Sources of Genomic Instability in the Cancer Genome

Abstract

Cancer is commonly referred to as a complex group of genetic diseases, encompassing over 100 disorders that affect multiple cell types and tissues in humans and many other multicellular organisms. At its core, cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation, driven by populations of transformed tumour cells undergoing evolutionary changes. In humans, cancer is a leading global cause of death, responsible for over 8 million deaths each year. Notably, more than 90% of cancer-related deaths are linked to metastasis, a process through which tumour cells disseminate through the circulatory and lymphatic systems and invade distant organs.