No, tumors are not entirely composed of dead cells; they are complex masses containing both living and dead cells.
While some parts of a tumor, particularly the necrotic core, may contain dead or dying cells, the entire tumor is not a collection of dead cells. A necrotic core, while predominantly dead, might still contain some living cells. According to research, even in a necrotic region, "not all the cells are dead."
Here's a breakdown:
- Tumor Composition: Tumors are composed of a mixture of cells, including:
- Living, actively dividing cancer cells.
- Supportive cells (e.g., blood vessel cells, immune cells).
- Dead or dying cells (especially in the center of larger tumors).
- Necrotic Core: The center of a rapidly growing tumor may outstrip its blood supply, leading to cell death (necrosis). However, this necrotic core is not uniformly dead.
- Importance of Living Cells: The living cancer cells are responsible for tumor growth, spread (metastasis), and resistance to treatment.
