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Related Concept Videos

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Cancer02:18

Cancer

Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
What is Cancer?02:12

What is Cancer?

Cells and tissues must meticulously coordinate their activities for the normal functioning of the human body. Therefore, they exhibit socially responsible behavior - resting, growing, dividing, differentiating, or dying - for the organism’s benefit. Cancer arises when cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues or organs.
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance02:40

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

The Colon-26 Carcinoma Tumor-bearing Mouse as a Model for the Study of Cancer Cachexia
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Published on: November 30, 2016

Cell cannibalism and cancer.

Nidhi Sharma1, Pranab Dey

  • 1Department of Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Diagnostic Cytopathology
|February 15, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Cellular cannibalism, where one cell engulfs another, is distinct from other cellular processes. This phenomenon is a key indicator differentiating benign from malignant tumors and correlates with cancer aggressiveness.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Cellular cannibalism is defined as a large cell enclosing a smaller cell within its cytoplasm.
  • This process is morphologically distinct from phagocytosis, entosis, and emeriopoliosis.
  • Cannibalism has been observed in various cancers, including bladder, breast, and lung cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the morphology, mechanisms, and cytological significance of cellular cannibalism.
  • To highlight cannibalism's role in distinguishing benign from malignant lesions.
  • To explore the association between cannibalism and cancer aggressiveness.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on cellular cannibalism.
  • Morphological analysis of cellular cannibalism in cancer tissues.

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A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication
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A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication

Published on: September 20, 2016

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  • Comparative analysis with other cellular engulfment processes.

    • Main Results:

    • Cellular cannibalism is a unique cytological event.
    • It serves as a significant morphologic feature for distinguishing benign from malignant lesions.
    • Cannibalism is linked to increased malignancy aggressiveness in various cancers.

    Conclusions:

    • Cellular cannibalism is a distinct biological process with implications in cancer diagnosis.
    • Its presence is associated with more aggressive forms of cancer.
    • Further research into the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of targeting cellular cannibalism is warranted.