Precancerous cells and cancerous cells are both abnormal, but they differ in their potential to spread and cause harm.
Precancerous Cells
- Definition: Precancerous cells are abnormal cells that have the potential to become cancerous. They are not yet cancerous, but they have changes in their DNA that make them more likely to develop into cancer.
- Characteristics:
- Abnormal growth: They may grow faster than normal cells.
- Changes in appearance: They may look different under a microscope than normal cells.
- Not invasive: They have not spread to other tissues or organs.
- Example: A precancerous polyp in the colon is a cluster of abnormal cells that could become cancerous.
Cancerous Cells
- Definition: Cancerous cells are abnormal cells that have become malignant. They have the ability to invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body.
- Characteristics:
- Uncontrolled growth: They grow and divide uncontrollably.
- Invasiveness: They can invade surrounding tissues and spread to other organs.
- Metastasis: They can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
- Example: A colon cancer is a malignant tumor that has invaded the colon wall and may have spread to other organs.
Key Differences
| Feature | Precancerous Cells | Cancerous Cells |
|---|---|---|
| Malignancy | Not malignant | Malignant |
| Invasiveness | Not invasive | Invasive |
| Metastasis | Cannot spread | Can spread |
| Treatment | Often reversible with early detection and treatment | Requires more aggressive treatment |
Summary
Precancerous cells are abnormal cells that have the potential to become cancerous. Cancerous cells are malignant cells that have the ability to invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body. Early detection and treatment of precancerous cells can often prevent the development of cancer.
