intra-tumoral heterogeneity

Intra-tumoral heterogeneity refers to the presence of different types of cancer cells within a single tumor. These cells can vary in their genetic makeup, behavior, and response to treatment. This diversity makes tumors more adaptable and harder to eliminate completely because some cell populations may resist therapies that affect others. Understanding this heterogeneity is crucial for developing more effective, personalized cancer treatments and predicting how the disease might progress or recur.