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Ad Libitum |18 September 2001

The Cancer Cells Sum Up

Rae Varcoe, MA, MB, ChB, FRACP, FRCPA

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  • Auckland Hospital Auckland 1, New Zealand

    Requests for Single Reprints: Rae Varcoe, MA, MB, ChB, FRCPA, FRACP, Auckland Hospital, Park Road, Private Bag 92024, Auckland 1, New Zealand.

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I am startled by the blue beauty
of the cancer cell
it is bound only
by its neighbour's intimacy
integrating itself softly
like an exotic alien
into the unresisting tissues
of its owner
here, it insinuates
into the artery's intima
stretching its luxurious surface
along the endothelium
to reach the cut margin
where its compatriot
has already set sail
like a pirate
moving to claim territory
in the wider shores of the lungs
this elegant mosaic
each regular azure tile
annealed to its neighbour
is interrupted only
by the exuberance
of mitotic figures
announcing new divisions
heralding multiplication
adding up to extinction
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Varcoe R. The Cancer Cells Sum Up. Ann Intern Med. ;135:470. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-135-6-200109180-00018

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Published: Ann Intern Med. 2001;135(6):470.

DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-135-6-200109180-00018

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2001 American College of Physicians
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Print ISSN: 0003-4819 | Online ISSN: 1539-3704

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