There is a theory among doctors and researchers that has divided the field of cancer treatment in recent years. It suggests that within a tumour there is a small group of special cancer seed cells that are able to resist chemotherapy and bring about the return of the cancer many months after treatment has been completed. This “cancer stem cell” theory may explain the unfortunate relapses seen with many cancer suffers and the tragic consequences for the patient and their family.
These cancer seed cells resemble so-called stem cells that normally renew the cells in our tissues and organs throughout our lives. Stem cells are very specialised parent cells that have the potential to turn into many cell types such brain, liver, brain, blood and so on. While we’re used to hearing about how stem cells are the saviour of modern medicine, cancer stem cells instead reproduce and sustain the cancer.


