Two Types of Cancer: Active and Dormant

Not all cancers are created equal. And understanding the difference might save your life.

Dr. Bob Melamede made a crucial distinction between solid tumors and blood cancers (leukemias, lymphomas). They behave differently, respond to treatment differently, and may require different approaches.

Solid Tumors

Solid tumors—breast, lung, colon, prostate—grow in a specific location. They create their own microenvironment, recruit blood vessels, and build a kind of fortress. The tumor is a community of cells, not just a collection of individual rogues.

This microenvironment often becomes hypoxic (low oxygen) and acidic. The Warburg effect thrives here—cancer cells fermenting glucose even when oxygen is scarce.

The endocannabinoid system can potentially disrupt this microenvironment. Cannabinoids have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis (blood vessel formation) and promote apoptosis in solid tumor cells.

Blood Cancers

Blood cancers are different. The cancer cells circulate throughout the body. There's no tumor to cut out, no microenvironment to disrupt. The cancer is everywhere and nowhere.

These cancers often respond better to chemotherapy because the drugs can reach the cancer cells wherever they are. But they also require different thinking about treatment goals and strategies.

"You can't treat all cancers the same way. The biology matters."

Why This Matters

If you or someone you love is dealing with cancer, understanding this distinction is crucial. The research on cannabinoids and cancer is mostly on solid tumors. The mechanisms that work for solid tumors may not apply to blood cancers.

The Forward-Looking approach means being specific, not generic. Don't assume what works for one cancer will work for another. Do your research. Ask questions. Understand the biology of your specific situation.

That's what Dr. Bob would have done.