Page 101 - The Miracle of the Immune System

n most general terms, cancer can be characterized as uncontrolled
cell replication. Regardless of its type, cancer initially develops in
a normal, healthy cell and shares the basic characteristics of this normal
cell, at least in its early developmental stages. However, these cells tend

to lose some of their abilities. One such important ability is that of react-
ing to the messages delivered by their surrounding or their own organ-
isms that regulate cell replication. When such a disorder occurs, the cell
can no longer control its replication and the growth of tissues. This proc-
ess, known as "continuous dividing," is genetically transferred to new
cells resulting in the spread of tumours, which in turn invade the neigh-
bouring tissues. These decomposed cells eat up the nutrients of other
cells, consuming the vital amino acid supply. Cancer cells eventually shut
down the passages within the human body with their expanding volume.
They accumulate in various organs such as the brain, lungs, liver, and kid-
neys, surrounding the healthy and normal cells of these organs and pre-
venting their normal functioning, eventually posing a serious threat to
human life.
Normal cells replicate only when they receive a command from

neighbouring cells. This is a safety measure within the organism. Howe-
ver, cancer cells do not respond to this mechanism and refuse any control
over their replication system. The type of cancer described so far does not