Which key concept should the nurse include when teaching about the development of cancer cells?

• A. Cancer cells always require external growth factors to proliferate.
• B. Cancer cells often evade normal cell cycle controls, leading to uncontrolled cell division.
• C. Cancer cells are unable to invade surrounding tissues.
• D. Cancer cells typically have a lower rate of mutation than normal cells.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the key characteristics of cancer cells: Cancer cells are abnormal cells that grow and divide uncontrollably, often evading the normal regulatory mechanisms of the cell cycle.
2. Review the role of the cell cycle in normal cells: The cell cycle is tightly regulated by checkpoints and growth factors to ensure proper division and prevent errors. Cancer cells often bypass these controls.
3. Clarify the concept of external growth factors: Normal cells typically require external growth factors to stimulate division. However, cancer cells can often proliferate without these external signals, making the first statement incorrect.
4. Explain the invasive nature of cancer cells: Cancer cells are capable of invading surrounding tissues and spreading to other parts of the body (metastasis), which makes the third statement incorrect.
5. Discuss mutation rates in cancer cells: Cancer cells often have a higher rate of mutation compared to normal cells, contributing to their ability to evade controls and adapt, making the fourth statement incorrect. The correct concept is that cancer cells evade normal cell cycle controls, leading to uncontrolled division.