The Battle Within: How Cancer Develops and Spreads

🔬Cancer begins with a single corrupted cell that multiplies rapidly and forms a tumor.

🏢The tumor grows and builds new blood vessels to sustain itself, causing damage to neighboring cells.

👮‍♀️The immune system gets activated and starts fighting the tumor by sending immune cells to attack and signal for reinforcements.

🦠Cancer cells evolve and become resistant to the immune system, creating a microenvironment that shields them from attacks.

🧪Scientists are tirelessly working to develop advanced treatments, such as immunotherapy, to combat and ultimately eliminate cancer.

How does cancer start?

—Cancer starts with a single corrupted cell that undergoes uncontrolled multiplication.

Why does a tumor need blood vessels?

—A growing tumor needs a sufficient blood supply to provide nutrients and oxygen for its cells to survive and grow.

How does the immune system fight against cancer?

—The immune system deploys immune cells, such as macrophages and killer T cells, to attack and eliminate tumor cells.

Why do cancer cells become resistant to the immune system?

—Cancer cells can develop mechanisms that deactivate immune cells or create a microenvironment that hinders immune response.

What is immunotherapy?

—Immunotherapy is a treatment approach that modifies a patient's immune cells to enhance their ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

00:00An entertaining analogy sets the stage for understanding how cancer cells unfold within the body.

00:30Phase 1: The Elimination Phase - A single corrupted cell multiplies into a tiny tumor.

03:00Phase 2: The Equilibrium Phase - Resilient tumor cells survive and form new lineages, leading to the growth of a larger tumor.

07:02Phase 3: The Escape Phase - Cancer cells become immune to the immune system, create a microenvironment, and continue to expand.

08:59The ongoing battle against cancer: Scientists are actively developing innovative treatments like immunotherapy to combat and eliminate cancer.