>>11985046it can mutate, it can engage in autocrine signaling, it can modify pathways (generally growth pathways but not always)
epithelial cancers often mutate out a percentage of extracellular adhesion molecules that keep them linked to other epithelia and basal membrane
they often secrete matrix metalloproteases and other ECM-remodeling enzymes to break down basal membrane but in some cases there are also growth factors embedded in ECM (extra-cellular matrix) which are beneficial
once it's through the BM into the stroma you often see recruitment of fibroblasts into CAF's which act like activated fibroblasts in wound healing. sometimes in tumor environments you see a shitload of collagen production which can stiffen the tumor and increase interstitial pressure, which, along with pH reduction due to hypoxia can make tissue penetration of anticancer drugs difficult.
tumors can modify the immune response as well. it's beneficial to encourage macrophage differentiation into a phenotype that modulates the immune response to attack it less. Cancer cells are also known to express extracellular self-recognition factors that prevent normal autoimmunity and reduce immune responses.
At extreme levels, you have cancer cells mutating part of the major histocompatibility complex which is involved in a process of immune targeting of cancer that you see a lot in immunotherapy techniques
cancer can do a lot of fucked up shit, anon. it's amazing that we've reduced it's lethality as much as we have. but a big part of why the elderly succumb to it is because their aging immune system often doesn't even do anything to attack the cancer, and the treatment can be very harsh and can lead to an earlier demise. of course, you have cases on the other hand of people that just wanted to live out their life and might've been saved by chemo or radiation or other treatment. every single cancer is different, although there are recurring themes, esp. on a molecular level
