Cancer cell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a cell of a cervical carcinoma. Carcinomas are cancers of the lining membranes of organs. This cell shows an uneven surface and many cytoplasmic projections. Clumps of cancerous cells form tumours, which possess the ability to invade and destroy surrounding tissues. Tumours can also travel to unrelated parts of the body and give rise to secondary tumours. Malignant cells proliferate and grow in a chaotic manner, with defective cell division retained within each new generation of cells. Cancer of the cervix is one of the most common cancers affecting women, and is often fatal. Magnification unknown.