Cancer cells grow and spread through a process called metastasis. This occurs when cancer cells break away from the original tumor, travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and form new tumors in other parts of the body.

The growth and spread of cancer cells are influenced by various factors, including:

1. Cell division: Cancer cells divide and multiply at a rapid rate, leading to the growth of the tumor.

2. Angiogenesis: Cancer cells release chemicals that stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, which provide the tumor with nutrients and oxygen that allow it to grow and spread.

3. Invasion: Cancer cells can invade surrounding tissues and organs, spreading to other parts of the body.

4. Metastasis: Cancer cells can break away from the primary tumor and travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other parts of the body, where they can form new tumors.

It's important to understand that not all cancers are equally aggressive or capable of spreading. Some cancers are slow-growing and may never progress beyond the original tumor, while others are more aggressive and can spread rapidly to other parts of the body. The potential for a cancer to grow and spread depends on various factors, including the type of cancer, the stage of the disease, and the individual's overall health.

Defining cancer terms

Here are some common cancer-related terms and their definitions:

1. Tumor: An abnormal growth of cells that can be either benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

2. Carcinoma: A type of cancer that begins in the cells that make up the skin or the tissues that line the organs.

3. Sarcoma: A type of cancer that begins in the bones, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue.

4. Leukemia: A type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow and results in the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells.

5. Lymphoma: A type of cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system, called lymphocytes.

6. Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells from the primary (original) site to other parts of the body.

7. Stage: A classification of the extent of a cancer, used to determine the best course of treatment. The stage of a cancer is based on several factors, including the size of the tumor, the involvement of regional lymph nodes, and the presence of metastasis.

8. Chemotherapy: A type of treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells.

9. Radiation therapy: A type of treatment that uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells.

10. Surgery: A type of treatment that involves the removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue.

These terms are commonly used in the context of cancer and are important to understand when discussing a cancer diagnosis and treatment options.

How does cancer start?

Cancer begins when cells in a part of the body start to grow abnormally. Normally, cells divide and grow in an orderly way, and old or damaged cells die and are replaced by new cells. In cancer, however, this process goes awry.

Cancer starts when cells in a part of the body acquire mutations in their DNA. Mutations can be caused by exposure to environmental factors such as tobacco smoke, radiation, and chemicals, or they can occur spontaneously. The mutations cause changes in the genes that regulate cell growth and division, leading to uncontrolled cell division and the formation of a mass of abnormal cells called a tumor.

Not all tumors are cancerous; tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body and do not pose a threat to life, while malignant tumors can invade surrounding tissues, spread to other parts of the body, and pose a threat to life.

It's important to note that not all cancers form tumors. Some cancers, such as leukemia, do not form tumors but instead involve the abnormal growth of cells in the blood and bone marrow.

From cancer cell to tumor

The transformation of a cancer cell into a tumor is a complex process that occurs over time. It can be summarized as follows:

1. Initiation: Normal cells acquire mutations in their DNA, which can be caused by exposure to environmental factors such as tobacco smoke, radiation, and chemicals, or they can occur spontaneously.

2. Promotion: The mutated cells divide and grow more rapidly than normal cells, leading to the formation of a group of abnormal cells.

3. Progression: The abnormal cells continue to divide and grow, eventually forming a mass of cells known as a tumor.

4. Malignancy: Some of the cells within the tumor acquire additional mutations, allowing them to invade surrounding tissue and potentially spread to other parts of the body.

It's important to note that not all tumors are cancerous. Some tumors, known as benign tumors, do not spread to other parts of the body and do not pose a threat to life. Cancerous tumors, on the other hand, are known as malignant tumors and can invade surrounding tissue and spread to other parts of the body, posing a threat to life.

The progression from a cancer cell to a tumor is a complex and multi-step process, and the speed at which it occurs can vary greatly depending on the type of cancer, the individual's overall health, and other factors.

From tumor to metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the primary (original) site to other parts of the body. The process of metastasis can be described as follows:

1. Invasion: Cancer cells within a primary tumor begin to invade surrounding tissue.

2. Dissemination: The cancer cells break away from the primary tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and nodes that helps to fight infections.

3. Transport: The cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other parts of the body.

4. Colonization: The cancer cells arrive at a new site and begin to grow and form a secondary tumor.

The process of metastasis can take months or even years to occur, and not all cancers are capable of spreading to other parts of the body. The likelihood of metastasis and the rate at which it occurs depend on several factors, including the type of cancer, the stage of the disease, and the individual's overall health.

It's important to understand that metastasis is a major factor in the progression and severity of cancer, and is often what makes a cancer life-threatening. Treating metastatic cancer can be more challenging than treating the primary tumor, as it requires a more systemic approach that targets cancer cells throughout the body.

What causes DNA mutations in the first place? 

DNA mutations can be caused by several factors, including:

1. Environmental exposures: Certain environmental factors, such as tobacco smoke, ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and exposure to certain chemicals and pollutants, can cause DNA damage and increase the likelihood of mutations.

2. Spontaneous mutations: Some mutations occur spontaneously, without any known cause. These mutations may be due to errors that occur during DNA replication, which is the process by which cells make copies of their DNA.

3. Inherited mutations: Mutations can be passed down from one generation to the next through an individual's genes. Inherited mutations are responsible for many hereditary cancers, such as inherited forms of breast and ovarian cancer.

4. Medical treatments: Certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can cause DNA damage and increase the risk of mutations.

5. Age: The risk of DNA mutations increases with age, as the accumulation of mutations over time can increase the likelihood of developing cancer and other diseases.

It's important to note that not all mutations lead to cancer. In fact, most mutations have no effect on health, and many have beneficial effects. However, some mutations can alter genes in a way that promotes the development of cancer and other diseases.

Conclusion

In this post, you get to know about what  is cancer and its procedure. On the other hand, this information has been reviewed by medical specialists at  It is provided only for educational purposes only and this doesn’t mean replacing the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to speak with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have. However, if you are looking for the best cancer hospital in India then you can contact us via or you can visit Hospital.