What Is Cancer and Its Causes - Essay Example

Biology Project


1. What is Cancer and its Causes? How does cancer begin and spread? Chose a specific cancer.

United States National Cancer Institute (1: par 1-2) defines cancer as a term used to describe diseases by which cells divide uncontrollably and are able to reach and invade other tissues. According to the institute, several studies discovered that there are more than 100 distinct types of cancer and most are identified based on the organ or type of cell that they start; it can migrate to other body parts via the blood and lymph systems. Obviously, The body is composed of several cell types; when these cells become old, worn, or damaged, they naturally die and new cells are formed to replace the latter. However, in the case of cancer, there is abnormal growth and cell division. This phenomenon is brought about by the genetic material called DNA which has been altered or damaged and consequently produces mutations. The moment this happened, there is no death of cells when they should; later, new cells form regardless of whether the body needs them or not. The extra cells that form can develop into a mass of tissue that is popularly known as a Tumor. A tumor (Cancer Council, 1: 6) may exist as a lump; it can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (not cancerous).



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Cancer cells that grow larger than “pin's head” typically have their own blood vessel. Occasionally, they go away from the primary location of cancer either by the region of the blood or lymph vessels and later begin to invade other organs of the body. At the new site, they continue to grow to form another tumor (Cancer Council, 1: 7).
The specific type of cancer is Lymphoma. Lymphoma (Michigan Cancer Consortium, 1:1) affects white blood cells known as lymphocytes. These are immune cells that are basically working to protect the body from getting. In lymphoma, malignant cells are formed and may accumulate to develop into tumors. Later it enlarges; making lymph nodes seem swollen while other cancer cells spread to other parts of the lymphatic system like bone marrow, spleen, skin, or mucosal linings of the stomach.
Common symptoms caused by this illness are Drenching night sweats, Persistent fevers or chills, Persistent skin rashes and itching, Unexplained weight loss, Unexplained fatigue, and Painless swelling of lymph nodes (Kuppers, 2:34). Lymphoma is the most commonly existing blood cancer, and in fact, it is the third common childhood cancer. Since the 1970s, the incidence rate of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) with each year has increased by 4% annually (Karl, 1:par

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2. Research the mechanism of that particular cancer i.e. what enzymes, proteins are involved).
Basically, lymphomas are cancers that begin with the “malignant transformation” of a WBC lymphocyte in the areas of the lymphatic system. Many lymphomas are known to be due to specific genetic mutations.
Lymphocytes recognize pathogens (infections and abnormal cells) and destroy them. There are 2 major subtypes of lymphocytes: B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes, also referred to as B cells and T cells. B lymphocytes are much affected in individuals with lymphoma; Note that the former produce antibodies. When a cancer-causing agent like a virus is detected, the T cells, are immediately activated, which in turn kills pathogens directly. Part of the mechanisms of T cells is the immune system control (controlling over-activity or under-activity). B and T lymphocytes are the ones fighting off an invader. Cancer occurs the moment normal cells undergo a transition whereby they grow at the same time and multiply uncontrollably. Consequently, as the cells continue to multiply, formation of mass or tumor may also be formed. Tumors usually invade tissue spaces and areas surrounding it; if lymphomas are not controlled, they can progress on and/or invade the neighboring tissues or distant organs (emedicinehealth.com; 7).
Tyrosine (protein) kinase and phosphoinositide (lipid) kinase are the common enzymes
which has a high affinity to cells and further promotes mutation. The two key enzymes are involved in the growth of cancer cells (Apsel, 117). Marhaba & Zoller (3: 211-31) added that CD44 transmembrane glycoproteins are classified under the families of adhesion biomolecules that have originally been characterized as mediator lymphocyte homing to the peripheral lymphoid tissues. Furthermore, the molecules, under certain selective conditions, may serve to initiate metastatic tumor cell distribution. Read More