Cancer biology: molecular and genetic basis

Authors

Ulrich A. Bommer, University of WollongongFollow
Kara L. Vine, University of WollongongFollow
Oncology Education Committee Cancer Council Australia

RIS ID

96050

Publication Details

Bommer, U., Vine, K. L. & Cancer Council Australia, O. (2014). Cancer biology: molecular and genetic basis. In S. Sabesan, I. Olver & O. Cancer Council Australia (Eds.), Clinical Oncology for Medical Students (p. On Line). Sydney: Cancer Council Australia Oncology Education Committee.

Link to publisher version (URL)

Clinical Oncology for Medical Students

Abstract

Cancer is a disease of uncontrolled growth and proliferation whereby cells have escaped the body's normal growth control mechanisms and have gained the ability to divide indefinitely. It is a multi-step process that requires the accumulation of many genetic changes over time (Figure 1). These genetic alterations involve activation of proto-oncogenes to oncogenes, deregulation of tumour suppressor genes and DNA repair genes and 'immortalisation' which will be discussed in this chapter.