The hallmarks of cancer Self-sufficiency in growth signals Cancer cells do not need stimulation from external signals ( in the form of growth factors) to multiply Insensitivity to anti-growth signals Cancer cells are generally resistant to growth-preventing signals from their neighbours Tissue invasion and metastasis Cancer cells can break away from their site or organ of origin to invade surrounding tissue and spread(metastasis)to distant body parts Limitless reproductive potential Non-cancer cells die after a certain number of divisions cancer cells escape this limit and are apparently capable of indefinite growth and division(immortality) Sustained angiogenesis Cancer cells appear to be able to kickstart this process, ensuring that such cells receive a continual supply of oxygen and other nutrients Evading apoptosis Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death, the mechanism by which cells are programmed to die after a certain number of divisions or in the event they become damaged. Cancer cells characteristically are able to bypass this 7 mechanism7 The Hallmarks of Cancer Self-sufficiency in growth signals Cancer cells do not need stimulation from external signals (in the form of growth factors) to multiply. Insensitivity to anti-growth signals Cancer cells are generally resistant to growth-preventing signals from their neighbours. Tissue invasion and metastasis Cancer cells can break away from their site or organ of origin to invade surrounding tissue and spread (metastasis) to distant body parts. Limitless reproductive potential Non-cancer cells die after a certain number of divisions. Cancer cells escape this limit and are apparently capable of indefinite growth and division (immortality). Sustained angiogenesis Cancer cells appear to be able to kickstart this process, ensuring that such cells receive a continual supply of oxygen and other nutrients. Evading apoptosis Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death, the mechanism by which cells are programmed to die after a certain number of divisions or in the event they become damaged. Cancer cells characteristically are able to bypass this mechanism