Compared to normal cells, which live in an environment with a pH of 7.2 to 7.4, tumors generate a surrounding microenvironment of pH 6.5 to 6.9.19 Why do cancer cells put so much effort into acidifying their surroundings?20 Because the acidity give the cells a huge survival advantage. Normal cells are injured in an acidic environment and undergo apoptosis, while cancer cells tolerate the acidity fairly well.
