HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

Can cancer cells continue living after you die?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

No: They die with the person -- perhaps even a bit faster as they're generally less adaptable.

Dr Deeken and another doctor agreed

Answered 5/22/2013

5.1k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

Henrrietta lacks cancer cells, still living and used for research, can you tell me about this?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I know cancer is not contagious but if someone with cancer bled on a desk then how long will the cancer cells stay alive in it?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

I know cancer is not contagious but if someone with cancer in their blood bled on a counter, how long would it take for the cancer cells to die?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Can strands of hair of a cancer patient whose demise had unfortunately occurred a year ago contain positive living cancer cells?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Stage 111 non small cell lung cancer. Had lobectomy, cancer in lymph node an chest wall. What are the symptoms when you get closer to death. ?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

Do cancer cells ever die off by themselves within the body without any intervention or do they ALWAYS multiply like everyone says they do?
How long would cancer cells stay alive outside body (not preserved )in an hostile condition ?
How can cancer cells escape programmed cell death?
In what ways can cancer cells escape programmed cell death?
Can you tell me more about henrrietta lacks cancer cells, still living and used for research?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.