National cancer society

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Treatment of cancer typically involves surgery to remove tumors and nearby lymph nodes to which the cancer may have spread, combined with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. The latter two target cells in the body that are rapidly dividing. This includes the cancer cells but also certain healthy ones, which is the reason for the severe side effects of these treatments.

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.

The field of medicine concerned with the treatment of cancer is oncology. Cancer has become an important problem with the rise in life expectancy, as the abovementioned mutations become more likely the longer a person lives. Though great progress in treatment has been made, most cancers in advanced stages remain incurable and ultimately fatal.

Cancer.com
Provides treatment information, support group listings, online education, decision-making resources, physician locator services and risk assessment tools.
Target Tumors
Information about targeted therapy approach in relation to a number of solid tumors.
Ladies Home Journal: Cancer
Links to articles about skin and breast tumors.
MyOwnBiopsy
Provides "translations" of cancer pathology reports from medical jargon into understandable lay terms.
A Notebook Guide For Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients
Information for people who have just received the diagnosis. Includes links, a message board and details about the author.

National cancer society