7.2 Cancer

• mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells
• sometimes a cell will change, due to mutations in the genetic material, and start to divide in an uncontrolled way.
• a tumour is a mass of abnormally growing cells.
• a benign tumour grows in one place. Although it does not invade other tissues, it can be especially dangerous in places such as the brain where it compresses it.
• malignant tumour cells can spread to healthy tissues. Malignant tumours are cancerous.
• Some malignant tumours may spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream, forming secondary tumours.
• causes of cancer include:

  • genetic factors
  • mutations in genes caused by carcinogens
  • ionising radiation
  • Virus infections such as HPV
• cancer can be treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.