Researchers may have discovered what triggers tumor formation

Advances in science already allow doctors and researchers to study cancer cells, even allowing them to monitor their behavior, crack their chemical makeup, track their growth, and even map their genome. However, no study has been able to pinpoint exactly what triggers the formation of tumors in the body.

However, according to a report released by Nature, researchers from three independent studies have been able to trace stem cells that would be responsible for cancer formation. This means that treatments, rather than acting on tumors, should perhaps focus on eliminating these cells first.

Killing Evil in the Root

Researchers have been able to observe in animal models that the appearance of tumors appears to be related to specific stem cells, and that their presence in tumors is what triggers their development.

However, while the evidence that certain stem cells may be responsible for the onset of the disease is extremely strong, researchers still need to identify exactly how these organisms work.

So if scientists can determine that these specific cells are really responsible for the emergence of various cancers - or all of them - this discovery has the potential to completely change the way we understand and treat this terrible disease.

Source: Nature