Cancer Biology

Cancer Biology is the specialized field that investigates the molecular, cellular, and genetic mechanisms underlying the initiation, progression, and spread of cancer. It explores how normal cells transform into malignant ones by acquiring hallmark traits such as uncontrolled proliferation, evasion of cell death, and the ability to invade tissues and metastasize. Researchers in this area study the roles of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and dysregulated signaling pathways, as well as the complex interactions between tumor cells and their microenvironment, including the immune system, to develop more effective strategies for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

1. Introduction to Cancer Biology
   1. Defining Cancer
      1. Characteristics of Cancer Cells
         1. Uncontrolled Cell Division
         2. Loss of Growth Control
         3. Altered Cell Morphology
         4. Genomic Instability
         5. Resistance to Cell Death
      2. Benign vs. Malignant Tumors
         1. Growth Patterns
            1. Expansive Growth
            2. Encapsulated Growth
            3. Infiltrative Growth
         2. Invasiveness
            1. Local Tissue Invasion
            2. Basement Membrane Penetration
            3. Vascular Invasion
         3. Metastatic Potential
            1. Ability to Spread to Distant Sites
            2. Lymphatic Spread
            3. Hematogenous Spread
      3. Major Types of Cancer
         1. Carcinomas
            1. Adenocarcinomas
            2. Squamous Cell Carcinomas
            3. Transitional Cell Carcinomas
         2. Sarcomas
            1. Bone Sarcomas
            2. Soft Tissue Sarcomas
         3. Leukemias
            1. Acute Leukemias
            2. Chronic Leukemias
         4. Lymphomas
            1. Hodgkin Lymphoma
            2. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
         5. Central Nervous System Tumors
         6. Germ Cell Tumors
         7. Neuroendocrine Tumors
      4. Tumor Nomenclature and Classification
         1. Tissue of Origin
            1. Epithelial Origin
            2. Mesenchymal Origin
            3. Hematopoietic Origin
         2. Grading Systems
            1. Histological Grade
            2. Nuclear Grade
            3. Mitotic Grade
         3. Staging Systems
            1. TNM Classification
            2. AJCC Staging
            3. FIGO Staging
   2. The Burden of Cancer
      1. Epidemiology and Global Statistics
         1. Incidence Rates
            1. Age-Adjusted Incidence
            2. Cancer-Specific Incidence
         2. Prevalence Data
            1. Point Prevalence
            2. Period Prevalence
         3. Mortality Rates
            1. Age-Adjusted Mortality
            2. Case Fatality Rates
         4. Geographic Variations
            1. Developed vs. Developing Countries
            2. Regional Cancer Patterns
         5. Demographic Variations
            1. Age-Related Patterns
            2. Gender Differences
            3. Racial and Ethnic Disparities
      2. Risk Factors
         1. Genetic Predisposition
            1. Hereditary Cancer Syndromes
               1. Lynch Syndrome
               2. Li-Fraumeni Syndrome
               3. Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
            2. Family History Assessment
            3. Genetic Penetrance
         2. Environmental Exposures
            1. Chemical Carcinogens
               1. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
               2. Aromatic Amines
               3. Alkylating Agents
            2. Physical Carcinogens
               1. Ionizing Radiation
               2. Ultraviolet Radiation
               3. Asbestos Fibers
            3. Occupational Hazards
               1. Industrial Chemicals
               2. Mining Exposures
               3. Agricultural Chemicals
         3. Lifestyle Factors
            1. Tobacco Use
               1. Cigarette Smoking
               2. Smokeless Tobacco
               3. Secondhand Smoke
            2. Alcohol Consumption
               1. Dose-Response Relationships
               2. Synergistic Effects with Tobacco
            3. Diet and Nutrition
               1. Processed Meat Consumption
               2. Fruit and Vegetable Intake
               3. Dietary Fat Content
            4. Obesity
               1. Body Mass Index Effects
               2. Hormonal Mechanisms
            5. Physical Inactivity
               1. Sedentary Lifestyle
               2. Exercise Protective Effects
         4. Infectious Agents
            1. Oncogenic Viruses
               1. Human Papillomavirus
               2. Hepatitis B Virus
               3. Hepatitis C Virus
               4. Epstein-Barr Virus
               5. Human T-Lymphotropic Virus
            2. Bacterial Infections
               1. Helicobacter pylori
            3. Parasitic Infections
               1. Schistosoma species
               2. Liver Flukes
   3. History of Cancer Research
      1. Ancient and Early Descriptions
         1. Egyptian Medical Papyri
         2. Hippocratic Writings
         3. Galen's Contributions
      2. Classical Theories
         1. Humoral Theory
         2. Lymph Theory
         3. Blastema Theory
      3. Modern Era Developments
         1. Cellular Pathology
         2. Germ Theory Applications
         3. Experimental Carcinogenesis
      4. Key Discoveries and Milestones
         1. Identification of Chemical Carcinogens
            1. Coal Tar Studies
            2. Ames Test Development
         2. Discovery of Oncogenes
            1. Viral Oncogenes
            2. Cellular Proto-oncogenes
         3. Tumor Suppressor Gene Discovery
            1. Retinoblastoma Gene
            2. p53 Discovery
         4. Development of Cancer Therapies
            1. Early Chemotherapy
            2. Radiation Therapy Evolution
            3. Targeted Therapy Development
         5. Molecular Biology Revolution
            1. DNA Sequencing Technologies
            2. Cancer Genome Projects
            3. Precision Medicine Era