A woman has been diagnosed with melanoma, a skin cancer that develops in fully differentiated skin cells called melanocytes. She is concerned that the skin cancer risk could be transferred to her future offspring. Should she be concerned about this? Choose the best answer below.
A) Yes, because skin cancer has become part of her somatic cell make-up.
B) Yes, because skin cancer cells would be present in the developing offspring.
C) No, because skin cancer has occurred in her somatic cells, not her gametes.
D) No, because her treatment will be completed before she attempts to have children.
Answers
a)
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The answer to cancer will be transferred or not will be- C) No, because skin cancer has occurred in her somatic cells, not her gametes.
•Cancer refers to the uncontrolled growth of cells.
•When cells growth can't be regulated, it causes cancer which occurs on activation of oncogenes, specifically responsible for this.
•Cancer is of two types - malignant and benign.
•Malignant cancer spreads into the body and is termed as the tumour.
•Benign cancer remains intact at its place.
•Cancer is a non-hereditary disorder. It occurs due to mutation in cells.
•Cancer is only inherited, in case if certain mutated gene passes through families.
•Since cancer has occurred in melanocytes, which can not be transferred to offspring, there is no fear of heredity of cancer.