This document discusses how proto-oncogenes can become cancer-causing oncogenes through mutations or alterations. Proto-oncogenes are normal genes involved in cell growth, but mutations can cause them to produce excess growth proteins. There are two main ways mutations can occur: point mutations involving a single DNA base change, and chromosomal rearrangements like translocations. Point mutations can change amino acids, while rearrangements can fuse genes or place a gene near a strong promoter. Other alterations include deletions removing gene controls, translocations moving a gene to a new location with different expression, and gene amplification through extra DNA replication. Overall, various mutations and alterations can disrupt normal gene expression and regulation, transforming proto-oncogenes into onc