Role of Environmental Factors in the Evolution of Cancer

Nemat Khansari

Medical Sciences University of Tehran, School of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Tehran, Iran

Dr. Nemat Khansari, Medical Sciences University of Tehran, School of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Tehran, Iran.

Keywords: Cancer; Chronic Infection

Abstract

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. This type of diseases elicits from uncontrolled growth and proliferation of malignant cells harbouring genetic alterations. These abnormally growing and proliferating cells can have a life-threatening effect when they physically or pathologically affect adjacent healthy cells in a vital organ. Distinct genetic alterations within a cell that result in out of control cell proliferation are responsible for the initiation of cancer formation. In this regard, genetic alterations in proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes are frequently reported in several cancer cell types. Prolonged exposure to various mutagens can be involved in the induction of these genetic alterations in cancerous cells.

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