Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cancer cells?

Cancer cells are known for several key characteristics that distinguish them from normal cells. One of these characteristics is abnormal cell proliferation, which means that cancer cells typically grow and divide uncontrollably. This leads to the formation of tumors and can invade surrounding tissues.

Another essential characteristic of cancer cells is dedifferentiation, where these cells lose their specialized functions and characteristics, reverting to a more primitive or stem-like state. This dedifferentiation contributes to the aggressiveness of cancer and its ability to adapt to various environments within the body.

Cancer cells also exhibit the ability to metastasize, which refers to their capacity to spread to other parts of the body beyond their original site. This process makes cancer particularly dangerous, as it can lead to the development of secondary tumors in different organs.

In contrast to these characteristics, cancer cells do not have a normal lifespan. While normal cells have specific life cycles and undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis) when they reach the end of their lifespan, cancer cells often evade these controls, leading to continuous division and growth. This evasion of normal cellular checkpoints and lifespan contributes significantly to the malignancy of cancer cells. Thus, indicating that they have a normal lifespan is inaccurate.