Evolution of neoplastic cells

Evolution of neoplastic cells.

Genetic analysis of cancer suggests that neoplastic cells arise through an accumulation of mutations. The genetic clonality observed in most cancers suggests that they arise from a single neoplastic cell that has undergone multiple rounds of mutation, proliferation, and selection.

Cells undergo random mutagenesis, generating several distinct variants. Variants that survive undergo additional rounds of mutation and selection.

Subvariants escaping normal growth controls can expand to form preneoplastic lesions. Additional mutations within the population of preneoplastic cells give rise to clonal variants that proliferate into cancer.

From Cancer Medicine