Rethinking Cancer: Genetic Insights and Evolutionary Models

This chapter explores the defining hallmarks of cancer and its organized nature, challenging traditional views of cancer as merely a diverse set of diseases. It discusses the role of somatic mutations, genetic variations, and the Atavism model, suggesting that cancer may revert to ancient genetic pathways. The chapter emphasizes the complex relationship between cancer, genetics, and evolutionary biology, highlighting the balance required for healthy multicellularity affected by cancerous growth.