Cancer has held the world hostage to fear for decades while Genetic researchers follow a complex trail Scientists no longer think of cancer as a single disease, but know it has at least 200 different forms with different questions and answers for each. However, most forms of cancer are linked by their biology. As researchers learn more about the basic biology and genetic regulation of cancer, they learn where the disease is most vulnerable to attack and can develop more effective disease-fighting strategies. University of Iowa researchers affiliated with the UI Cancer Center have contributed to the recent exponential growth in knowledge about the disease, from basic biology and genetics to use of that knowledge to formulate new therapy options.
Cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth.
It is as if the genes that code for cell proliferation are stuck in the 'on' position, or the genes responsible for halting cell division are turned off. The resulting tissue mass is referred to as a neoplasm, meaning new growth. A neoplasm can be either benign or malignant. Malignant tumors generally grow more quickly than benign tumors. Malignant neoplasms invade surrounding tissue, often destroying it or disrupting the function of vital organs.