Why do malignant cells invade surrounding tissues?

Malignant cells invade surrounding tissues primarily due to their parasitic nature and lack of beneficial function. Unlike healthy cells, which contribute positively to the body's overall function and homeostasis, malignant cells exhibit uncontrolled growth and do not have regulatory mechanisms that govern normal cell behavior.

These cancerous cells often use the resources of adjacent tissues to sustain their growth and survival, leading to the destruction of those tissues. This invasion is characterized by aggressive proliferation and the ability to proliferate in an uncontrolled manner. The lack of differentiation in malignant cells further supports their ability to invade other tissues, as they do not fulfill typical roles that maintain tissue architecture and function.

In contrast, establishing beneficial relationships with healthy cells or enhancing immune responses would suggest a cooperative interaction, which is not consistent with the behavior of malignant cells. Their growth characteristics are typically uncontrolled rather than controlled, and their function is generally detrimental rather than beneficial, reinforcing their invasive behavior in surrounding tissues.