Final answer:
Abnormal cells in cancerous tumors evade the natural process of apoptosis and instead, divide uncontrollably, potentially invading and damaging other tissues and leading to harmful effects within the body. The immune system may sometimes destroy these cells, but when it doesn't, malignant tumors can form and become life-threatening.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of cancer, abnormal cells typically exhibit unrestrained growth and division, leading to the potential invasion and destruction of nearby tissues. These cancer cells do not undergo apoptosis, which is the body's way of removing damaged or abnormal cells. Instead, cancer forms when natural defenses are inhibited, allowing these abnormal cells to multiply without control. This can interfere with normal bodily functions, and if left untreated, may lead to death.
However, not all cells with abnormalities become cancerous. Some may be recognized and destroyed by the immune system, or they may form benign tumors that do not invade other tissues. On the contrary, malignant tumors are comprised of cancerous cells that have the potential to invade surrounding tissue and spread to other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis.
To manage cancer, treatments often aim at inhibiting this uncontrolled cell division and promoting the death of cancer cells, seeking to restore normal cell cycle regulation.