A theory of cellular-function pathology: further development of Virchow's theory of cellular pathology

A new theory of pathology is introduced. The human cell is an organism in i tself. It fulfills both cell-oriented and organism-oriented functions. Impa irment of either one of these functions may lead to disease. This means tha t a structural lesion of a cell is not a sole and necessary cause of the be ginning of disease. When a cell-oriented function is impaired the cell suff ers, but the overt symptoms at the organ-organism level might be absent for a very long time. This is how a chronic asymptomatic disease starts. Measu res of prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment should be centered upon mainte nance and restoration of a balance between the cell-oriented and organism-o riented cellular functons. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.