Cancer Biology Flashcards
1
Q
Describe in basic terms how cancer cells arise
A
They are caused by accumulated mutations in somatic cells
Mutations are caused by initiators which are mutagenic agents and promoters which cause cell prolfieration
These both result in an expanded population of monoclonal mutant cells
A neoplasm emerges from this monoclonal population through a process called progression. This is characterised by accumulation of more mutations
Genetic alterations affect the proto oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes leading to increased rate of cell division
