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A cell that degenerates into a tumor cell does usually not acquire all these properties at once, but its daughter cells are selected to build them. This process is called cellular evolution. A first step in the development of a tumor cell is usually a small change in the DNA, often a point mutation, which leads, among other things, to a genetic instability of the cell. The instability increases to a point where the cell loses whole chromosomes, or has double ones. Also, the DNA methylation pattern of the cell changes, activating and deactivating genes more or less at random. Cells that divide at a high rate, such as stem cells, show a higher risk of becoming tumor cells than those which divide less or not at all, for example neurons. If the initial tumor cell (or group of tumor cells) is not removed by the immune system, it will develop into cancer.

In cellular model systems, cells are exposed to carcinogenic influences (chemicals, radiation). In these systems, the first signs of a cell developing into a tumor cell are:

  • Immortality. The usual number of cell divisions for a mammalian cell is 50-60 (cell senescence), then it ceases to divide. Tumor cells keep dividing forever.
  • Altered morphology.
  • Building of cellular clusters (Foci).
  • Loss of contact inhibition.
  • Low or no need for growth factors.

Items 2-4 (above) can sometimes be traced to mutations in genes that result in a disruption of cell adhesion. Some cell adhesion proteins are oncogenes.

Carcinogenesis (lit.: creation of cancer) is the process of derangement of the rate of cell division.

  • Cancer Monthly
    Presents information on research results.
  • CancerEducation
    Disseminates educational programming in a multimedia electronic clips format. Aimed at both a lay and professional audience.
  • CancerFit
    Details the activities of a program at the Sedona Racquet Club in Arizona. Designed to help survivors maintain good physical, emotional and spiritual fitness.
  • Wikicities: Cancer
    An open-publishing wiki portal for those interested in this topic. Available for viewing or editing.
  • MyOwnBiopsy
    Provides "translations" of cancer pathology reports from medical jargon into understandable lay terms.