Cancer

Overview

Cancer is a general term for a broad range of diseases that occur when cells mutate and divide abnormally, invading healthy tissue. Cells have the capability to grow, reproduce, die and they can also be replaced at a certain rate. When cells vary from this routine, they usually reproduce at a much faster rate than the usual. These extra cells then result in cancerous growths called tumors. A tumor can be benign, meaning it's not cancerous. But when these cells spread to other areas of the body and interfere with the functioning of healthy body systems and organs, it is called as cancer.

Types

There are over 100 types of cancer, with some of the most common cancers being skin cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer. A cancer is typically named by the part of the body it normally appears. But among cancers, there are a few broad types such as:

• Carcinoma: This cancer originates in the skin or the lining of the organs
• Sarcoma: Cancer of other tissues like bone, fat, muscle, blood vessels, cartilage and connective tissues
• Lymphoma/Myeloma: This type of cancer begins in the body's immune system cells
• Central Nervous System Cancer: This affects the spinal cord and the brain
• Leukemia: This cancer starts in the cells of the bone marrow

Some more common types of cancer are: bladder cancer, bone cancer, brain cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, metastic cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer and thyroid cancer.

Symptoms

There are no symptoms that appear common among all cancers. Each cancer affects different parts of the body in various ways and so the symptoms also differ accordingly. Each cancer has its own specific set of symptoms or sometimes none at all. Some general symptoms you should be aware of are:

• A severe blood cough indicates many different conditions, but it could be the first sign of a respiratory cancer.
• Changes in bowel movements or urination, including blood in urine or stool. A feeling of fullness after using the bathroom, persistent diarrhea or any change in your normal routine should be looked into to rule out cancers of the colon, rectum, bladder or kidneys.
• A lump anywhere on the body. While most tumors are benign, if you discover a lump on your breast, under your arm, or anywhere you should see a doctor immediately.
• Persistent pain, swelling, feelings of tightness or fullness and problems swallowing or breathing.
• Unusual menstrual changes
• A sore that won't heal, changes in a mole, or any change in the skin
• Any unusual change that doesn't go away after a short period of time

Causes/Risk Factors

No one can predict the cause for cancer, but obesity, smoking, alcohol use and exposure to carcinogens are huge risk factors in most of the cancers.

Tests/Diagnosis

Each type of cancer has specific tests for diagnosis, but they usually involve biopsy, blood tests, x-rays and MRIs.

Treatment

Most cancer treatments include removing the cancer through surgery. Radiation therapy is normally used to shrink the cancer or kill any remaining cells and chemotherapy is used to kill cancer cells completely from the body. If diagnosed and treated at early stages, most of the cancers are highly curable.