Cancer without tumors root is a common scenario in which a treatment doesn’t kill the cancer cells completely. In this scenario, chemotherapy-based treatments may kill the cancer cells but leave a core of cells that has the unique ability to regrow a tumor. Fortunately, clinical trials targeting cancer stem cells are underway. Here’s why it’s crucial to destroy tumor stem cells. The dandelion phenomenon: the cancer cells are often present even in the most benign tumors. They may be present in the brain but not in other parts of the body.
A tumour may grow by directly cutting through muscle tissue or by growing between two muscle tissues. This causes the growth of a tumor to squeeze the small blood vessels in the region. Because the tumours’ growth causes low oxygen and blood supply to the area, the normal tissue dies off, making it easier for the cancer cells to grow. This process is called angiogenesis. Without a blood supply, a tumour cannot grow larger than a pin head.
DNA is a complex structure and cells make mistakes in their replication and repair. When DNA errors occur, the resulting cancerous cells may not be able to replace the dying cells. Mismatch-repair genes often fail to function correctly and may damage new cells. Biological balance is tightly regulated, with the number of cells in different tissues being closely regulated to ensure the replacement of dying cells. When these genes are disrupted, the body is no longer able to maintain its balance and the resulting disease is cancer.
When determining the proper treatment for cancer, doctors take into account the location of the primary tumor and any risk factors the patient may have. They also perform imaging tests and pathology tests to identify whether or not the cancer has spread to other organs. A cancer is diagnosed when the cells in the body develop mutations in the DNA, which tells it where to grow and reproduce. When this occurs, these abnormal cells build up in a tumor, and then spread throughout the body.
