Still, some normal cells do divide quickly, including cells in hair follicles, nails, the mouth, digestive tract, and bone marrow (bone marrow makes blood cells). Chemotherapy also can unintentionally harm these other types of rapidly dividing cells, possibly causing chemotherapy side effects.

What causes rapidly dividing cells?

Overexpression of growth factors or a lack of suppressor proteins can lead to rapid uncontrolled cell division. As cells proliferate without regulation, tumors occur that can become deadly if not treated. Mitosis occurs infinitely.

What happens when cells rapidly divide?

Conclusion. Cancer is unchecked cell growth. Mutations in genes can cause cancer by accelerating cell division rates or inhibiting normal controls on the system, such as cell cycle arrest or programmed cell death. As a mass of cancerous cells grows, it can develop into a tumor.