How Do Genetic Mutations Contribute to Cancer Variations?
Genetic mutations play a pivotal role in cancer development. There are different types of mutations, including point mutations, insertions, deletions, and chromosomal rearrangements. These mutations can affect oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA repair genes. Oncogenes, when mutated, can promote cell growth, while mutations in tumor suppressor genes can result in a loss of regulatory control over the cell cycle. DNA repair genes, when faulty, fail to correct errors during DNA replication, leading to genetic instability.