JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Abstract

Cancer is a state of uncontrolled proliferation and dedifferentiation of cells in any tissues or organs of the body. The incidence of cancer is rising alarmingly and is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Normal cell division is precisely a planned biological process controlled by regulatory genes and specific metabolic pathways. Exposure of normally functioning cells to carcinogens leads to mutations in the genes causing loss of control of cell division and transform into cancerous. Over a period of time, these cancer cells acquire more mutations; invade to adjoining tissues, escape the process of apoptosis and the cells become eternal. Breakaway parts of the cancer tissues / cells travel through the lymphatic and blood vessels and get deposited in other tissues / organs leading to metastasis, the spread of cancer.