ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Research into the molecular and cellular biology of cancer has given us remarkable insights into the molecular basis of neoplasia, such as disordered cell proliferation, disturbed differentiation, and altered cell survival as well as disruption of normal tissue, invasion, and metastasis. Human cancer results mostly from gene mutations in its cells of origin which confer a biological advantage to these cells. Today, knowledge about molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis has become far more than just a playground for experimental biology. Molecular markers are now available for improving cancer diagnosis and classification. At the therapeutic level, the identification of aberrant molecular pathways in cancer cells provides the basis for molecularly targeted therapy. It is, therefore, essential for clinicians caring for cancer patients to understand the molecular and cellular basis of neoplasia.
