Biochemistry 3380G Final: Topic 28 - Cancer.docx

• School: Western University
• Department: Biochemistry
• Course: Biochemistry 3380G
• Professor: Dr.B

Document Summary

Cancer is: the leading cause of death in north america, strikes victims of all ages, will become even more prevalent. Molecular basis of cancer: cancer is characterization by genetic and biochemical defects, biochemistry and molecular biology provide avenues for cures. Initially the tumor will be contained in its tissue of origin: with time it can break through the basal lamina. It can invade capillary: adhere to blood vessel wall in liver, escape from blood vessel (extravasation, proliferate to form metastasis in liver. What are some avoidable causes of cancer: agents that cause dna damage, radiation (x-rays, uv), mutagens, chemicals that cause cells to divide, tumour promoters asbestos. The more cells divide the more chance they are going to pick up errors: certain viruses, hepatitis (lead to liver cancer, hpv (cervical cancer and others, hiv (kaposi sarcoma, non-hodgkins lymphoma) Cigarette smoke contains 69 chemicals that are known to cause cancer: arsenic rat poison, benzene, formaldehyde used in mortuaries, radioactive polonium-210.