Cancer
Cancer
is one of the most common diseases in the world in present era. It is estimated
that over 14 million people die from cancer each year, which is expected to
increase by more than 50% by 2020.
There
are several types of cancer. Breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancers are
among the most common types of cancer in men and women.
Tumors
start when abnormal cells grow out of control and form a mass called a tumor.
Tumors can be benign or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors do not invade
surrounding tissues. If they do invade tissue they're called malignant tumors.
The two main types of malignancy are carcinoma and sarcoma.
Carcinoma
is a general term for any tumor that begins as a cluster of cells that grows
without stopping, forming a mass called a carcinoma. Carcinomas can occur
anywhere in the body including inside the body (endocrine) or outside it.
Normal Cells
- Normal
cells are the most basic building blocks of our bodies. They have a
nucleus, which is a small structure at the center of the cell. The nuclei
of normal cells contain chromosomes that carry our genetic information.
Other organs and tissues in the body also have some ability to replicate,
but they are not as specialized or able to grow as quickly as normal
cells.
Cancer
occurs when cells in any part of the body go wrong, forming a tumor or mass. A
tumor may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors are
not harmful and can often be removed with little to no effect on the body’s
functioning. Malignant tumors spread into nearby tissues and can invade them if
left undiscovered and untreated. The most common types of cancer are:
Breast
cancer – affects 1 out of 8 womens
Prostate
cancer – affects 1 in 14 men
Cancer Cells
- Cancer
cells are a form of abnormal, uncontrolled growth. They can be found in
any organ or tissue, including the skin, gastrointestinal tract, lungs and
brain. Cancer cells are more aggressive than normal cells, which means
they grow rapidly and may invade other tissues to spread.
- Cancer
cells can also be activated by chemicals called oncogenes or tumor
suppressor genes. Oncogenes activate genes that cause the cell to grow
rapidly; tumor suppressor genes dampen the activity of oncogenes by
suppressing cell growth.
Cells
that have lost their normal functions become cancerous when they continue to
divide uncontrollably. For example, if a person has lost their ability to
produce an enzyme called p53 because of a mutation in their genetic material
(DNA), then they will develop leukemia (a type of blood cancer). If a person
does not have this gene and does not receive a transplant from someone with it,
then they will develop acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Types of cancer
There
are several types of cancer, with each having its own distinct symptoms and
treatments. Some cancers, like lung cancer, are caused by smoking. Other
cancers begin in organs like the brain or breast.
Cancer
can be deadly if it spreads to other parts of the body, occurs at an early
stage, or is not treated quickly enough. However, if diagnosed early, many
forms of cancer have excellent survival rates.
Carcinomas
Carcinomas
are the most common type of cancer. They are also the least understood. For
many years, it was believed that carcinoma is formed by a single cell that has
grown in an abnormal way. However, we now know that a carcinoma may start with
a small group of cells that then grow and form a tumor.
Carcinomas
are caused by abnormal cell growth, which is called dysplasia. Abnormal cell
growth can occur in any part of the body, but most often occurs in tissues with
high turnover rates such as skin, lungs and breasts. The most common sites
for these tumors to occur are:
Skin
(squamous cell carcinoma)
Lung
(small cell lung cancer)
Breast
(breast cancer)
Colon
(colorectal cancer)
Sarcomas
Sarcomas are a group of tumors that are rare, slow growing, and affect mainly young adults. They can occur anywhere in the body but most commonly in bone, muscle, or soft tissue.
Most
sarcomas develop from undifferentiated cells that have not yet committed to
becoming a specific type of cell (such as a blood cell or nerve cell). Sarcomas
develop when these undifferentiated cells change into mature cells that have
specific functions such as forming bone or producing blood cells or nerves. The
process by which sarcoma cells develop into mature cells is called
differentiation. Sarcoma cells do not form tumors (tumors are malignant
tumors), but rather benign growths known as sarcomas
Leukemias
Leukemia
is a blood cancer that affects the cells that make blood, known as white blood
cells. Leukemia starts when a person's white blood cells multiply out of
control and start forming abnormal clusters of cells in their bone marrow. If
left unchecked, leukemia can turn into a deadly form of leukemia called acute
lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).
In
this type of leukemia, most of the patient's white blood cells are destroyed.
The remaining cells are not able to fight infection or cancerous tumors and can
begin to grow out of control. Over time, this can cause the bone marrow to
become too small to produce average amounts of healthy blood cells.
Leukemia
affects men and women equally.
Types of leukemia
Acute lymphocytic leukemia
Acute
lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer that begins in white blood cells
and causes them to reproduce out of control. Usually, ALL begins in young
adults.
The
disease most often affects the bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes. It can
also affect other organs, including the brain and liver. Acute lymphocytic
leukemia may affect any part of the body, including the blood or organs. It may
also spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic
system. This can cause symptoms such as fever or swelling in other areas of
your body.
Acute
lymphocytic leukemia may be mild or it can be serious and life-threatening. The
disease progresses quickly if left untreated.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Chronic
lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow,
characterized by the presence of large numbers of abnormal lymphocytes. CLL can
be classified as primary, secondary, or CLL-like. The condition is more common
in men than women and typically occurs between ages 50 and 70.
The
cause of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is unknown, but it has been linked to
exposure to chemicals such as vinyl chloride and benzene. The disease tends to
occur more often among people who work with these chemicals on a regular basis.
Acute myeloid leukemia
Acute
myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow and
affects the blood.
Cancer
usually starts in the white blood cells, known as myeloblasts. These cells
later change into immature or abnormal cells called promyelocytes or
promyelocytes. This is a normal step in bone marrow development.
Normally,
when the promyelocytes mature they become platelets, which help to stop
bleeding. When they don't mature properly, they can become cancerous.
Acute
myelogenous leukemia is characterized by high levels of immature white blood
cell production which leads to rapid accumulation of these cells in the bone
marrow and bloodstream. This results in anemia, fever, weakness, and swelling
due to excess fluid retention with symptoms similar to those of infection or
kidney failure
Chronic myeloid leukemia
Chronic
myeloid leukemia (CML) is a cancer of the blood-forming tissue. It can start in
one of the cells which make plasma cells or in one of the cells that make red
blood cells. The cells that make plasma cells are called B-cells, while those
that make red blood cells are called A-cells.
Chronic
myeloid leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, which are part of the
body's immune system. These white blood cells help fight infection by making
proteins called antibodies that attach themselves to bacteria and viruses,
killing them.
The
exact cause of chronic myeloid leukemia is not known but it appears to be
inherited. In some people with CML, a genetic change may cause the abnormal
growth of cancerous cells that occurs in most cases of
chronic
myeloid leukemia.
Lymphomas
The cells of the immune system are responsible
for the body's defense against foreign substances, such as bacteria and
viruses. Lymphoma is cancer in which these cells multiply out of control.
Lymphoma can affect any part of the body,
including the skin, stomach, lungs, and brain. The most common types of
lymphoma are Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).
The following are some facts about lymphoma:
Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in
children under 15 years old.
In 2018, more than 14,000 people died from
lymphoma in the United States alone.
Types of lymphomas:
Hodgkin lymphomas
Hodgkin lymphomas are a group of cancers that
affect the lymph nodes. These cancers develop in the white blood cells of the
body, which are part of the immune system. The most common type is Hodgkin
lymphoma, which affects about 10 people per 100,000 each year.
Hodgkin lymphoma occurs mostly in adolescents and
young adults but can occur at any age. It begins as Reed-Sternberg cells, which
appear as small nodules in one or more lymph nodes. The nodules may be painless
or tender and may be found near a collarbone (at the base of the neck) or under
a rib cage. They usually do not cause symptoms until they have begun to grow or
become larger than 1 cm (0.4 inches).
The disease is named after Thomas Hodgkin, who
first described it in 1832.
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a group of cancers
that affect the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels
and organs that drains fluids from your body, including blood, lymph and some
types of cells.
The four types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are:
Burkitt's lymphoma (also called Burkitt disease)
is an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that occurs mainly in children
and young adults. It starts in the bone marrow or in the spleen but can also
spread to other parts of the body.
Mantle cell lymphomas are slow-growing, often
indolent forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that occur mainly in older adults. They
usually affect people who were exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus as children or
young adults.
T follicular helper (T FH ) cells are part of
the immune system that helps to fight infection by destroying germs such as
bacteria or viruses. T FH cells can develop into B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas
(NHL).
Lymphomas
The cells of the immune system are responsible
for the body's defense against foreign substances, such as bacteria and
viruses. Lymphoma is cancer in which these cells multiply out of control.
Lymphoma can affect any part of the body,
including the skin, stomach, lungs, and brain. The most common types of
lymphoma are Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).
The following are some facts about lymphoma:
Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in
children under 15 years old.
In 2018, more than 14,000 people died from
lymphoma in the United States alone.
Types of lymphomas:
Hodgkin lymphomas
Hodgkin lymphomas are a group of cancers that
affect the lymph nodes. These cancers develop in the white blood cells of the
body, which are part of the immune system. The most common type is Hodgkin
lymphoma, which affects about 10 people per 100,000 each year.
Hodgkin lymphoma occurs mostly in adolescents
and young adults but can occur at any age. It begins as Reed-Sternberg cells,
which appear as small nodules in one or more lymph nodes. The nodules may be
painless or tender and may be found near a collarbone (at the base of the neck)
or under a rib cage. They usually do not cause symptoms until they have begun
to grow or become larger than 1 cm (0.4 inches).
The disease is named after Thomas Hodgkin, who
first described it in 1832.
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a group of cancers
that affect the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels
and organs that drains fluids from your body, including blood, lymph, and some
types of cells.
The four types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are:
Burkitt's lymphoma (also called Burkitt
disease) is an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that occurs mainly in
children and young adults. It starts in the bone marrow or in the spleen but
can also spread to other parts of the body.
Mantle cell lymphomas are slow-growing, often
indolent forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that occur mainly in older adults. They
usually affect people who were exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus as children or
young adults.
T follicular helper (T FH ) cells are part of
the immune system that helps to fight infection by destroying germs such as
bacteria or viruses. T FH cells can develop into B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas
(NHL).
marginal zone (MZ) B cells are another type of
B cell that can develop into NHL.
Cancer spreads
The cancer spreads when there is a change in the
genetic material of cells. Sometimes, this change can be a mutation or a
rearrangement of DNA, which is known as genetic drift. A mutation may occur
when a cell divides and one daughter cell has a different genome than the other
daughter cell. When this happens, it is called spontaneous mutation.
Alternatively, a new gene copy can be created in the process of mitosis and
meiosis, which is known as genetic recombination. This process can also lead to
mutations.
When cancer cells are not able to die, they may
continue to grow and divide without stopping. This can lead to cancerous tumors
forming in different parts of the body. If the tumor begins to invade nearby
tissues or spread beyond them into distant organs such as the brain or bones,
it is referred to as metastasis.
Diagnoses of cancer
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body
grow and spread out of control. The word "cancer" means
"abnormal growth." Cancer can develop from any part of the body, or
it may begin in an organ.
Cancer starts when mistakes are made during
cell division — the process by which immature cells grow into mature ones. In
most cases, these mistakes lead to the development of a cancerous tumor (a
group of abnormal cells). The primary goal of treatment is to eliminate all
traces of cancer so that the body's own immune system will be able to fight off
any remaining cells.
The following are some signs that might
indicate that you have cancer:
Blood tests. Blood tests can detect whether
there is something wrong with your blood. Blood tests
aren't always available and they aren't always reliable; many other things may
cause a false-positive result from a blood test if you have cancer or another
illness such as leukemia.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a procedure to look at the
inside of your colon, the last part of your digestive tract. It's done with a
long, thin tube that has a tiny camera on one end and a light on the other. The
doctor will usually only do this test if you have symptoms of colon cancer,
such as blood in your stools or pain in your abdomen.
The colonoscopy involves drinking a liquid
through a tube that goes down into your stomach and then up into your large
intestine. The liquid contains an agent that causes you to lose most of the
water from your stool so that only small pieces of stool remain behind. This
makes it easier for doctors to look at the inside of your colon using a special
camera attached to the end of the tube.
Afterward, some people may feel dizzy or
nauseated. But most people don't have any side effects from this test.
Mammography
Mammography is a screening test that uses
X-rays to examine breast tissue. Mammograms are usually performed after an
initial breast examination and may be repeated every 1 to 2 years as
recommended by your doctor.
During a mammogram, an X-ray machine takes
multiple images of your breasts from different angles. These images are then
reviewed by one or more radiologists (specialists in interpreting medical
imaging). You will be asked to lie on your back with your feet together and
arms at your sides. The radiologist will place a small amount of gel over one
breast, then pull down on it with a machine called a breast holder. This causes
the other breast to move into view. The radiologist will look for any
abnormalities in the tissue between two views of the same area.
Pap test
The Pap test is a simple and inexpensive
screening tool that is used to detect the presence of cervical cancer. The pap
test can be done at home, and it's painless and inexpensive. It doesn't require
an office visit, hospitalization, or any special equipment or expertise.
The Pap test is a simple and inexpensive
screening tool that is used to detect the presence of cervical cancer. The pap
test can be done at home, and it's painless and inexpensive. It doesn't require
an office visit, hospitalization, or any special equipment or expertise.
The Pap test looks for abnormal cells in your
cervix that could lead to cervical cancer. Normal cells are usually flat with
clear borders; abnormal cells have wavy, irregular edges or a weakly positive
reaction with a minor portion of the cell being read (this is called
induration).
Treat of Cancer
Cancer is a disease that affects the body's
cells. The cells in your body grow and divide more frequently than normal,
which can lead to serious health problems over time. Cancer is a group of
diseases characterized by abnormal cells that grow and spread rapidly, forming
a mass or lump in the body.
Cancer starts when cells in a tissue (such as
skin) begin to multiply out of control. They can also form when mutations occur
in normal genes that control cell division. When these mutations occur, the
cell is no longer able to follow its normal genetic blueprint for growth and
division.
Cancer begins with one cell dividing
incorrectly or going haywire. As more cells begin to grow out of control, they form
a mass called a tumor or growth (tumor). The abnormal cells may continue
growing uncontrollably until they invade nearby tissues and start to spread
throughout your body.
Complications of Cancer
The most common complication of cancer is that
it grows and spreads. This can occur at any time during the course of the
disease and can be fatal.
Cancer may cause a person to bleed from the
body, or become extremely weak and frail due to loss of blood or other fluids.
Cancer can also cause anemia (low red blood cells) which can lead to dizziness,
confusion, or even fainting.
Other complications of cancer include:
Infections - These may be caused by cancer
cells, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy drugs. Infections may occur in any area
where the skin has been removed by surgery. Infections are often treated with
antibiotics.
Pain - Pain is one of the most common side
effects of cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy drugs which use strong
chemicals to kill cancer cells. Pain can last for months after treatment ends
and may continue after surgery as well as during recovery periods following
other treatments such as radiation therapy or immunotherapy (chemotherapy
combined with a vaccine). Some pain medications are also available over the
counter without a prescription (such as aspirin).
Stroke - Stroke is caused by bleeding in the
brain that cannot be stopped with standard remedies such as aspirin.
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