What does cancer have to do with mitosis?

Answer 1

In research at the University of California it was first noticed that cells with malformed chromosomes were prolific in cancerous tumors. Further research revealed that when a carcinogen (a toxic particle) enters a cell that is dividing, it attaches to the mitotic spindle. This causes the chromosomes to divide unevenly, which then reform haphazardly. Thls results in daughter cells that are not identical. but are deformed. These cells with malformed chromosomes go on to replicate, and eventually they form cancerous tumors. Unfortunately, the malformed chromosomes can be passed down to offspring, the reason why cancer can run in families.

Answer 2

Cells normally have controls in place that prevent them from growing too quickly, or progressing through mitosis if they're not supposed to. Sometimes in cancer, the cells ignore these signals and go through mitosis even though they're not supposed to. This can result in too many cells.