5 Characteristics of Cancer Cells

Most cancer cells are transformed from normal cells; their characteristics are very different from those of normal cells. Let’s briefly describe these characteristics of cancer cells as follows:

1. Cancer cells grow, divide, and die very differently from normal cells
Unlike normal cells, which grow, function, divide, and die according to nature’s rules, cancer cells are rebellion as opposed to normal cells. Under normal biological environment, normal cells grow in accord, but cancer cells grow faster and they can grow without a complete spectrum of nutrients. Secondly, normal cells can only divide for a limit number of times, but cancer cells have the ability to divide indefinitely. Thirdly, normal cells will age and die according to nature’s design when the time is up (apoptosis), but cancer cells don’t die by natural cause.

2. Cancer cells can create a phenomenon, angiogenesis Angiogenesis is the formation and development of new blood vessels by cancer cells for themselves. It begins when a tumor is growing faster than it can suck up the nutrients from its immediate surroundings. In order to satisfy the ever increasing appetite to continue its growth, cancer cells produce and send out special signals to form new blood vessels nearby in order to obtain the required nutrients for continued fast growth.

 
3. Cancer cells metastasize
After a tumor opens up the new channels (new blood vessels) for more nutrients, the tumor can also uses the new channels to transport cancer cells to other parts of the body and grow there. Cancer cells can also transfer to other location by lymphatic system. This process of cancer cell relocation is called metastasis.

 
4. Cancer cells have different physical properties as compared to normal cells
In general, cancer cells grow and divide without a complete set of signals as required by normal cell growth. In addition, there are several differences in their physical properties. For example, cancer cells have lower adhesion of cell to cell and cell to extra cellular matrix. This makes it easier for cancer cells to grow even when they are surrounded by other cells. In addition, this characteristic makes it easier for cancer cells to move around as compared to normal cells; this is part of the reason cancer cells can move to other tissues or organs. Another difference is that cancer cells secret specific enzymes that allow them to invade neighbouring tissues and migrate.

5. Cancer cells do not have a good cell-to-cell communication
Last but not least is the cell-to-cell intercommunication. Cell-to-cell communication is very important for normal cells to maintain the integrity, proper function, and coordination of different activities. In addition, intercellular communication can amplify and/or propagate signals. In short, normal cells communicate well with one another to coordinate and maintain normal activities. However, many cancer cells do not communicate like normal cells do.



© Jiajiu Shaw, 2015

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I am writing, "IS CANCER IN US", to be published in about two months.