Inflammation and cancer: causes and consequences.

The link between chronic inflammation and increased risk of developing some cancers is well established. The molecular mechanisms that underlie this process (cause) as well as the chronic inflammation that accompanies cancer (consequence) continue to be elucidated. Cancer-associated inflammation has effects on the ability of cancers to metastasize, on the clinical manifestations of cancer, and on the ability of the patient to tolerate anticancer therapy. The identification of biomarkers of cancer-associated inflammation will assist in identifying patients at risk of its consequences.