====== Cancer dormancy ======

>Clinical cancer dormancy is defined as an unusually long time between removal of the primary tumor and subsequent relapse in a patient who has been clinically disease-free. The condition is frequently observed in certain carcinomas (e.g., breast cancer), B-cell lymphoma, and melanoma, with relapse occurring 5–25 y later.\\ \\ Source :[[https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1106613108|PNAS]] 108  ( 30 )  12396-12400

There are a number of unanswered questions about cancer dormancy, including :

  * What are the cellular population dynamics and control mechanisms underlying clinical cancer dormancy? 
  * What is the cause of 'awakening' dormant cancer cells?
  * Is the mechanism of cancer dormancy the same for different types of cancer?
  * Do all long-term cancer survivors that are free of relapse also have dormant cancer cells hidden somewhere?
  * What is the role of both adaptive and innate immunity in controlling cancer,

>Clinical cancer dormancy is a fascinating and mysterious phenomenon. Its understanding will undoubtedly lead to new insights into cancer biology and possibly improved treatment.
>\\ [ Source as above ]