Modelling cancer tumours
The number and variety of mathematical models of solid tumour growth reflect the complexity of the phenomena involved. Most models focus on a single spatial scale of interest (subcellular, cellular or organ), even though there is compelling evidence that behaviour at these scales is closely linked. Equally, the models typically describe generic or idealised tumours rather than specific ones such as breast or lung. Models of chemotherapy have tended to focus on relatively simple, phenomenlogical models at the macroscale and neglect factors such as spatial heterogeneity, aspects of the cell cycle and the subcellular mechanisms by which drug-induced cell kill is achieved and drug resistance acquired.