Human pathology

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Cancer

Definition: A cancer is a malignant tumor (See Tumors).

Etiology

Cancer is due to a collection of complex genetic diseases characterized by multiple defects in the homeostatic mechanisms that regulate cell growth, proliferation and differentiation.

See also

- tumorigenesis
- cancer classification
- cancer genes
- tumor predisposing syndromes
- Tumors

  • benign tumor
  • malignant tumor

References

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- Hanahan D, Weinberg RA. The hallmarks of cancer. Cell. 2000 Jan 7;100(1):57-70. PMID: 10647931