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Breast Cancer Pathophysiology

Cancer Pathophysiology

There are trillions of cells in the body. These cells have a tightly regulated cell cycle that controls

their growth, maturity, division and death. During childhood normal cells divide faster to allow

the person to grow. Once adulthood is reached the cells divide to replace worn-out cells and to

repair injuries. This cell division and growth is controlled by the cellular blue print or DNA and

genes that lie within the cells nucleus.

!ancer begins when cells in a part of the body start to grow out of control. All types of cancer,

irrespective of their origin, occur due to this disturbed growth of cells that leads to formation of tumours and lesions. "n addition, the cancer cells possess some rogue li#e properties$

• They have longer life spans and instead of dying continue to grow and form new,

abnormal cells

• !ancer cells can also invade other tissues. This is something that normal cells cannot do.

This property is called metastasis.

• !ancer cells grow into tumors that are supplied by a new networ# of blood vessels. This

is called angiogenesis and is uni%ue in maintaining the blood supply and supply of 

nutrients to the cancer cells.

What makes a normal cell turn cancerous

A normal cell can become a cancer cell if it undergoes damage to the DNA. &ince it is the DNA

that regulates the cells cycle of growth and death and any changes or damage to DNA affects the

cell.

'or most cells if the DNA is damaged the cell either repairs the damage or the cell dies. "n cancer 

cells, the damaged DNA is not repaired and the damage is propagated to newer abnormal cells

that are born of the defective cell.

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Breast Cancer Pathophysiology

(reast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. )i#e other cancers, thereare several factors that can raise the ris# of getting breast cancer. Damage to the DNA and

genetic mutations can lead to breast cancer have been e*perimentally lin#ed

to estrogen e*posure. &ome individuals inherit defects in the DNA and genes li#e the (+!A,

(+!A and /0 among others. Those with a family history of ovarian or breast cancer thus are

at an increased ris# of breast cancer .

The immune system normally see#s out cancer cells and cells with damaged DNA and destroys

them. (reast cancer may be a result of failure of such an effective immune defense and

surveillance.

These are several signaling systems of growth factors and other mediators that interact between

stromal cells and epithelial cells. Disrupting these may lead to breast cancer as well.

http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Breast-Cancer.aspxhttp://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Breast-Cancer.aspxhttp://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Breast-Cancer.aspx

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