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For most of the cancers, it cannot be told which event was the initial cause. However, with molecular biology, it is possible to characterize the mutations within a tumor, and to a certain extent predict its behavior. For example, about half of the tumors are deficient in the tumor suppressor gene p53, also known as "the guardian of the genome". This is associated with poor prospects for the patient, since those tumor cells are unlikely to go into apoptosis (programmed cell death) after they are damaged by therapy. There are more mutations that make a tumor more malignant. Telomerase mutations enable a tumor cell to divide indefinitely. Other mutations enable the tumor to grow new blood vessels to feed it, or to detach from the surrounding tissue, spreading to other parts of the body.

Malignant tumors such as carcinoma or sarcoma, lymphoma or leukemia originate from a cell or a group of cells in a multicellular organism that has several distinct properties:

evading apoptosis
Unlimited Growth Potential
self-sufficiency of growth factors
insensitivity to anti-growth factors
increased cell division rate
altered differentiation (specialization) ability
no ability for contact inhibition
ability to invade neighbouring tissue
ability to build metastases
ability to promote blood vessel growth (angiogenesis)

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.

Best Practices: Cancer Prevention And Control
National Governor's Association resource designed to provide a clearinghouse of standards related to tumor care.
CancerNausea.com
Presents information to help manage nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
Cancer Options UK
Designed to help patients and families find appropriate treatment options and services. Provides access to a nurse specialist.
Cancer Matters
Contains information, treatment options, and resources on a range of cancers. Also includes links to general resources, and a directory of services and resources located in a number of US cities.
Yahoo Health: Chemotherapy Center
Information on chemotherapy including basic facts, what to expect, side effects and a FAQ.

American cancer society