-- Posted by hI jAMES at 4:39 pm on Sep. 17, 2008 Every cell has a thing called a Glycocalyx which is basically the "sugar covering." This is used as an identifier. An Ovum (egg cell) has a distinct Glycocalyx (all cell types have a different one) and this is how Sperm cells recognize it. So on to Cancer cells. Cancer cells can actually change their Glycocalyx almost continuously. This is why our Immune System cannot fight off these cells. Our Immune System recognition mechanisms cannot keep up with the changes. So they live and reproduce as usual. Found this interesting. I'm sorry. -- Posted by Hontoshimu at 4:40 pm on Sep. 17, 2008 clever little killing machine -- Posted by CommonInquirer at 4:41 pm on Sep. 17, 2008 NOOOOO.... I think I might have learned something   -- Posted by chaosdisown at 4:41 pm on Sep. 17, 2008 only if the people who had cancer knew. -- Posted by hI jAMES at 4:46 pm on Sep. 17, 2008 Let it be known that they're are other reasons too.  But this is one I found really interesting. -- Posted by shutter bugs at 4:48 pm on Sep. 17, 2008 yer, this is why some people say cancers are *a natualr thing*, and why you have to check all the time for chamges ect -- Posted by hI jAMES at 4:50 pm on Sep. 17, 2008 Defense against cancer: Changes in the glycocalyx of cancerous cells enable the immune system to recognize and destroy them This was on Wikipedia. Wow, a textbook from my college says the exact opposite. -- Posted by Petchy at 4:56 pm on Sep. 17, 2008 Quote: from jamesish at 12:50 am on Sep. 18, 2008 Defense against cancer: Changes in the glycocalyx of cancerous cells enable the immune system to recognize and destroy them This was on Wikipedia. Wow, a textbook from my college says the exact opposite. No thats true, I got an A level in biology. -- Posted by hI jAMES at 5:00 pm on Sep. 17, 2008 Quote: from Petchy at 7:56 pm on Sep. 17, 2008 Quote: from jamesish at 12:50 am on Sep. 18, 2008 Defense against cancer: Changes in the glycocalyx of cancerous cells enable the immune system to recognize and destroy them    This was on Wikipedia.    Wow, a textbook from my college says the exact opposite. No thats true, I got an A level in biology. Which is? -- Posted by shutter bugs at 5:02 pm on Sep. 17, 2008 Quote: from jamesish at 9:50 am on Sep. 18, 2008 Defense against cancer: Changes in the glycocalyx of cancerous cells enable the immune system to recognize and destroy them This was on Wikipedia. Wow, a textbook from my college says the exact opposite. wikpedia can be changed by anyone, however, some people have been miracualy healed without or not much treatment, also some with alteritive treatment, but it depends on what kind of cancer. obviously you know more than me, just wanted to share my insight   -- Posted by hI jAMES at 5:10 pm on Sep. 17, 2008 I would imagine it just depends on the cancer cell type.