Question

Characteristics of cancer is
(a) All tumors are cancers
(b) Cancers show metastasis
(c) Cancerous cells show the property of contact inhibition
(d) All viruses are oncogenic

Answer 1

A tumor in the body is defined as the uncontrolled division of cells that form a mass of cells that are depriving the normal tissues of the body of nutrients and oxygen. A tumor is said to be cancer when it has the ability to spread to new places.

Complete Answer:
Cancer occurs when there is improper functioning of the body to control cell growth and differentiation. A property known as contact inhibition is seen in normal cells because of which their growth is inhibited once they come in contact with other cells. Cancer cells do not have this property and thus this results in the formation of tumors. Tumors are again of two types depending on whether they can spread to new places. Benign tumors cannot spread to new places and are less harmful. Whereas malignant tumors grow very rapidly and reach new places through the blood. This property of malignant tumors is known as metastasis and it is characteristic of cancers.

Additional information: Let us learn more about cancers.
- Cancers are caused when the normal cells of the body are transformed into cancerous neoplastic cells by agents known as carcinogens which can be of 3 types: physical, chemical, or biological agents.
- Physical agents include X-rays and gamma rays, chemical agents include tobacco smoke whereas biological agents include cancer-causing viruses known as oncogenic viruses.
- Oncogenic viruses have genes known as oncogenes or protooncogenes that can cause normal cells to become cancerous.
- Caners can be detected using biopsy and histopathological studies of the suspected tissue.
- Cancers of the internal organs are detected by using radiography (use of X-rays), computed tomography (CT), and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Treatment of cancers is usually done by surgery, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy.
So, the correct option is ‘(b) Cancers show metastasis’.

Note:
- Biopsy is the method in which a part of the suspected tissue is cut and stained by a pathologist to observe under a microscope.
- A CT scan uses X-rays to produce a 3-D image of the internal organs of the body.
- A MRI scan uses magnetic fields and non-ionizing radiations to detect any abnormalities inside the living tissue.