Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Assuming that the bulk of cancer is caused by epigenetic dysfunction, why is heart cancer so rare compared to something like brain cancer?

Both neurons and heart cells do not divide further after being specialized, therefore there will not be any genetic errors caused from mitosis. Cancer in the brain and heart, for the most part, should just be a collection of epigenetic errors that accumulate over time. Why then, does the brain get cancer and the heart does not?

Hi Luke54163,

You're right, neurons do not divide; however, neurons make only a portion of the brain. Glial cells (astrocytes, microglia, etc.) that make the rest of the brain, do in fact divide. Brain is also exposed to lots of different injuries, from physical trauma to ischemia, which contribute to the risk of developing cancer.


Peter S.