From Anatomy to Ecology: Distinguishing Localized from Systemic (Marrow-Centric) Cancers

The prevailing cancer taxonomy, grounded in anatomy and histology, fails to account for the systemic ecologic behavior of many common malignancies. Reframing cancer through the lens of localized vs. marrow-centric behavior reveals new therapeutic targets, surveillance strategies, and explanatory models for recurrence and resistance. By embracing this ecological paradigm, oncology can evolve beyond its surgical-histologic roots toward a precision model rooted in systems biology and dynamic immunoendocrine regulation.