What
is Cancer?
Cancer is
characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.
In a healthy adult, millions of cells grow, divide and die
each day to replace worn-out or dying cells or to repair injury. This
process is tightly controlled. Should the genetic material of a particular
cell become damaged as a result of smoking, pollutants in the
environment, or other factors, that cell can begin to multiply
uncontrollably. Over time, these cancer cells can accumulate and form
tumors, which can harm the body in a number of ways.
Tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue. Some tumors secrete hormones or
enzymes that disrupt the body's normal functions. As tumors grow,
they develop networks of blood vessels to provide them with
nourishment. They begin to rob healthy cells of essential
nutrients.
For
specific information and interactive tools, click here. See
also: Prostate
Cancer, Breast
Cancer
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Research News
Featuring Harvard Medical School and Affiliated Hospitals
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for all kinds of tumors.
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HU Gazette on Cancer
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Scientific Reports
From HMS Faculty Newsletter Focus
Small Synthetic Molecule curbs
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Shift into Neutral Mechanism
found in benign disease.
Anti-inflammatories’ Anticancer Role Aspirin,
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Attacking Cancer’s Sweet Tooth Strategy
may be effective against tumors.
Molecule that Inflames Cancer May Also Dampen it's Spread Some
therapies against Akt Could Encourage Metastasis
Studies Chip Away at Sex Hormone Roles in
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Smart cancer drug passes
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Model for melanoma fingers
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Angiogenesis Inhibitors Revived, Revealed in Progress Against Cancer
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Dana Farber/ Harvard Cancer Center
