Cancer

What is Cancer?

A condition characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells.

Clonal Growth

The process of replication of a single cell that produces thousands of copies of itself in an uncontrolled manner.

Healthy Cells

Cells that have a complicated system of checks and balances controlling growth and division.

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells that can give rise to specialized cells and pose a risk of cancer due to unlimited cell divisions.

Oncogene

A gene that drives a cell to grow and divide regardless of signals from surrounding cells.

Tumor

A mass of extra tissue that may form into either a benign or malignant tumor.

Benign Tumor

A tumor that grows slowly and is unlikely to spread.

Malignant Tumor

A tumor that is capable of spreading to surrounding tissues.

Metastasis

The process of cancer spreading from one part of the body to another.

Carcinomas

Cancers that arise from epithelial tissue.

Sarcomas

Cancers that arise in connective tissue.

Leukemias

Cancers of the blood that originate in the bone marrow or lymphatic system.

Lymphomas

Cancers that originate in lymph nodes or glands.

Carcinogens

Cancer-causing agents that contribute to the majority of cancers.

Surgery

A treatment method that involves removing the cancer or the affected organ.

Chemotherapy

A drug treatment administered to the entire body to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells.

Radiation

A treatment method directed to a specific area to kill cancer cells or control pain.