Abstract

Cancer, in general, is considered a disease of genetic mutation. Many questions are, however, unanswered. How exactly do mutations occur in the cells? How do gene mutations interface with the cell microenvironment and macroenvironment to create cancer phenotypes? Is mutation the cause of cancer or the consequence of special adaptive responses to aging; hormonal imbalance; physical, chemical and biologic stresses and damage? What makes cancer spread in the body and invade other organs causing death to the patient? In this paper, we hypothesize that the cellular hyperexcitability via stimulation of mineral channels (e.g. sodium voltage-gated channels) and ligand excitatory receptors (e.g. glutamate and other neuron and non-neuronal excitatory receptors) could be a significant causative and pathogenic factor of cancer. Managing hyperexcitatory states of the cells through lifestyle, nutritional changes, phytochemical and pharmaceutical medications theoretically could be a prospective direction in cancer prevention and therapy.