Cancer and activation of oncogenes

how is cancer categorised

uncontrolled cell growth, multiplication and spread

why are malignant tumours life threatening

they can invade and destroy surrounding tissues they can also spread to other parts of the body

what is cancer prevalence

the number of people who have received a diagnosis of cancer and are alive reflecting the incidence and associated survival pattern

what are some of the cause of cancer

Genetic mutations, environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and infections.

what are the categories of genetic changes in cancer

activation of proto oncogenes into oncogenes and the inactivation of tumour suppressor genes

what are oncogenes

they are the genes that drive cancer when they are switched on caused by specific mutations

how do tumour suppressor genes drive cancer

when they are switched off or lost this will cause tumours to grow caused by random mutations

what are the ways a protooncogene can become an oncogene

point mutation, gene amplification and chromosomal translocation

how does a point mutation work

the mutation will cause the protein to become hyperactive or alter the promotor producing to much driving uncontrolled cell growth

how does gene amplification work

over expression of a gene can make the proto oncogene behave like an oncogene over expression results in increased function

how does chromosomal translocation work

will bring 2 previously unlinked segments of the genome together happens when DNA breaks and the wrong chromosomes are joined resulting in a new fusion protein or induces inappropriate expression of a protein

how does the mutation within TP53 cause cancer

TP53 is a checkpoint and will stop the cell cycle when there is damage to DNA and will trigger apoptosis but when this is mutated the cells will loose this checkpoint and the cells with damage will continue to divide