Cancer arises when normal cellular processes are disrupted, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. These disruptions often involve mutations in genes responsible for regulating cell cycle, apoptosis, and DNA repair. The primary mechanisms include:
1. Oncogenes: Normal genes that, when mutated, become oncogenes and promote excessive cell proliferation. 2. Tumor Suppressor Genes: Genes that normally inhibit cell growth and division. When these are inactivated, cells can grow uncontrollably. 3. DNA Repair Genes: Mutations in these genes can lead to an accumulation of genetic errors, contributing to cancer progression.
