Tumour cells and life expectancy: an exergy approach

Abstract

In the present work, the rate of living theory and exergy analysis are gathered to assess the effects of cancer on life expectancy. An exergy model of a cancer cell metabolism is proposed taking into account the changes in the metabolic paths. Results indicate a threefold increase in the rate of exergy metabolism of a cancer cell. Moreover, per mole of glucose, a cancer cell obtains 8.9 moles of ATP against 32 synthesised by a healthy one. However, because of the increase in the rate of glucose uptake, the metabolic routes of the tumour are less efficient but are faster. The analysis of a generic tumour progression indicates that, in the absence of treatment, survival time would be around three years. Furthermore, in case of complete removal of the tumour, every six months living with the disease would lead to a reduction of almost four years in life expectancy.