Normally, human cells grow and reproduce (through a process called cell division) to form new cells according to the body’s needs. When cells get old or damaged, they die, and new cells take their place.
Sometimes this orderly process breaks down, and abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply when they shouldn’t. These cells can form a tumor, which is a lump of tissue. Tumors can be cancerous or non-cancerous (benign).
The difference between cancer cells and non-cancer cells
Sel cancer differ from normal cells in many ways. For example, cancer cells:
– Grow in the absence of a signal telling them to grow. Normal cells only grow when they receive these signals
– Attacks the nearby area and spreads to other areas of the body. Normal cells stop growing when they meet other cells, and most normal cells don’t move around the body
– Tells the blood vessels to grow towards the tumor. These blood vessels supply the tumor with oxygen and nutrients and remove waste products from the tumor.
(This is an image of a benign tumor with a malignant (malignant) tumor. Photo: Special Doc.)
– Trick the immune system into helping cancer cells stay alive and grow. For example, some cancer cells convince immune cells to protect tumors, not attack them
– Accumulate many changes in their chromosomes, such as duplication and deletion of chromosomal parts. Some cancer cells have twice the normal number of chromosomes
– Rely on various types of nutrition from normal cells. In addition, some cancer cells produce energy from nutrients in a way that is different from most normal cells. This allows cancer cells to grow faster
Often times, cancer cells rely so heavily on these abnormal behaviors that they cannot survive without them. Researchers have taken advantage of this fact, developing therapies that target the abnormal features of cancer cells.
For example, some cancer therapies prevent blood vessels from growing toward the tumor, essentially starving the tumor of the nutrients it needs.
Non-cancerous tissue changes
Not every change in body tissue is cancer. However, some tissue changes can develop into cancer if left untreated. The following are some examples of tissue changes that are not cancer but, in some cases, are monitored for they could become cancer:
1. Hyperplasia
Occurs when cells in a tissue multiply faster than normal and extra cells accumulate.
2. Dysplasia
Conditions that are more advanced than hyperplasia. In dysplasia, there is also a buildup of extra cells. But the cells look abnormal and there is a change in the way the tissue is organized. An example of dysplasia is an abnormal mole (called a dysplastic nevus) that forms on the skin.
3. Carcinoma in situ
Conditions are even further. Although it’s sometimes called stage 0 cancer, it’s not cancer because the abnormal cells don’t invade nearby tissue the way cancer cells do.
But because some carcinomas in situ can become cancerous, they are usually treated. It’s always a good idea to consult a doctor if you find something strange in order to get the right treatment right away.
Nandhita Nur Fadjriah
(TIN)
