Library · Cellular process
Carcinogenesis
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Carcinogenesis is the path by which a cancer forms. It does not happen all at once: it is a multistep process in which genetic damage, meaning damage to DNA, and epigenetic changes, which are changes in how genes are used, gradually build up. That path is usually divided into three stages: initiation, promotion and progression.
In initiation, a cell picks up mutations or epigenetic alterations that give it an advantage in growing or surviving. If the cell cannot repair that damage or eliminate itself through apoptosis, the programmed death of a damaged cell, an initiated clone emerges: a group of cells that carry the same alterations. Picture a page with a typo going through the photocopier: every copy comes out with the same error.
Next comes promotion: that group of cells with the same error keeps copying itself until there are so many cells that they form a detectable lump, a tumor. And in progression, that tumor keeps adding new errors to its DNA, genetic alterations that make it more aggressive.
In brief
Carcinogenesis is the multistep process in which genetic damage and epigenetic changes accumulate until a fully formed cancer develops; it is usually divided into initiation, promotion and progression.
In initiation, mutations or epigenetic alterations give a cell a growth or survival advantage; if repair or apoptosis does not correct the mutation, an initiated clone with identical genetic alterations emerges.
A photocopied typo repeats on every copy.
Promotion expands these cells into a detectable tumor; progression adds genetic alterations that make it more aggressive.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingCarcinogenesis, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated