Cancer is a disease that afflicts our society and is at the forefront of scientific research around the world. Many advances have been made in cancer research and the development of potential therapies or cures. However, cancer remains one of the most important health problems to this day. There are many unanswered questions about this condition, and even careful research usually leads to more questions. Cancer stem cells are a type of cancer cell that plays an intimate role in determining the potential aggressive behavior of cancer. Cancer stem cells have taken the research world by storm and, although hotly debated, could potentially lead to the development of cancer therapies and impact the future of cancer treatment, or even a cure. In order to understand cancer stem cells, one must first understand stem cells in general. The idea of ​​cancer stem cells was proposed over 100 years ago, but has recently become a major topic of interest due to the similarities they share with normal stem cells. The idea of ​​cancer stem cells has sparked research because subcomponents of stem cells have been located in tumors of the breast, brain, and other organs. The parallels between cancer stem cells and stem cells have led to a theory or hypothesis about cancer stem cells and could one day hopefully lead to the eradication of cancer. Stem cells are a controversial and highly debated area of ​​biological research. They are essentially the master cells of the body and embody important characteristics. According to Jordan, Guzman, and Noble, “stem cells have three distinctive properties: self-renewal, the ability to develop into multiple lineages, and the potential to proliferate extensively” (1253). Characteristics of ...... middle of paper ...... are sometimes a temporary means to an end, "cancers that appear to be successfully cleared immediately after treatment can and often do recur later at some point. new site” (Goldthwaite, 93). Research and development aims to directly target cancer stem cells and avoid damage to healthy tissue. Goldthwaite also shows us that "if the CSC hypothesis proves correct, then a strategy designed to selectively target CSCs could potentially stop tumor 'seeds' before they have a chance to germinate and grow." propagate” (93). Eliminating the cancer stem cells responsible for tumor growth could potentially cure a patient. Leaving the cancer stem cells and simply destroying the tumor is not beneficial. Clearly understanding how cancer stem cells evade therapies may also lead to more effective cancer treatments..