Attributes of Cancer

Cancer has different forms in different tissues but there are some common biological properties of the cancerous cells, which include unrestrained cell division, lack of cell maturation, loss of normal cellular functions and invasive behaviour of the cells. The four major attributes that differentiate a cancerous cell from a normal cell are clonality, autonomy, anaplasia and metastasis.

Clonality: A cancerous cell multiplies to form a clone of cancerous cells.

Autonomy: Cancerous cells are not regulated by the normal biochemical and physical forces of the body.

Anaplasia: Cancerous cells do not possess cellular differentiation and functions.

Metastasis: Cancerous cells can grow in other tissues and organs of the body.