Abstract:
In this paper, we present a two-stage stochastic model of carcinogenesis in a two level random environment. The random
environment switches between two levels, say, 1 and 2 alternately. When the environment is in level 1, a normal cell
either divides into two normal cells or dies; and an intermediate cell divides into two intermediate cells or dies. When the
environment is in level 2, a normal cell either divides into two intermediate cells or divides into one normal cell and one
intermediate cell or divides into two normal cells or dies; and an intermediate cell either divides into two malignant cells
or divides into one intermediate cell and one malignant cell or divides into two intermediate cells or dies. It is assumed
that, once a malignant cell is produced, it generates a malignant tumor with probability 1. We obtain the mean numbers of
normal, intermediate and malignant cells.
