Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is There Any Evidence To Support The Two Hallmarks Of Cancer?
Question: Academic question.
Two of the "hallmarks of cancer" are uncontrollable growth and evading death. Apart from telemeres not shortening and no signals between cancer cells and other tissue cells, is there any other evidence to support this?
I have seen (though insight meditation) that cancer cells grow at a different rate and they can become dormant sometimes and grow fast at others but I don't see this as uncontrollable. What scientific evidence is there to say uncontrollable?
Also cancer cells do sometimes die, but they are built for a purpose which I have seen is to build a cell barrier for protection. It is an erroneous action by stem cells and immune system. Most cancer cells that are part of the barrier are not highly active as many other body cells because the job they are doing is to be a barrier and not to produce something. Again what scientific evidence that they are immortal?
Two of the "hallmarks of cancer" are uncontrollable growth and evading death. Apart from telemeres not shortening and no signals between cancer cells and other tissue cells, is there any other evidence to support this?
I have seen (though insight meditation) that cancer cells grow at a different rate and they can become dormant sometimes and grow fast at others but I don't see this as uncontrollable. What scientific evidence is there to say uncontrollable?
Also cancer cells do sometimes die, but they are built for a purpose which I have seen is to build a cell barrier for protection. It is an erroneous action by stem cells and immune system. Most cancer cells that are part of the barrier are not highly active as many other body cells because the job they are doing is to be a barrier and not to produce something. Again what scientific evidence that they are immortal?
Brief Answer:
Your guess is correct
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You have guessed it correctly. What we teach in medical colleges is telomeres shorten and mistakes [mutations] will happen in the functional part of the DNA.
The signal transduction between cancer cell other tissue cells we do not know, we are ignorant in this field.
In fact what we know today is that cancer cells grow slower than normal cells. Also cancer cells may stop growing what we say dormant.
Yes cancer cells can die. They are not as active as normal cells. They are not immortal.
Have a nice day
Your guess is correct
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You have guessed it correctly. What we teach in medical colleges is telomeres shorten and mistakes [mutations] will happen in the functional part of the DNA.
The signal transduction between cancer cell other tissue cells we do not know, we are ignorant in this field.
In fact what we know today is that cancer cells grow slower than normal cells. Also cancer cells may stop growing what we say dormant.
Yes cancer cells can die. They are not as active as normal cells. They are not immortal.
Have a nice day
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Since we have touched on signal transduction, I would like to ask what signalling goes for a tumor to get the vascular system to begin growing blood vessels into the tumor mass? Is this signalling between blood vessel cells or does it involve the immune system cells?
Brief Answer:
neo-angiogenesis factor is secreted by tumor
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The tumor cells secrete what is called as neo-angiogenesis factor.This will stimulate the vascular system so that the vessels grow faster than other cells in the tumor.
This process is severe in fast growing tumors, so that these vessels branch at obtuse angles or they do not branch and vessel diameter is not in order.
[Normally vessels branch in tree branching pattern with acute angles and decreasing caliber distally].
Signalling is generated in the cancer it self, it will not obey other systems.
Hope You are satisfied with the answer
neo-angiogenesis factor is secreted by tumor
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The tumor cells secrete what is called as neo-angiogenesis factor.This will stimulate the vascular system so that the vessels grow faster than other cells in the tumor.
This process is severe in fast growing tumors, so that these vessels branch at obtuse angles or they do not branch and vessel diameter is not in order.
[Normally vessels branch in tree branching pattern with acute angles and decreasing caliber distally].
Signalling is generated in the cancer it self, it will not obey other systems.
Hope You are satisfied with the answer
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
You said "Signalling is generated in the cancer it self, it will not obey other systems". While it doesn't obey other systems (ie the tissues) don't the cancer cells communicate and co-operate with immune system cells in the tumor micro-environment?
Brief Answer:
Our knowledge is limited
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
What little I know as an academician, I have tried to answer.You may be right.Lot of research is going on at present.Our knowledge is limited.
Cancer is self regulating.Therefore it is difficult to cure in majority.
Good night.
Our knowledge is limited
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
What little I know as an academician, I have tried to answer.You may be right.Lot of research is going on at present.Our knowledge is limited.
Cancer is self regulating.Therefore it is difficult to cure in majority.
Good night.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
