What is the Difference Between Cancer Cells and Normal Cells?

Cancer cells and normal cells differ in several ways, including their growth, division, and response to signals. Some of the key differences between cancer cells and normal cells are:

1. Growth and Division: Cancer cells grow and divide uncontrollably, without stopping when there are enough of them. In contrast, normal cells follow a typical cycle, growing, dividing, and dying when they are no longer needed.
2. Response to Signals: Cancer cells ignore signals from other cells, such as those telling them to stop growing or to self-destruct through a process called apoptosis or programmed cell death.
3. Maturation: Cancer cells often do not mature or become specialized, as they reproduce very quickly and do not have a chance to mature.
4. Appearance: Under a microscope, cancer cells may look different from normal cells, being different sizes, having abnormal shapes, and having abnormal nuclei (control centers).
5. Nutrient Utilization: Cancer cells may utilize different nutrients than normal cells, allowing them to proliferate faster. Some cancer cells induce the formation of new blood vessels, bringing in more nutrient supply, a process known as angiogenesis.
6. Migration and Invasion: Normal cells stop dividing when they touch other cells and usually do not migrate to other areas. Cancer cells, on the other hand, can invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body.
7. Immune System Interaction: Cancer cells can evade or co-opt the immune system, disguising themselves as normal cells or even convincing immune cells to protect the tumor instead of attacking it.
8. Genetic Changes: Cancer cells often have an abnormal number of chromosomes and increasingly abnormal DNA due to multiple mutations.

Comparative Table: Cancer Cells vs Normal Cells

Here is a table comparing the differences between cancer cells and normal cells:

Normal cells have a uniform shape, a spheroid nucleus, and fine, evenly distributed chromatin. They divide only when appropriate signals are received and stop when enough cells are present. Cancer cells, on the other hand, have an irregular shape, an irregular nucleus, coarse chromatin, and multiple enlarged nucleoli. They divide uncontrollably, even when signals to stop are present, and can evade the immune system.