1. The basic principles of tumor biology

From greek.doctor
  • Etiological factors contributing to cancer development
    • Environmental exposure
      • Asbestos -> mesothelioma, RCC
      • Formaldehyde -> nose and nasopharyngeal cc
    • Radiation
      • Those with childhood leukaemia often develop solid tumours 10 – 20 years after the radiotherapy
    • Lifestyle problems
      • Smoking -> lung cancer, head and neck cancer
      • Alcohol -> head and neck cancer, oesophageal cancer
    • Alimentary factors
      • Obesity, diabetes -> CRC
    • Hygienic problems
      • -> cancer of glans penis
    • Infections
      • HPV -> cervical cc
      • EBV -> nasopharyngeal carcinoma
      • Aflatoxin -> HCC
    • Hormonal effects
      • Oestrogen -> breast cc, endometrial cc
      • Testosterone -> prostate cc
    • Genetic background
      • BCL/ABL => CML
      • APC => CRC
  • Biological factors contributing to cancer development
    • Trouble in communication between cells
    • Absence of contact inhibition
    • Uncontrolled growth and cell dividing
    • Omitting the integrity of neighbouring cells, tissues and organs
    • Neo-vascularization and aberrant blood vessels
    • The possibility of penetrating blood vessels
    • Disturbing the metabolic activity of the organ
    • Evolving paraneoplastic symptoms