Carcinogenesis as the Sum of Its Parts

Abstract

The identification of cancer as a genetic disease is based on the well-documented fact that somatic mutations are required to create the lethal malady. But that is not the whole story. Cancer is also an environmental disease since it takes time to develop with the involvement of numerous environmental factors. There have been many theories of carcinogenesis over the last century that provided much insight, but still fall short of completeness. The Somatic Mutation Theory specifies that cancers arise as a consequence of genetic mutations, but it does not stipulate the mechanisms involved or what else may be required. The Tissue Organization Field Theory specifies that cancers arise as the result of cell communication disruption, but it does not stipulate how this occurs, nor does it clarify what else may be required. Neither theory is independently sufficient based on today's knowledge. The existing experimental evidence clearly supports the Somatic Mutation Theory, and none refutes this theory based on the simple requirement of somatic mutation. The recently proffered Tissue Organization Field Theory has yet to be clearly demonstrated, but there is experimental evidence to lend support to this premise. The root of the problem is the terminology and the clear perception of the processes of carcinogenesis.

Flaxseed Lignans as Important Dietary Polyphenols for Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Chemistry, Pharmacokinetics, and Molecular Targets

“…Cancer was identified as an important human disease thousands of years ago [57]. In the subsequent thousands of years cancer patients faced little hope for cure and survival, a situation unchanged for some cancers and clearly an unmet medical need for these patients.…”

“…Among the different cancer characteristics, mutations enable malignant cells both continuity and survival. These driver mutations stem from various mechanisms including carcinogen exposure [57]. Carcinogenesis is a complex multifactorial and multistep process separated into three closely related stages: initiation, promotion, and progression [64,65,66,67] (Figure 1).…”

Carcinogenesis Marked by Initiation

“…35,36 Thus, disruption of the tissue microenvironment that results in inflammation may lead to the formation of initiated cells from innocent cells previously free of oncogenic mutations. 1,25 The mutation frequency induced by inflammation alone is still a question to be answered, especially since cellular DNA is constantly bombarded by oxidative damage daily, hourly due to the normal processes of life, that is, oxidative metabolism. Human cellular DNA receives on the order of 10,000 oxidative insults each and every day, which are efficiently repaired.…”