Oncology Nursing Growth & Division: Key Differences Between Normal & Cancer Cells Feature Normal Cells Cancer Cells Growth Control Regulated cell cycle Uncontrolled division Contact Inhibition Present Absent Apoptosis (Cell Death) Normal Evades apoptosis Nucleus Single, small Large, irregular Chromosomes Stable Genetically unstable, mutated Differentiation Well-differentiated Poorly differentiated Adhesion Strong Weak (metastasis) Angiogenesis Regulated Excessive Function Performs specialized roles Loss of function Spread Localized Invades tissues & metastasizes IV. Clinical