Why’d You Have To Go and Make Cancer So Complicated? (Part 2)

On this week’s episode of the pod, we continue our discussion on the basics of cancer. We briefly review the fact that cancer is a catch-all phrase for hundreds of different illnesses, all ultimately linked to dysregulation of normal cellular processes. We elaborate on some cellular processes that break down during the development of cancer, particularly with regard to gene mutations. While last week we touched on broad risk factors for cancer, today we highlight some viral infections that can lead to the development of cancer. We spend some time discussing mutations and how they contribute to the progression of cancer, with a focus on 3 classes of genes that are most commonly implicated in cancer. We then discuss how cancer is able to camouflage itself from the immune system, using a specific example to illustrate this. We switch gears to discuss categories of treatments, including radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery, as well as newer cancer therapies including immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapies. We set the stage for additional in-depth discussions on some of these types of therapies in future episodes.

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