Question

Are neurons likely to be a site for cancer formation? Why or why not?

Answer 1

The answer is no.

Neurons are among a special class of terminally-differentiated cells that remain in a quiescent state for long periods of time known as the \(G_0\) (gap zero) phase of mitotic interphase ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G0_phase). Since they for the most part do not reproduce, cancer -- which is essentially unchecked cellular division usually caused by a corrupted genome (e.g. UV rays may damage DNA and might lead to skin cancer) -- is very unlikely in neurons.