Cancer

Cancer is a class of diseases in which a group of cells grow uncontrollably, invade and destroy adjacent tissues and sometimes spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood (metastasize).  These three malignant properties differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, and do not invade or metastasize.  Most cancers form a tumor but some, like leukemia, do not.

Cancer can be the result of DNA mutations, exposure to carcinogens or radiation, viral infections, hormonal imbalances, immune system dysfunction or a hereditary predisposition to certain syndromes.
 

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