Tumorigenesis as a trauma response: the fragmentation of morphogenetic memory drives neoplastic dissociation

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new framework linking stress responses to tumor development, suggesting that trauma-induced tissue dysfunction leads to cancer, and advocates for therapies that restore tissue homeostasis.

Contribution

It introduces a novel perspective unifying evolutionary, developmental, and trauma psychology insights to understand tumorigenesis as a trauma response.

Findings

Tumorigenesis can be viewed as a trauma response involving tissue dysfunction.

Restorative therapies targeting tissue homeostasis may be effective against cancer.

The framework integrates stress perception with hallmarks of neoplastic growth.

Abstract

The mitigation of stress is a key challenge for all biological systems. Conditions of unresolvable stress have been associated with a diverse array of pathologies, from cancer to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here, I unify insights from evolutionary and developmental biology with trauma psychology to present a novel framework for tumorigenesis which synthesizes stress-perception, tissue dysfunction, and the hallmarks of neoplastic growth. This view carries therapeutic implications, suggesting a reintegrative approach that seeks to return cancer cells to the homeostatic control of the surrounding tissue.