The emperor of maladies
WHAT IS CANCER?In the United States, cancer affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 2 men, but what exactly is cancer? Cancer is defined as a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body (Oxford dictionary).
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, right behind heart disease. It is important to know the warning signs of cancer and receive a screening from a medical professional when necessary. Survival chances are much higher if the cancer is caught in its early stages. The image to the right lists the warning signs of cancer.
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Cancer cells can be vastly different than the body's normal cells. They have distinct characteristics that help oncologists identify tumors and cancers from healthy cells. The characteristics of cancer cells are listed below.
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LARGE NUCLEUSThe changes of the nucleus are used to determine the malignancy of a tumor (neoplastic) cell.
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IREGGULAR SHAPE/SIZEEdit this text to make it your own. To edit, simply click directly on the text and start typing.
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PROMINENT NUCLEOLIThe nucleolus experiences increased hypertrophy and moves towards the membrane in neoplastic cells.
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CYTOPLASM COLOREdit this text to make it your own. To edit, simply click directly on the text and start typing.
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SUMMARYCancer can be a difficult and confusing topic. It's important to understand what cancer is and what the warning signs are. If you or a loved one is affected by cancer, understanding the differences can better help with treatment plans. Click through the tabs to understand more about the types of cancers.
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