DEFINITION OF CANCER

Cancer is a term used to describe a large group of diseases that are characterized by a
cellular malfunction. Healthy cells are programmed to “know what to do and when to do
it”. Cancerous cells do not have this programming and therefore grow and replicate out of
control. They also serve no physiological function.

Cancer cells, unlike benign tumor cells, show invasion and metastasis. It is also highly
anaplastic. This term covers two main categories, namely carcinomas (malignant tumor) and
sarcomas, but is sometimes used as a synonym for the term carcinoma.

Some cancer cells also acquire the ability to penetrate and infiltrate surrounding normal
tissues in the local area, forming a new tumor. The newly formed "daughter" tumor in the
adjacent site within the tissue is called a local metastasis. Therefore, metastatis or
metastatic disease is the spread of a disease from one organ or part to another non-
adjacent organ or part.

SOURCES

Dorland Medical Dictionary 28th edition

http://www.news-medical.net/health/Metastasis-What-is-Metastasis.aspx