Cancer is a frightening word that brings great pain and fear to people. But, you know what? Cancer is not a disease, but a group of diseases! They have different origins, characteristics, development processes and methods. In this article, I will introduce you to the basic concept of cancer, as well as the types and characteristics of cancer.
Cancer is a general term for a group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. One of its defining features is the rapid generation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries and can invade adjacent parts of the body and spread to other organs. The latter is called metastasis. Widespread metastases are the leading cause of cancer death.
Cancer occurs due to changes in the genetic material (DNA) within the cells, resulting in dysfunction of the normal function of the cells. These changes can occur naturally or be caused by external factors such as tobacco, chemicals, radiation, viruses, etc. Some changes are benign and don't affect the cells much, but some are malignant and can cause the cells to lose their normal growth control and death mechanisms, resulting in the formation of cancer cells.
Cancer cells have some hallmark features such as self-sufficient growth signals, insensitivity to growth inhibition signals, escape from apoptosis, unlimited proliferative potential, angiogenesis, tissue invasion and metastasis, abnormal energy metabolism, immune evasion, inflammation, genetic instability and mutations, epigenetic alterations, stem cell properties, microenvironment interactions, and immune editing, among others. These characteristics give cancer cells a strong ability to survive and adapt, and also bring great challenges to cancer.
Cancers can be divided into three main categories according to the cancer cells: epithelial cell carcinoma, mesenchymal cell carcinoma, and nerve cell carcinoma.
Epithelial cell carcinoma:
Also known as cancer, it is the most common type of cancer, accounting for more than 80% of all cancers. It originates from the epithelial tissue, the layer of cells that covers the surface and lumen of the body. According to the morphology and function of epithelial cells, epithelial cell carcinoma can be divided into squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma. Common epithelial cell carcinomas include lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, etc.
Mesenchymal cell carcinoma:
Also known as sarcoma, it is a relatively rare type of cancer, accounting for about 1% of all cancers4. It originates from mesenchymal tissue, the layer of cells that supports and connects parts of the body. According to the type of mesenchymal cells, mesenchymal cell carcinoma can be divided into osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, angiosarcoma, etc. Common mesenchymal cell carcinomas include osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, malignant lymphoma, malignant melanoma, etc.
Neuronal cell carcinoma: refers to cancers that originate in nerve tissue, including cancers of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.
According to the type of nerve cell, neuroblastoma can be further divided into glioma, neuroblastoma, schwannoma, pheochromocytoma, etc. Common neurocellular carcinomas include brain tumors, neuroblastomas, pheochromocytomas, etc.
In addition to the above three categories, there are also some special types of cancer, such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, embryonal cancer, etc. Leukemia is a disease in which hematopoietic stem cells or their differentiated white blood cells proliferate malignantly, resulting in an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells in the blood. Multiple myeloma is a disorder in which plasma cells (a type of mature B lymphocytes) proliferate abnormally in the bone marrow and secrete large amounts of monoclonal immunoglobulins. Embryonal cancer refers to cancer derived from embryonic stem cells or germ cells, such as teratoma, choriocarcinoma, gergerminoma, etc.
According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 200 types of cancer that are currently known. Each type of cancer has its own unique biological characteristics and clinical manifestations that require targeted diagnosis and**.
Cancer is a complex multifactorial disease, and its occurrence and progression involve multiple interactions at multiple levels, such as genetic, epigenetic, metabolic, immune, microbiological, and environmental. In order to unravel the molecular mechanisms of cancer and discover effective methods, scientists have conducted extensive research and exploration using a variety of advanced technologies and platforms. Here are some of the cutting-edge technologies and latest research in cancer research:
Whole Genome Sequencing: Whole genome sequencing refers to the technique of measuring and analyzing all the DNA of an organism.
It can reveal genomic variation, copy number variation, structural variation, epigenetic variation, and more in cancer cells, thereby helping to understand the genetics and molecular classification of cancer. Whole genome sequencing can also be used to discover susceptibility genes, prognostic markers, drug targets, and drug resistance mechanisms of cancer, so as to provide guidance for cancer prevention, diagnosis, and drug resistance.
Single-cell sequencing: Single-cell sequencing refers to the technique of measuring and analyzing the DNA or RNA of a single cell.
It can reveal cellular heterogeneity, cell lineage, cell status, cell-to-cell communication, etc. in cancer, thereby helping to understand the processes of cancer initiation, development, metastasis, and drug resistance. Single-cell sequencing can also be used to discover the initiating cells, stem cells, immune cells, etc. of cancer, thus providing a basis for cancer targeting** and immunity**.
Immunity: Immunity refers to the method of using the body's own immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells.
It can overcome the mutation and escape of cancer cells to achieve long-lasting anti-cancer effects. The main forms of immunity** are immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, cells**, immunomodulators, etc. Immunity** has been shown to be effective in a variety of cancer types, such as melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, head and neck cancer, and more.
The above is the cutting-edge technology and the latest research in cancer that I have introduced to you, I hope it will be helpful to you. If you have any other questions about cancer, please feel free to continue asking me. Scientists find the life-and-death switch for cancer cells