Chapter 15: Genetics and Cancer

Concepts

• Regulation of the cell cycle is closely related to the genetics of cancer
• Mutant genes convey a predisposition to cancer
• Tumor suppressor genes normally suppress cell division
• Oncogenes induce uncontrolled cell division
• Metastasis is genetically controlled
• Colon cancer results from a series of mutations
• Genomic changes are often associated with cancer
• Genomic instability can lead to cancer
• Various environmental agents, including viruses, are directly or indirectly linked to cancer