What is Cancer obtained from the BCCA Information Database Cancer is a disease in which cells of an organ or tissue in the body become abnormal, failing to respond to normal control mechanisms, growing and multiplying out of control. Normal cells reproduce themselves throughout the body in an orderly and controlled manner. Normal growth continues throughout life to replace worn out tissue, to heal wounds, and to maintain healthy organs. When cells grow out of control, they usually form a mass, called a tumor. Some tumors grow and enlarge only at the site where they begin and these are referred to as benign tumors. Other tumors not only enlarge locally but also have the potential to invade and destroy the normal tissue around them and to spread to distant parts of the body. Such tumors are called malignant tumors or cancers. Distant spread of a cancer occurs when malignant cells become detached from the original (primary) tumor, get carried to other parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic vessels and establish themselves in the new site as an independent (secondary) cancer. A tumor that has spread in this manner is said to have metastasized and the secondary tumor (or tumors) is called a metastasis (or metastases).

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