Cancer cells divide at a much faster rate compared to healthy cells. This uncontrolled proliferation is primarily due to mutations in genes that regulate the cell cycle. These mutations can lead to disruptions in the normal checkpoints that control cell division, allowing cancer cells to continuously grow and divide without proper regulation.
Other factors that contribute to the uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells include alterations in signaling pathways that promote cell growth and survival, as well as changes in the tumor microenvironment that support the growth and spread of cancer cells. Additionally, genetic instability, which is often seen in cancer cells, can lead to further mutations and amplification of genetic abnormalities that drive abnormal cell division.
Overall, the increased rate of mitosis in cancer cells is a result of a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors that enable these cells to evade normal regulatory mechanisms and proliferate uncontrollably.
How do cancer cells differ in their rate of mitosis compare to healthy cells, and what factors contribute to this uncontrolled proliferation?
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