The heterogeneous nature of cancer has profound implications for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
- Diagnosis: Accurate diagnosis can be complicated by heterogeneity, as a biopsy taken from one part of the tumor may not represent the entire tumor's characteristics.
- Prognosis: Heterogeneity can affect the behavior of the cancer, including its growth rate and potential to metastasize, making it difficult to predict outcomes.
- Treatment: Treatment efficacy can be significantly reduced due to heterogeneity. While some cells may be sensitive to a particular therapy, others may be resistant, leading to treatment failure and recurrence.
