CANCER – CELLS GONE WILD!

Adapted from PPt by Karobi Moitra (Ph.D)NCI Frederick , NIHCancer Inflammation Program Human Genetics Section Frederick MD.

The summary color on the following slides is red; vocabulary words are underlined!

Is cancer a single disease

or

a group ofdiseases ?

Cancer is a group of related diseases which are characterized by uncontrolled cellular growth

and division.

Fourth orlater mutation

Thirdmutation

Secondmutation

Firstmutation

Cell Suicide or Apoptosis

Cell damage—no repair

Earliest Mention of Cancer 3000 BC

The earliest written

description of cancer known to exist is the Edwin Smith Papyrus. It describes eight cases of breast

tumors or ulcers. Image http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/AncientEgyptianMummy-Antjau-CloseUp-ROM.png

Origin of The Word “Cancer”The origin of the word cancer is credited to the Greek physician Hippocrates (460–370 B.C.), considered the "Father of Medicine." Hippocrates used the terms carcinos and carcinoma to describe non-ulcer forming and ulcer-forming tumors. In Greek, these words refer to a crab, most likely applied to the disease because the finger-like spreading projections from a cancer called to mind the shape of a crab.

The Roman physician, Celsus (28-50 B.C.), later translated the Greek term into cancer, the Latin word for crab.

Galen (130-200 A.D.), another Roman physician, used the word oncos (Greek for swelling) to describe tumors. Galen's term is now used as a part of the name for cancer specialists -- oncologists.

Cancer is uncontrolled cell division; it may be caused by environmental factors and/or changes in enzyme production.

Cancerous cells divide when they should not divide and they lack the normal control systems to shut off

unwanted cell division.

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Cell death = Cell growth

Cell death < Cell growth

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In most cases, cancer forms a cell mass called a tumor.

Breast Mammogram Image http://cdn.sheknows.com/filter/l/gallery/mammogram_breast_cancer_tumor.jpg

Lung Carcinoma Image http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lung_cancer.jpg

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Benign tumor – has restricted growth and tends to remain in one area. EX: wart.

Malignant tumor - does not remain localized butinvades other tissue and gives rise to secondary tumors in other parts of the body (metastasis).

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Diagram of Metastasis

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http://www.nature.com/nrc/journal/v4/n9/images/nrc1430-f3.jpg

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Carcinogen - substances and exposures that can lead to cancer • Radiation – including the sun• Alcohol• Engine exhaust• Tobacco Smoke• Certain chemicals

Cancer can also be caused by random mutation and exposure to certain viruses.

Causes of Cancer