syöpäsolun

Syöpäsolu is the Finnish word for cancer cell. A cancer cell is a cell that has undergone genetic mutations causing it to grow and divide uncontrollably and to spread to other parts of the body. Unlike normal cells, which follow programmed life cycles and die when damaged or old, cancer cells ignore these signals. They can also evade the immune system, which normally identifies and destroys abnormal cells.

The process by which normal cells transform into cancer cells is called carcinogenesis. This is a multi-step process that often involves the accumulation of multiple mutations in genes that regulate cell growth, division, and repair. These mutations can be caused by various factors, including exposure to carcinogens like tobacco smoke, certain viruses, and radiation, as well as inherited genetic predispositions.

Cancer cells often exhibit distinct characteristics. They may have abnormal shapes and sizes, their nuclei can be enlarged and irregularly shaped, and they can divide at a much faster rate than healthy cells. A key feature of malignancy is invasion, where cancer cells infiltrate surrounding tissues, and metastasis, the spread of cancer to distant sites in the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Understanding the behavior and characteristics of cancer cells is fundamental to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer.