Colorful illustration of a tumor cell. Reaching lymph and blood vessels allows the tumor cell to spread and form metastases. Tumor cells develop out of normal body cells due to genomic changes (multiple mutations necessary). They are able to autonomously (without control) and progressively grow. They need to be supplied with substrates and metabolites by the host organ. Their metabolism is (excessively) increased and different from the mother cell.
Cytologial characteristics are: Cell polymorphism (anisocytosis), larger nucleus compared to cytoplasm, nuclear polymorphism (anisocaryosis) and hyperchromasia, excessive DNA replication, aneuploidy, enlarged nucleolus.
