Question

What is apoptosis (programmed cell death) and how does it relate to cancer development and treatment?

Answer 1

Cancer refers to any one of a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Treatment of cancer is the use of surgery, radiation, medications and other therapies to cure a cancer, shrink a cancer or stop the progression of a cancer.

Complete answer:
Apoptosis is the process which leads to the death of the cell inside the body, in this process programmed events occur for death of the cell without leaving any harmful byproduct or remains of the cell.

Apoptosis happens when a cell is pre-customized to decide when to commit suicide. Human body produces many cells every second and kills many cells every second for the smooth and healthy functioning of the body. So to control the excessive growth of cells in the body Apoptosis plays a vital role. genes are programmed inside the cells in such a way that the cell commits suicide in specific period of time.

So during the basic function of cells the DNA of cells get damaged now two functions happened either the cell will get repaired or it will cause death which is called apoptosis. And now when damaged cells stop dieing, it starts malfunctioning and its DNA gets accommodated and these damaged cells keep on growing in number later these cells start invading another tissue and give birth to cancer.

The prevention of cancer is one of the main functions of apoptosis. Typically, it is the intrinsic pathway that is inhibited in cancer, however, there are a wide range of means to inhibit apoptosis.

Note: Unlike normal cells, cancer cells don't stop growing and dividing when there are enough of them.that's why when the cancer cell grows large in number it is impossible to stop them.