Eli5: Why is cancer so harmful to the body?

Question

I understand that cancer is uncontrolled reproduction of cells but why is that so harmful? How do extra cells make is so sick?

In: Biology

Answer 1

There is limited resource in the human body. Checkpoints exist in regular cells that prevent a cell from the overconsumprion of resources. Regular cells evenetually die whenever it is “corrupted” or when it no longers function as it is suppose to. Cancer cells bypass these checks and destroy the body equilibrium. This is oversimplified, but should should explain the basics.