Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is INCORRECT regarding cancer in humans?

  1. A tumor in a cell is not considered as malignant until it spreads to other parts of the body forming secondary tumors.

  2. A cancer is caused by agglomeration of a small number of mutations, each of which boosts the cell with a growth advantage.

  3. A cancer is a genetic disease frequently being inherited.

  4. Cancer is regarded a disease of old age.

  5. Cancers are a large family of diseases.
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C Correct answer
Explanation

Cancer is regarded as a genetic disease because it is caused by mutations in the genome. However, these mutations are normally in somatic cells not germ cells and mutations contributing to cancer are rarely inherited. To form a malignant cancer a cell must acquire a small number of mutations (probably about six) each of which gives the cell a growth or survival advantage.

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