Many cancers originate from a single cancer cell and evolve through early bursts of chromosome changes

A comprehensive multi-cancer study by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has revealed that cancer cells within tumors are genetically diverse, yet all carry the same core genetic changes that can be traced back to a common ancestral cell, providing a single-cell view of how tumors adapt, survive and diversify. Understanding this helps explain why some cancer cells manage to survive treatment, paving the way for more tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.