Narayana E techno school
Sec-77, Faridabad
                  BIOLOGY
               INVESTIGARORY
                  PROJECT
NAME: PAAVNI
CLASS: XII
ROLL NO:
SUBJECT: BIOLOGY
TOPIC: CANCER BIOLOGY / ONCOLOGY
Page 1 of 25
                   CERTIFICATE
         This is to certify that Paavni of class XII of
   Narayana E techno School has successfully completed
   the Biology Investigatory Project on Cancer/Oncology as
   prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary
   Education (CBSE) for the academic year 2024-25.
               Date:
               Signature of             Signature of
         Internal Examiner           External
         Examiner
Page 2 of 25
                     Acknowledgement
         I would like to express my thanks of gratitude to our Principal
         ,ma’am, MS Netravathi Yadav, for giving me the golden
         opportunity to do this wonderful project on the topic “Cancer
         Biology”
         which has helped me in doing a lot of research. I would
         extend my heartiest thanks to my Biology teacher, Mr.Karan
         Sir and Mr.Mukesh sir for providing me with all the support
         I required at all times.
         I would like to gratefully thank my parents for providing
         me with all the facilities and a favourable environment
         at home.
         I would also thank my friends who have given me support
         and helped me in finalizing the project in the given time
         frame.
Page 3 of 25
               THANK YOU
               Paavni
               Class-XII
Page 4 of 25
                            Introduction                 5
                Description of Human Cancer Cells        6
                      Common types of cancer             7
           Difference between healthy and cancer cells   8-9
                  How does cancer cell get activated?    10
                        Cancer cell division             11-
                                                         12
                         Causes of Cancer                13
                     Cancer types- Symptoms,             14-
                            Prevention                   16
                       Diagnosis of cancer               17
                         Cancer Treatment                18
                    Case study of Cancer patient         19-
                                                         20
                            Conclusion                   21
                           Bibliography                  22
Page 5 of 25
                         Introduction
         Cancer is a group of diseases involving, abnormal cell
         growth with the potential to invade or spread to other
         parts of the body.
          Not all tumors are cancerous; benign tumors do not spread to
         other parts of the body. Possible signs and symptoms include
         a lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained
         weight loss and a change in bowel movements. While these
         symptoms may indicate cancer, they may have other causes.
         Over 100 types of cancers affect humans.
         These diseases are characterized by a cellular malfunction.
         Healthy cells are programmed to „know what todo and when to
         do it‟. Cancerous cells do not have this programming and
         therefore replicate and grow out of control.
         Cancerous cells in together are called Neoplasm.
Page 6 of 25
Page 7 of 25
        HUMAN CANCER CELLS
         Cancer cells are cells that divide relentlessly, forming solid
         tumors or flooding the blood with abnormal cells.
         Cancer cells have distinguishing histological features visible
         under the microscope. The nucleus is often large and irregular,
         and the cytoplasm may also display abnormalities.
         The shape, size, protein composition, and texture of the
         nucleus are often altered in malignant cells. The nucleus
         may acquire grooves, folds or
         Indentations, chromatin may aggregate or disperse, and
         the nucleolus can become enlarged.
         Different combinations of abnormalities are characteristic of
         different cancer types, to the extent that nuclear appearance can be
         used as a marker in cancer diagnostics and staging.
Page 8 of 25
               Cancer cell formation   Cancer cell multiplication
Page 9 of 25
    Breast Cancer
    Colorectal Cancer
    Kidney Cancer
    Lung Cancer
    Lymphoma- Non Hodge skin
    Melanoma
    Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer
    Pancreatic Cancer
    Prostate Cancer
    Thyroid Cancer
    Uterine Cancer
    Brain Cancer
Page 10 of 25
                Normal Cells                                  Cancer Cells
                                        Cell Reproduction
    Cell reproduction is needed to replenish       These cells may have gene mutations or
    the cell population that ages or becomes       chromosome mutations that affect the
    damaged or destroyed. Normal cells             reproductive properties of the cells. They
    reproduce properly.                            don't experience biological aging and
                                                   maintain their ability to replicate and grow.
                                              Cell
                                          Communication
    Cells communicate with other cells             Cancer cells lose the ability to
    through chemical signals. These signals        communicate with other cells through
    help normal cells to know when to              chemical signals. They also lose
    reproduce and when to stop reproducing.        sensitivity to anti-growth signals from
    Cell signals are usually transmitted into a    surrounding cells. These signals
    cell by specific proteins.                     normally restrict cellular growth.
                                        Cell Specialization
    Normal cells have the ability to                Cancer cells are unspecialized and do
    differentiate or develop into specialized      not develop into cells of a specific type.
    cells. For example, cells can develop into     Similar to stem cells, cancer cells
    heart cells, brain cells, lung cells or any    proliferate or replicate many times,
    other cell of a specific type.                 for long periods of time.
                                             Cell Death
    Normal cells have the ability to self          When the genes in a normal cell are
    destruct when they become damaged or           damaged beyond repair, certain DNA
    diseased.                                      checking mechanisms signal for cell
    Cells break down and are disposed of           destruction.
    by white blood cells.
Page 11 of 25
 Morphological DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
                          Normal AND
                       CANCER CELLS
                Normal Cells        Cancer Cells
                Large cytoplasm     Small cytoplasm
                Single nucleus      Multiple nuclei
                Single nucleolus   Multiple and large
                                        nucleoli
                Fine Chromatin     Coarse Chromatin
Page 12 of 25
                How Does Cancer cells activate?
  It is well known that cancer is preceded by damaged DNA.
  Because DNA is encoded with the instructions for cell behavior,
  damaged DNA can alter cell processes including those that
  regulate growth and division. This is supported by the fact that
  tissues which have a high cell-division rate, such as bone and
  lymph, are the most common sites for cancer.
  Some genes, encoded on DNA, act as a switch that can be turned
  on or off depending on cell needs. Free radicals have the ability
  to break DNA strands which can result in some genes being
  permanently switched on such is the case with cancerous cell
  growth. Although it is often taught that the DNA mutations that
  lead to cancer happen at random, research suggests there are
  epigenetic triggers that may increase prevalence of DNA
  damage.
Page 13 of 25
          CANCER CELL DIVISION
  Cell division is a normal process used by the body for growth
  and repair. A parent cell divides to form two daughter cells, and
  these daughter cells are used to build new tissue, or to replace
  cells that have died as a result of ageing or damage. Healthy
  cells stop dividing when there is no longer a need for more
  daughter cells, but cancer cells continue to produce copies.
Cancer is unchecked cell growth. Mutations in genes can cause
cancer by accelerating cell division rates or inhibiting normal controls
on the system, such as cell cycle arrest or programmed cell death
.As a mass of cancerous cells grows, it can develop into a tumor.
            Tumor formation           Cancer Development
Page 14 of 25
                             Four basic stages of cancer
                Differentiating between normal cell division and cancer
                                cell division
Page 15 of 25
                  CAUSES OF CANCER
                ⮚ Tobacco use is the cause of about 22% of cancer deaths.
                ⮚ Another 10% is due to obesity, poor diet, lack of physical
                  activity, and excessive drinking of alcohol.
                ⮚ Other factors include certain infections, exposure to ionizing
                 radiation and environmental pollutants.
           ⮚ In the developing world nearly 20% of cancers
             are due to infections such as hepatitis B,
             hepatitis C and human papillomavirus (HPV).
           ⮚ Approximately 5–10% of cancers are due to
             inherited genetic defects from a person's
             parents.
           ⮚
Page 16 of 25
        Most Common types of Cancer:
            Lung Cancer
             A cancer that begins in the lungs and most often occurs in people
            who smoke.
            Symptoms- Cough (often with blood), Chest pain, Wheezing
                        and weight loss.
            Prevention- Avoid smoking and carcinogens at work,
                       Eat diet full of fruits and vegetables,
                       Exercise most days of the week.
            Breast Cancer
                A cancer that forms in the cells of breasts.
            Symptoms- Bloody nipple discharge, discomfort,
                         inverted nipple, lump formation near
                         breasts.
            Prevention- Keep weight in check and be physically fit.
                            Avoid alcohol and smoking. Avoid birth control pills and
                            regular screening. Avoid post-menopausal hormones
Page 17 of 25
           Prostate Cancer
              A cancer in a man's prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland that
            produces seminal fluid.
            Symptoms- Urinary problems, Blood in the urine and semen.
                         Pain in the hips, pelvis, spine or upper leg. Pain or
                         discomfort during ejaculation.
            Prevention- Enough exercise. Maintaining a healthy and
                          a Balanced diet. Ensuring regular ejaculation.
                          Having green tea regularly.
         Throat Cancer
            Throat cancer refers to cancer of the voice box, the vocal cords,
            and other parts of the throat, such as the tonsils and oropharynx.
        Symptoms: Respiratory symptoms like coughing,
                   Blood wheezing, or shortness of breath, weight
                   loss, weakness, fever, a change in voice,Chest
                   pain, ear pain, hoarseness swollen lymph nodes in
                   the neck, difficulty in swallowing.
        Prevention: Don‟t smoke, check for radon at home, regular
                     exercise; eat variety of fruits and vegetables, limit the
                     intake of alcohol, have a cup of green tea.
Page 18 of 25
         Blood Cancer
            Most blood cancers, also called hematologic cancers, start in the bone
        marrow, which is where blood is produced. Blood cancers occur when
        abnormal blood cells start growing out of control, interrupting the function
        of normal blood cells, which fight off infection and produce new blood cells.
                            Types of blood cancers
     The three main types of blood cancer are leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma:
     Leukemia is a blood cancer that originates in the blood and bone marrow. It
     occurs when the body creates too many abnormal white blood cells and interferes
     with the bone marrow’s ability to make red blood cells and platelets.
     Lymphoma is a blood cancer that develops in the lymphatic system from cells
     called lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infections.
     Myeloma is a blood cancer that begins in the blood’s plasma cells, a type of white
     blood cell made in the bone marrow.
          Symptoms: Fever, chills, Persistent fatigue, weakness, Loss of appetite,
                   nausea, Unexplained weight loss, Night sweats, Bone/joint pain,
                   Headaches, Shortness of breath, Frequent infections, Itchy skin or
                   skin rash, Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
          Prevention: Avoid exposure to radiation, chemicals such as pesticides or
                     benzene, and to smoking or tobacco in any form. Additional
                     lifestyle behaviors, such as staying active and eating a healthy
                     diet
Page 19 of 25
     The detection and diagnosis of cancer are very
     important before it spreads to other parts of the body.
     Identification of cancer genes is very valuable to
     prevent cancer.
     The following methods are used to detect cancer –
     1.         Biopsy.
     2.         Histopathological studies of tissue.
     3.         Radiography technique.
     4.         Computed tomography.
     5.         Magnetic resonance imaging.
     6.         Molecular biology techniques.
Page 20 of 25
            Cancer can be treated in the following ways:
        Surgery
          Surgery, when used to treat cancer, is a procedure in which a
          surgeon removes cancer from the patient‟sbody.
        Radiation Therapy
          It is a type of cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill
          cancer cells and shrink tumors.
        Chemotherapy
           It is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
        Immunotherapy
          It is a type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer.
Page 21 of 25
       Name: Hina Khan
       Age: 37
       Sex: Female
       Blood group: B +
       Place of residence: Mumbai
       Marital status: Unmarried
       Profession: Actress
   ⮚   Cancer Type: BREAST CANCER (Stage 3)
Page 22 of 25
   ⮚ Problems:
                a) Change in size, shape, or appearance of the breast.
                   b) Breast rash.
                c) Discharge from nipples.
   ⮚ TESTS:
                a)Breast MRI.
                b)Mammograms.
                c) Breast Ultrasound.
                d)Biopsy.
   ⮚ TREATMENT:
        Combination of surgeries
                i. Chemotherapy
               ii. Radiation Therapy
              iii. Targeted Therapies
              iv. Hormonal Therapies
               v. Bisphosphonates
Page 23 of 25
   A plan for early detection of cancer is a key component within an
   overall cancer control plan. It enables cases to be detected at an earlier
   stage, when treatment is more effective and there are greater chances of
   cure.
   A cancer screening programme is a far more costly and complex
   undertaking than an early diagnosis programme. Therefore, where
   resources are limited, and where the majority of cases are diagnosed in
   late stages, early diagnosis of the most frequent cancers, linked to
   appropriate treatment, is likely to be the best option to reduce premature
   deaths and suffering due to cancer.
   Where the necessary resources are available, screening for cancers of
   the breast and cervix could be advocated, especially if there is high
   morbidity and mortality from such cancers. In high-resource settings,
   screening for colorectal cancer could similarly be justified. However,
   screening for other cancer sites must be regarded as experimental, and
   cannot be recommended at present as public health policy. Such
   screening should be implemented only as a research project, within a
   cancer control programme, and there should be mechanisms to evaluate
   the effectiveness of the screening. Research projects might include
   screening for cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, liver, lung, ovary,
   bladder, or prostate.
Page 24 of 25
                    BIBLIOGRAPHY
BOOKS:
                ● Ratogi, Veer Bala (2019), “Biology for ISC Schools”,
                  Srijan Publishers: New Delhi.
                ● Kleinsmith, J. Lewis (2006), “Principle of cancer biology”,
                  Pearson education: India, New Delhi
Websites: https://www.cancer.gov/about-
cancer/understanding/what-is cancer
https://www.medicinenet.com/cancer/article.htm
https://www.cancercenter.com/blood-cancers
https://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/home/mult
imedia/slideshows/ case-study/
Page 25 of 25