Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these cells to invade other tissues, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis. Metastasis is defined as the stage in which cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Cancer may affect people at all ages, but risk tends to increase with age. It is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries.

There are many types of cancer. Severity of symptoms depends on the site and character of the malignancy and whether there is metastasis. A definitive diagnosis usually requires the histologic examination of tissue by a pathologist. This tissue is obtained by biopsy or surgery. Most cancers can be treated and some cured, depending on the specific type, location, and stage. Once diagnosed, cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As research develops, treatments are becoming more specific for the type of cancer pathology. Drugs that target specific cancers already exist for several cancers. If untreated, cancers may eventually cause illness and death, though this is not always the case.

The unregulated growth that characterizes cancer is caused by damage to DNA, resulting in mutations to genes that encode for proteins controlling cell division. Many mutation events may be required to transform a normal cell into a malignant cell. These mutations can be caused by chemicals or physical agents called carcinogens, by close exposure to radioactive materials, or by certain viruses that can insert their DNA into the human genome. Mutations occur spontaneously, or are passed down generations as a result of germ line mutations.

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Planning on getting a free skin cancer tattoo over the spot they took out <3
lautzrajm4 (Laut Anderson) Tue, 15 May 2012 17:04:20 -0000
Planning on getting a free skin cancer tattoo over the spot they took out <3
King's College London - Sickle Cell in Focus 24-25 May 2012 http://t.co/xDmeWo0b
HeartofaBuddha (CherylleBowersBailey) Tue, 15 May 2012 17:04:18 -0000
King's College London - Sickle Cell in Focus 24-25 May 2012 http://t.co/xDmeWo0b
RT @TScpCancer: Leo needs to guard against coming across as arrogant to Cancer. http://t.co/FDIR3CHQ
pr3tty3xposed (Pr3tty3xposed) Tue, 15 May 2012 17:04:17 -0000
RT @TScpCancer: Leo needs to guard against coming across as arrogant to Cancer. http://t.co/FDIR3CHQ
since america has typecast me as a dbag, i'll just live the part. no cure for aids or cancer today.
k2spitfire (ארי 劉諸張) Tue, 15 May 2012 17:04:17 -0000
since america has typecast me as a dbag, i'll just live the part. no cure for aids or cancer today.
RT @XSTROLOGY: #Cancer's have a major attitude, so don't mess with them.
Oliveliauw (Olivia Liauw) Tue, 15 May 2012 17:04:17 -0000
RT @XSTROLOGY: #Cancer's have a major attitude, so don't mess with them.
@VesselinaTP RT: #CharityTuesday This tweet was donated to Isaiah Alonso Foundation (@The_IAF)kids cancer awareness http://t.co/Qw0XPWq0
ThirstyGirlFilm (Meg Pinsonneault) Tue, 15 May 2012 17:04:17 -0000
@VesselinaTP RT: #CharityTuesday This tweet was donated to Isaiah Alonso Foundation (@The_IAF)kids cancer awareness http://t.co/Qw0XPWq0

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