Introduction

Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell

growth with the potential to invade or spread to other
parts of the body.
Not all tumors are cancerous; benign tumors do not
spread to other parts of the body. Possible signs and
symptoms include a lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged
cough, unexplained weight loss and a change in bowel
movements. While these symptoms may indicate cancer,
they may have other causes.
Over 100 types of cancers affect humans.
These diseases 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 replicate and grow
out of control.
Cancerous cells together are called Neoplasm.
 Neoplasm
HUMAN CANCER CELLS
Cancer cells are cells that divide relentlessly, forming
solid tumors or flooding the blood with abnormal cells.
Cancer cells have distinguishing histological features
visible under the microscope. The nucleus is often large
and irregular, and the cytoplasm may also display
abnormalities.
The shape, size, protein composition, and texture of the
nucleus are often altered in malignant cells. The nucleus
may acquire grooves, folds or indentations, chromatin
may aggregate or disperse, and the nucleolus can
become enlarged.
Different combinations of abnormalities are
characteristic of different cancer types, to the extent that
nuclear appearance can be used as a marker in cancer
diagnostics and staging.
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NORMAL AND CANCER
CELLS

Normal cells Cancer cells

Cell reproduction
Cell reproduction is needed to These cells may have gene
replenish the cell population that mutations or chromosome
ages or becomes damaged or mutations that affect the
destroyed. Normal cells reproduce reproductive properties of the cells.
properly. They don't experience biological
aging and maintain their ability to
replicate and grow.
Cell communication
Cells communicate with other cells cancer cells lose the ability to
through chemical signals. These Communicate with other cells
signals help normal cells to know through chemical signals. They
when to reproduce and when to also lose sensitivity to anti-growth
stop reproducing. Cell signals are signals from surrounding cells.
usually transmitted into a cell by These signals normally restrict
specific proteins. cellular growth.
Cell specialisation
Normal cells have the ability to Cancer cells are unspecialized and
differentiate or develop into do not develop into cells of a
specialized cells. For example, cells specific type. Similar to stem cells,
can develop into heart cells, brain cancer cells proliferate or replicate
cells, lung cells or any other cell of many times, for long periods of
a specific type. time.
Cell death
Normal cells have the ability to When the genes in a normal cell
self-destruct when they become are damaged beyond repair, certain
damaged or diseased. Cells break DNA checking mechanisms signal
down and are disposed of by white for cell destruction.
blood cells.
MORPHOLOGICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NORMAL AND
CANCER CELLS

Normal cells Cancer cells

Large cytoplasm Small cytoplasm
Single nucleus Multiple nuclei
Single nucleolus Multiple and large nucleoli
Fine chromatin Coarse chromatin
CANCER CELL DIVISION
Cell division is a normal process used by the body for
growth and repair. A parent cell divides to form two
daughter cells, and these daughter cells are used to build
new tissue, or to replace cells that have died as a result
of ageing or damage. Healthy cells stop dividing when
there is no longer a need for more daughter cells, but
cancer cells continue to produce copies.
Cancer is unchecked cell growth. Mutations in genes
can cause cancer by accelerating cell division rates or
inhibiting normal controls on the system, such as cell
cycle arrest or programmed cell death. As a mass of
cancerous cells grows, it can develop into a tumor.

Tumor formation

cancer development
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NORMAL AND CANCER CELL
DIVISION
Causes of cancer

◆ Tobacco use is the cause of about 22% of cancer deaths.

◆ Another 10% is due to obesity, poor diet, lack of physical
activity, and excessive drinking of alcohol.
◆ Other factors include certain infections, exposure to
ionizing radiation and environmental pollutants.
◆ In the developing world nearly 20% of cancers are due to
infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human
papillomavirus (HPV).
◆ Approximately 5-10% of cancers are due to inherited
genetic defects from a person's parents.
These factors act, at least partly, by changing the genes of a
cell. Typically many genetic changes are required before
cancer develops.
 TYPES OF CANCER AND SYMPTOMS
Most common type of cancer :
1.Lung Cancer
A cancer that begins in the lungs and most often occurs in people
who smoke.
Symptoms- Cough (often with blood), Chest pain, Wheezing and
weight loss.
Prevention- Avoid smoking and carcinogens at work, Eat a diet
full of fruits and vegetables, Exercise most days of
the week.
2.Breast Cancer
A cancer that forms in the cells of breasts.
Symptoms- Bloody nipple discharge, discomfort, inverted nipple,
lump formation near breasts.
Prevention- Keep weight in check and be physically fit.
Avoid alcohol and smoking.
Avoid birth control pills and regular screening.
Avoid post-menopausal hormones.

3.Prostate Cancer
A cancer in a man's prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland that
produces seminal fluid.
Symptoms- Urinary problems, Blood in the urine and semen.
Pain in the hips, pelvis, spine or upper leg. Pain or
discomfort during ejaculation.
Prevention- Enough exercise. Maintaining a healthy and a
Balanced diet. Ensuring regular ejaculation. Having
green tea regularly.
4.Throat Cancer
Throat cancer refers to cancer of the voice box, the vocal cords,
and other parts of the throat, such as the tonsils and
oropharynx.
Symptoms:- Respiratory symptoms like coughing, Blood
wheezing, or shortness of breath, weight loss,
weakness, fever, a change in voice, Chest pain, ear
pain, hoarseness, swollen nodes in the neck,
difficulty in swallowing.
Prevention: Don't smoke, check for radon at home, regular
exercise, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, limit
the intake of alcohol, and have a cup of green tea.
 CANCER TREATMENT
Cancer can be treated in the following ways:
➤Surgery
Surgery, when used to treat cancer, is a procedure in which a
surgeon removes cancer from the patient's body.
➤Radiation Therapy
It is a type of cancer treatment that uses high doses of
radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
➤Chemotherapy
It is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer
cells.
➤Immunotherapy
It is a type of cancer treatment that helps your immune
system fight cancer.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

1.www.cancerresearchuk.org
2. www.wikipedia.org
3.www.cancer.gov
4.www.medlineplus.gov
5.www.cancer.org