Biology Project

INDEX
1. Introduction
2. Description of Human Cancer Cells
3. Difference between healthy and cancer cells
4. Cancer cell division
5. Causes of Cancer
6. Cancer types- Symptoms, Prevention
7. Cancer Treatment
8. Bibliography
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 in 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 replenish These cells may have gene
the cell population that ages or mutations or chromosome mutations
becomes damaged or destroyed. Normal that affect the reproductive
cells reproduce properly. properties of the cells. 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 signals communicate with other cells through
help normal cells to know when to chemical signals. They also lose
reproduce and when to stop reproducing. sensitivity to anti-growth signals from
Cell signals are usually transmitted into a surrounding cells. These signals
cell by specific proteins. normally restrict cellular growth.
Cell
Specialization
Normal cells have the ability to Cancer cells are unspecialized and do not
differentiate or develop into develop into cells of a specific type.
specialized cells. For example, cells can Similar to stem cells, cancer cells
develop proliferate or replicate many times,
into heart cells, brain cells, lung cells or for long periods of time.
any other cell of a specific type.
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
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.
Differentiating between normal cell division 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 types of Cancer:
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 diet full
of fruits and vegetables, Exercise most days of the week.
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.
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.
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
lymph nodes in the neck, difficulty in swallowing.
Prevention: Don’t smoke, check for radon at home, regular
exercise; eat variety of fruits and vegetables, limit the intake of
alcohol, have a cup of green tea.
Lung Cancer Breast Cancer
Throat Cancer Prostate Cancer

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.

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INDEX

Normal Cells Cancer Cells

Cell division is a normal process used by the body for

Throat Cancer Prostate Cancer

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