Understanding cancer
“Cancer is an uncontrolled clonal proliferation of cells that can arise from virtually any cell type in the body” (Huether, 2008, p.225). Cancer begins on a cellular level, when cellular control pathways are altered. It is understood for cancer to occur a number of normal cellular pathways must be altered for the cell to become malignant (Huether, 2008, p.228). A normal cell has signals to stop its growth called the tumor suppressor gene (Huether, 2008, p.228). A normal cell also has a mechanism to self destruct if its growth becomes excessive (Huether, 2008, p.229). Cancer occurs when these protective cellular mechanisms are altered on the genes of a cell by genetic events that cause mutations (Huether, 2008, p.230).When these normal genes are exposed to carcinogens over time, this can cause genetic events that inactivate the tumor suppression gene found in cells, interrupt programmed cell death(apoptosis) and DNA repair (Huether, 2008, p.233). When these cellular controls are interrupted the cell in essence becomes immortal with unlimited cellular division, and a tumor is formed (Huether, 2008, p.231).
If a tumor is not detected in the early stages through health screening it has the potential for metastasis. “Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the site of the original tumor to distant tissues and organs throughout the body” (Huether, 2008, p.238). The original tumor begins to grow it requires a blood supply and nutrition to continue proliferation. Through the genetic mutation the tumor begins to secrete VEGF a hormone that stimulates new blood vessel growth. This is referred to as angiogenesis and is usually only limited to wounds and the uterus” (Huether, 2008, p.238). As the tumor grows and invades surrounding tissues it begins to eliminate any structural barriers to its growth by releasing proteotyltic enzymes that digest structural barriers. The tumor comes into contact with more cells causing changes that make the tumor cells slippery and increasing motility (Huether, 2008, p.238). As these slippery tumor cells invade surrounding tissues they end up in the lymphatic system and blood vessels. Through the lymphatic system and blood vessels the cancer cells are transported to other organs and tissues and this allows for the establishment of a metastatic tumor (Huether, 2008, p.238).
It has been determined that metastatic cancer cells follow predictable anatomic pathways. This is beneficial knowledge for treatment. It is also comforting to know that most tumor cells do not have the ability to metastasis because of the defense mechanism in the body (Huether, 2008, p.240).Through early detection the outcome for individual is diagnosed with this devastating illness is much greater.
Huether, M. R. (2008). Understanding pathophysiology. St Louis: Mosby.
If a tumor is not detected in the early stages through health screening it has the potential for metastasis. “Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the site of the original tumor to distant tissues and organs throughout the body” (Huether, 2008, p.238). The original tumor begins to grow it requires a blood supply and nutrition to continue proliferation. Through the genetic mutation the tumor begins to secrete VEGF a hormone that stimulates new blood vessel growth. This is referred to as angiogenesis and is usually only limited to wounds and the uterus” (Huether, 2008, p.238). As the tumor grows and invades surrounding tissues it begins to eliminate any structural barriers to its growth by releasing proteotyltic enzymes that digest structural barriers. The tumor comes into contact with more cells causing changes that make the tumor cells slippery and increasing motility (Huether, 2008, p.238). As these slippery tumor cells invade surrounding tissues they end up in the lymphatic system and blood vessels. Through the lymphatic system and blood vessels the cancer cells are transported to other organs and tissues and this allows for the establishment of a metastatic tumor (Huether, 2008, p.238).
It has been determined that metastatic cancer cells follow predictable anatomic pathways. This is beneficial knowledge for treatment. It is also comforting to know that most tumor cells do not have the ability to metastasis because of the defense mechanism in the body (Huether, 2008, p.240).Through early detection the outcome for individual is diagnosed with this devastating illness is much greater.
Huether, M. R. (2008). Understanding pathophysiology. St Louis: Mosby.
