Three independent studies have now shown that our understanding of the physical makeup of cancer tumors has been based on a myth.

The conventional view of cancer is that it results from genetic mutations within ordinary cells that cause them to divide uncontrollably into a tumour that can then spread to other parts of the body. This suggests all cancer cells are created equal.

But, a portion of the cells are now seen to be "cancer stem cells" which are responsible for causing a tumor to grow and develop. Treatments, therefore, can be focused on killing these cells rather than targeting the wider community of tumor cells.

(READ the story in the Independent) – Photo by Ed Uthman, CC license on Flickr