What is
cancer?
Cancer is the generic term used to describe a group of disorders
caused by an uncontrolled multiplication of cells, which usually
resulting in the destruction of neighbouring tissues. Gradually,
these tissues and organs stop functioning and death may occur.
The reasons for cells to start multiplying is unknown in most
cases. They may have some inbuilt abnormality or may be affected
by external influences.
What are the common terms associated with cancer?
Since cancer is a group of disorders, there are some terms
commonly used in the description of the disease.
1. Oncology – ‘onco’ meaning ‘cancer’, oncology is the study of
various types of cancers.
2. Tumour – a lump resulting from an uncontrolled growth of cells
which may be malignant or benign.
3. Malignant – a growth of cells that destroys the surrounding
tissue and spreads to other parts of the body.
4. Benign – a growth of cells that is not cancerous.
Both benign and malignant growths are unwanted multiplications of
cells, but whereas a benign growth does not generally leave the
place of its origin, a malignant growth usually destroys not only
the tissue of its origin but also the surrounding ones. This is
why cancers are caused due to malignant growths, which spread to
all areas of the body.
5. Carcinoma – a term synonymously used with cancer. But
carcinomas are specifically malignant tumours mostly forming on
the outlines (epithelium) of the affected organ. It is the most
frequently occurring form of cancer.
6. Sarcoma – another form of cancer where specifically the
connective tissue (that which supports the various parts of the
body), is affected. It is a malignant form and cancers of the
blood, lymphatic system, bone and the like, fall under this
category.
What are the symptoms?
Cancers appear in many different ways. Most often they are noticed
as a lump or growth in some part of the body. This is the case
with tumours that form on the outlines of organs. When the
cancerous growth is not physically identifiable, there may be
other revealing symptoms depending on the form of cancer and the
affected organ.
Cancer in the brain may have symptoms like headache, vomiting,
difficulty in walking, paralysis and memory problems. Tumours of
the intestine can present problems in bowel movements and pain in
the stomach. Lung cancers may be manifested by difficulty in
breathing and cough. Cancers of the breast are detected as a
painless lump. There may also be some deformity of one or both
breasts in some cases.
Some malignant tumours are manifested by abnormal bleeding from
the affected organ. For example, cancer of the intestine may
result in loss of blood in stools. Similarly, lung cancer may be
detected when the patient passes blood in the sputum. Pain, as
popularly believed, is not a common symptom of cancer. It only
occurs in some cases where a nerve is pressed due to rapid
enlargement of a tumour.
Other symptoms that may be common to all forms of cancer are a
lack of appetite, unexplained loss of weight, general feeling of
weakness and fatigue and increased proneness to infections.
How is it diagnosed?
In case blood is passed in stools or cough, the patient should see
a doctor. For confirmation, a biopsy of the affected organ is
done. In this procedure, a small part of the tissue is taken for
laboratory testing to detect the presence of cancerous cells.
In case of cancer of the lungs, liver, stomach or intestine, an
X-ray or ultrasound of the area may be taken. CT scans of the
organs may also be done for diagnosis. The diagnosis is always
made keeping in mind the patient’s previous medical history.
What is the treatment?
Treatment is most effective if the cancer is detected early.
Chemotherapy is the most common method of treatment for cancer
that has spread to other parts of the body. In this procedure, the
malignant cells are destroyed with the help of powerful chemicals
like methotrexate and vincristine which are given intra-venously
i.e. directly injected into the veins. This procedure requires a
hospital stay for the duration of therapy. It is also associated
with various side effects like loss of hair, nausea, vomiting,
loss of appetite and weakness for some days.
For a tumour that has not spread, radiotherapy or radiation, or
surgery may be done. In the former, the cells are destroyed with
the help of strong radioactive waves. The exact position of the
tumour is marked and the area is exposed to radiation under
strictly controlled conditions. This treatment is given in breaks
and in pre-determined doses.
Tumours that develop in organs under hormonal control like the
breast, thyroid or prostate, may also be treated with endocrine
therapy. In this treatment, either the source of the hormone is
removed or anti-hormone drugs are given. This treatment scores
over chemotherapy because it usually has less severe side effects.
But the doctor decides the best course of treatment depending on
the diagnosis of the form of cancer.
New research on Pancreatic
Cancer
deCODE Genetics makes
cancer breakthrough
Healthcare Provider
Prostate Cancer
Dividing Cancer Cells
Anti-tumor immunity
Cancer - treatment of Cancer, Cancer types,
Disease medicines, Cancer symptoms, Cancer and Disease symptoms, Cancer
symptoms Disease and diagnosis, Symptoms and Solutions, Signs and Symptoms,
type of Cancer, cause common, common Cancer, Cancer List, causes list,
Infectious Cancer, Causes, Diseases , Types, Prevention, Treatment and
Facts, Cancer information, Cancer: Definition, Cancer names, medical Cancer,
medical Cancer and disorders, cell Cancer, Cancer Worldwide, Cancer
Research, Cancer Control, Cancer Center, Digestive Cancer Week, Information
about Cancer, causes of different Cancer, Cancer Articles, Cancer and
conditions, Health and Cancer, Cancer Patients, Cancer and Sciences, causes
of alzheimer's Cancer, Cancer causes, alternative medicine heart Cancer,
body ailments, Cancer medicines, medical antiques, type of blood Cancer