete special chemicals in order to establish new blood supplies that will feed growing tumors.
Contact Inhibition
Contact inhibition causes normal cells to stop growing, or proliferating, when a cell makes contact with another cell. This response ensures that there is no overgrowth produced by replicating cells. In this way, contact inhibition controls cell growth by allowing cells to replicate as old cells die but keeps unnecessary tissues from forming in their place.
Cancer Cell Growth and Angiogenesis
Cancer cells do not operate under this principle and quickly take over the area in which they are growing. In fact, cancer cells grow until entire organ systems are overtaken. To do this, cancer cells secrete angiogenesis growth factor, which causes new blood vessels to form and surround the cancer cells. This gives the cancerous tissue its own nutrition supply. The blood vessels will encircle existing organs, rendering them unable to function.
Inability to Adhere
Another characteristic of cancer cells is that all cells are exact replicas of each other. There is no differentiation or cell specialization. Cancer cells also lack the ability to adhere to each other. This lack of adherence enables cells to move around your body and take up residence in different areas.
Metastasis
When the abnormal tissue moves to another area of the body, the process is called metastasis. Cancer cells spread through the body via the lymphatic and circulatory systems. Cells will also move through various cavities as they grow, such as the sinuses, lungs and abdomen. The lymphatic system is the typical route cancer chooses because it is very easy for the cells to travel through the system's vast network. Once cancerous cells get into the lymphatic system and lymph nodes, it is considered to be systemic. This is typically fatal as the cancer is impossible to remove completely. Cancer will also move through your circulatory system, or bloodstream. With the plethora of veins to choose from, cancer can quickly spread.
Prevention
After the cells are in a new location, they begin to divide rapidly. The same process occurs as in the original location. Blood supplies are established so the cells can thrive and grow. Metastasis explains how cancer is found in several areas of the body and yet the patient did not realize what occurred until it was too late. Prevention is the key in controlling cancer. There are no cures but there are things you can do to minimize your risk. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and see your doctor for regular checkups. If the cancer is found while in its early stages, the chance of a good outcome is greatly improved.
Tags: cancer cells, each other, adhere each, adhere each other, also move, also move through, blood vessels
