Tumor promotion
Tumor Promotion
Tumor promotion (pronunciation: /ˈtjuːmər proʊˈmoʊʃən/) is a stage in the carcinogenesis process where a normal cell is stimulated to proliferate and differentiate abnormally, leading to the formation of a tumor or neoplasm.
Etymology
The term 'tumor promotion' is derived from the Latin word 'tumor', meaning swelling, and the English word 'promotion', meaning to encourage or stimulate.
Process
Tumor promotion is a key step in the multistage carcinogenesis model, following tumor initiation. It involves the clonal expansion of initiated cells, driven by various promoting agents. These agents can include chemicals, hormones, or even physical factors like radiation.
Promotion is a reversible process and does not involve direct damage to the DNA. Instead, it involves changes in gene expression that lead to increased cell proliferation and decreased cell death. This imbalance can lead to the formation of a benign tumor, which can potentially progress to a malignant cancer if further genetic changes occur.
Related Terms
- Tumor initiation: The first stage of carcinogenesis, where a normal cell undergoes a genetic mutation that predisposes it to become a cancer cell.
- Tumor progression: The final stage of carcinogenesis, where a benign tumor becomes malignant and gains the ability to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize to distant sites.
- Carcinogen: A substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.
- Oncogene: A gene that has the potential to cause cancer. In tumor cells, these genes are often mutated or expressed at high levels.
- Tumor suppressor gene: A gene that protects a cell from one step on the path to cancer. When this gene is mutated to cause a loss or reduction in its function, the cell can progress to cancer.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tumor promotion
- Wikipedia's article - Tumor promotion
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