Chemical carcinogenesis — the price for DNA-repair?

This essay examines the possibility of merging the mutation theory of cancer with the hypothesis that cancer is a change in the state of the differentiation of cells. It is suggested that during normal development DNA rearrangements occur, concerning genes which code for differentiation specific cell communication proteins. These proteins are responsible for the proper functioning of growth control in a multicellular organism. DNA-damaging agents — mutagens — induce DNA repair enzymes, some of which may catalyse illegitimate genome rearrangements, thus leading to a change of the balance between growth and differentiation. A cell with a selective advantage may arise and become the origin of a tumor.