A chilling animation shared on YouTube gives an in-depth look at how cancer actually develops inside the human body.Created by Dr. Vinay Samuel Gaikwad, the video focuses on how mutations at the cellular level spark this devastating disease that continues to claim millions of lives around the world each year.
Even though data from the American Cancer Society shows that overall death rates from cancer have dropped, the numbers for 2025 are still alarming. They predict 2,041,910 new cancer cases and 618,120 deaths in the United States alone.
In the animation, the narrator explained: “These mutations can cause the cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. As the mutated cells multiply, they can form a mass called a tumor.”Cancerous tumors are classified as either benign or malignant. Benign tumors are non-cancerous and usually stay localized, meaning they don’t spread to other parts of the body or cause major damage.
Malignant tumors, however, are a much bigger threat. These types tend to invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body through a process called metastasis, which makes treatment much more difficult.
Cancer cellsGetty Stock Image
“The exact cause of these genetic mutations is often not known, however, certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing cancer.” the narrator continued, pointing to various risk factors that can contribute to cancer development.Many viewers who came across the video found the explanation extremely intense. One person commented: “So scary!”
“What came before hospitals?” asked another, clearly taken aback by how detailed and unsettling the information was.
A similarly grim video posted by Dr. Paulien Moyaert back in May tackled the journey from cancer diagnosis to death and didn’t hold back on how brutal it can be.In her breakdown, Dr. Moyaert illustrated how cancer can spread throughout the body and eventually cause organs to shut down. If cancer reaches the digestive system, for example, it can stop the body from breaking down and absorbing nutrients properly.
She also explained that tumors can physically block waste from being eliminated from the body. Without urgent surgery, this blockage could be fatal in a short amount of time.
Another haunting scenario shown in the simulation was what happens when cancer hits the pancreatic ducts. In such cases, the pancreas may begin to digest itself, which is as terrifying as it sounds.That’s why pancreatic cancer is widely considered to be one of the most excruciating and deadliest types out there.
When cancer spreads to the lungs, it can become extremely dangerous. A person may eventually lose the ability to breathe properly, and lack of oxygen can lead to death by asphyxiation.
“Having cancer impairs immunity.” the narrator pointed out. “And chemotherapy compounds the problem by suppressing the bone marrow – the factory where white blood cells are produced.”Cancer doesn’t just damage organs directly. Treatments like chemotherapy, and even the cancer itself, can weaken the bone marrow—where blood cells are made—which affects the immune system badly.
“When cancer grows in the bone marrow, there will eventually be inadequate bone healthy bone marrow to make blood cells.” the animation continued, highlighting just how serious the impact can be when cancer invades the body’s blood cell production center.
Malignant tumors can be life-threateningGetty Stock Image
When bone marrow is compromised like this, it can lead to several major health issues. These include anemia, a dangerous drop in white blood cells—your body’s natural defenders and a loss of platelets, which help stop internal and external bleeding.The video also explained the role of cachexia, a condition where the body starts wasting away due to toxins released by cancer cells. These toxins reduce appetite and disrupt the normal digestion process.
This is why many people with cancer suffer from severe weight loss and shrinking muscle mass, even if they’re trying to eat properly.
The narrator explained: “Cachexia is estimated to occur in 50 percent of all cancer patients and is thought to directly cause up to 30 percent of cancer deaths because of heart of respiratory failure related to muscle loss.”Cachexia has also been linked to around 50 percent of deaths in patients battling gastrointestinal cancers. In cases of advanced pancreatic cancer, that number can jump to as high as 80 percent.
Though certain treatments may help manage cachexia for a while, if the cancer keeps spreading, the body may eventually reach a point where it simply can’t fight anymore.
