cancer cells and technologies

cancer cell

nucleus tells cell to stop growing but cell continues to divide

tumor

rapid growing mass of cells

benign tumor

cells stay together and have no effect on surrounding cells, noncancerous

malignant tumor

interferes with functions of nearby cells, may destory surrounding tissues

carcinogens

cancer causing factors, e.g., smoking

cell specialization

single cell that divides to form special cells with different structures/functions

metastasis

cancer cells break away from a malignant tumor and spread to body through blood or lymph

imagining technologies

shows internal structures and possible tumors

endoscopy

uses a camera on a tube to view inside organs

biopsy

removes a small tissue sample to check for abnormal cells

genetic testing

looks for inherited mutations that increase cancer risks.

blood tests

looks for inherited mutations that increase cancer risksu

tumor surgery

physically removes tumor

radiation therapy

destorys cancer cells with high energy rays

chemotherapy

boosts immune system to attack cancer cells

hormone therapy

blocks hormones that certain cancers need to grow