[Campbell Biology P.298] According to Figure 12.20 and the accompanying text, which of the f... | Practice Question

According to Figure 12.20 and the accompanying text, which of the following best describes the process of cancer metastasis?

  • A: Cancer cells invade neighboring tissue, then spread through lymph and blood vessels, and finally form a tumor at the original site.
  • B: A tumor grows from a single cancer cell, spreads through blood vessels, and then forms a new tumor at a distant location.
  • C: Cancer cells detach from the original tumor, enter blood and lymph vessels, and establish new tumors in distant parts of the body.
  • D: Malignant tumors grow in an uncontrolled way within normal tissue but never leave the original site.

Explanation

The text states that 'A few tumor cells may separate from the original tumor, enter blood vessels and lymph vessels, and travel to other parts of the body. There, they may proliferate and form a new tumor. This spread of cancer cells to locations distant from their original site is called metastasis see Figure 12.20 .' Figure 12.20 further illustrates cells spreading through lymph and blood vessels and forming a metastatic tumor.