Description

Cancer refers to any of a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Cancer often has the ability to spread throughout your body.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world. But survival rates are improving for many types of cancer, thanks to improvements in cancer detection, treatment and prevention.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms caused by cancer will vary depending on what part of the body is affected.

Some of the signs and symptoms associated with, but not specific to, cancer, include:

  • Fatigue
  • Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin
  • Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain
  • Changes in the skin, such as yellowing, darkening or redness of the skin, sores that won't heal, or changes in existing moles
  • Changes in bowel or bladder habits
  • Persistent cough or shortness of breath
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Hoarseness
  • Persistent indigestion or discomfort after eating
  • Persistent, unexplained muscle or joint pain.
  • Persistent, unexplained fevers or night sweats
  • Bleeding or bruising unexplained

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that worry you.

If you do not have signs or symptoms, but are concerned about your cancer risk, discuss your concerns with your doctor. Ask about which cancer screening tests and procedures are appropriate for you.

Causes

The cancer is caused by changes (mutations) in the DNA within the cells. The DNA inside a cell is packaged into a large number of individual genes, each of which contains a set of instructions telling the cell what functions to perform, as well as the way in which they grow and divide. Errors in the instructions can cause the cell to stop its normal function and may allow a cell to become cancerous.

What are mutations in the gene do?

A mutation can cause a healthy cell to:

  • Enable rapid growth. A mutation in the gene can say that a cell will grow and divide more quickly. This creates many new cells that all have the same mutation.
  • Does not stop the uncontrolled growth of cells. Normal cells know when to stop growing, so that you have the proper amount of each type of cell. Cancer cells lose the controls (tumor suppressor genes) that tell them when to stop growing. A mutation in a tumor suppressor gene that allows cancer cells to continue growing and accumulating.
  • Making mistakes in the repair of DNA errors. DNA repair Genes to look for errors in a cell's DNA and make corrections. A mutation in a DNA repair gene may mean that other errors are not corrected, leading cells to become cancerous.

These mutations are the most common found in the cancer. But many other genetic mutations may contribute to the cause of cancer.

What causes gene mutations?

Gene mutations can occur for several reasons, for example:

  • Mutations of the genes that you are born with. You may have been born with a genetic mutation that is inherited from their parents. This type of mutation represents a small percentage of cancers.
  • Gene mutations that occur after birth. Most gene mutations occur after birth and is not inherited. A number of forces can cause gene mutations, such as smoking, radiation, viruses, cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens), obesity, hormones, chronic inflammation and lack of exercise.

Gene mutations occur frequently during normal cell growth. However, cells contain a mechanism that recognizes when an error occurs and repairs the error. Occasionally, an error is lost. This could cause a cell to become cancerous.

How mutations of the genes interact with each other?

Mutations of the gene that is born to you and that you acquire throughout your life to work together to cause cancer.

For example, if you have inherited a genetic mutation that predisposes them to cancer, that does not mean that you are sure to have cancer. In its place, you may need one or more of other mutations in the gene that causes cancer. His inherited gene mutation could make it more likely than other people to develop cancer when exposed to certain substances that cause cancer.

It is not clear how many of the mutations must accumulate for cancer of the way. It is likely that this varies between cancer types.

Risk factors

While doctors have an idea of what that may increase your risk of cancer, most cancers occur in people who do not have known risk factors. Factors known to increase the risk of cancer include:

Age

The cancer can take decades to develop. That is why the majority of people diagnosed with cancer are 65 years of age or older. Although it is more common in older adults, cancer is not exclusively an adult disease — cancer can be diagnosed at any age.

Their habits

Certain lifestyle choices are known to increase the risk of cancer. Smoking, drinking more than one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men, excessive exposure to the sun or frequent blistering sunburns, obesity, and having unprotected sex can contribute to cancer.

You can change these habits to lower your risk of cancer — though some habits are easier to change than others.

The story of your family

Only a small portion of cancers are due to an inherited condition. If cancer is common in your family, it is possible that the mutations are transmitted from one generation to the next. You might be a candidate for genetic testing to see if you have inherited mutations that may increase the risk of certain types of cancer. Keep in mind that you have inherited a gene mutation does not necessarily mean you will get cancer.

Your health conditions

Some chronic health conditions, such as ulcerative colitis, can greatly increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Talk with your doctor about your risk.

Your environment

The environment around you may contain harmful chemicals that can increase your risk of cancer. Even if you do not smoke you can inhale second-hand smoke if you go to where the people smoke, or if you live with someone who smokes. Chemicals in your home or place of work, such as asbestos and benzene, are also associated with an increased risk of cancer.

Complications

Cancer and its treatment can cause several complications, including:

  • Pain. The pain may be caused by cancer or by cancer treatment, although not all cancer is painful. Medications and other approaches that can effectively treat cancer-related pain.
  • Fatigue. Fatigue in people with cancer has many causes, but can often be managed. The fatigue associated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy treatments is common, but is usually temporary.
  • Difficulty breathing. The cancer or the cancer treatment can cause a feeling of lack of air. The treatments can bring relief.
  • Nausea. Certain types of cancer and cancer treatments can cause nausea. Your doctor can sometimes predict if your treatment is likely to cause nausea. Medicines and other treatments can help prevent or reduce nausea.
  • Diarrhea or constipation. Cancer and its treatment can affect the intestines and cause diarrhea or constipation.
  • The loss of weight. Cancer and cancer treatment can cause weight loss. Cancer steals food from normal cells and deprives them of nutrients. This is often not affected by the amount of calories or what type of food you eat, it is difficult to treat. In most cases, the use of artificial nutrition through the tube in the stomach or in the vein does not help to change weight loss.
  • Chemical changes in your body. The cancer can affect normal chemical balance in the body and increase the risk of serious complications. The signs and symptoms of chemical imbalances can include excessive thirst, frequent urination, constipation, and confusion.
  • The brain and nervous system problems. The cancer can press on nearby nerves and cause pain and loss of function of a part of your body. The cancer is in the brain can cause headaches, and stroke-like signs and symptoms, such as weakness on one side of your body.
  • Unusual reactions of the immune system to cancer. In some cases, the body's immune system may react to the presence of cancer from attacking healthy cells. So-called paraneoplastic syndromes, these very rare reactions can lead to a variety of signs and symptoms, such as difficulty walking and seizures.
  • Cancer that spreads. As the cancer progresses, it may spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. When the cancer spreads depends on the type of cancer.
  • The cancer returned. Cancer survivors have a risk of recurrence of the cancer. Some types of cancer are more likely to recur than others. Ask your doctor about what you can do to reduce your risk of cancer recurrence. Your doctor can develop a plan of follow-up care after treatment. This plan can include periodic inspections and examinations in the months and years after your treatment, to look for a recurrence of the cancer.

Prevention

Doctors have identified several ways to reduce your cancer risk, such as:

  • Stop smoking. If you smoke, stop smoking. If you don't smoke, don't start. Smoking is linked to several types of cancer — not just lung cancer. Stopping now will reduce your risk of cancer in the future.
  • Avoid excessive exposure to the sun. The harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can increase the risk of skin cancer. Limit sun exposure by staying in the shade, wear protective clothing or applying sunscreen.
  • Eat a healthy diet. Choose a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Select whole grains and lean proteins. Limit the intake of processed meats.
  • Exercise most days of the week. Regular exercise is linked to a lower risk of cancer. Try to do at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. If you have not been exercising regularly, start out slowly and work your way up to 30 minutes or more.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of cancer. Work to achieve and maintain a healthy weight through a combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise.
  • Drink alcohol only in moderation, if you choose to drink. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
  • Hours of cancer screening tests. Talk with your doctor about what types of cancer of the exams are the best for you, based on their risk factors.
  • Ask your doctor about the vaccines. Certain viruses increase your risk of cancer. Vaccines can help prevent the virus, such as hepatitis B, which increases the risk of liver cancer, and human papillomavirus (HPV), which increases the risk of cervical cancer and other cancers. Ask your doctor if the immunization against these viruses is right for you.

Diagnosis

Detection of cancer

The diagnosis of cancer in its early stages, often offers the best chance for a cure. With this in mind, talk with your doctor about what types of cancer screening may be appropriate for you.

For some types of cancer, studies show that screening tests can save lives by diagnosing cancer early. For other types of cancer, screening is only recommended for people with increased risk.

A variety of medical organizations and patient-advocacy groups have recommendations and guidelines for the detection of cancer. Review the various guidelines with your doctor and together you can determine what is best for you, based on their own risk factors for cancer.

Diagnosis of cancer

Your doctor may use one or more of these methods to diagnose cancer:

  • Physical exam. Your doctor may feel areas of your body for lumps that may indicate cancer. During a physical exam, your doctor can look for abnormalities, such as changes in the color of your skin or the enlargement of an organ, which may indicate the presence of cancer.
  • The laboratory tests. Lab tests, such as urine and blood tests, may help your doctor identify abnormalities that can be caused by the cancer. For example, in people with leukemia, a common blood test called a complete blood count may reveal an unusual number or type of white blood cells.
  • Imaging tests. Imaging tests allow your doctor to examine the bones and the internal organs in a non-invasive manner. Imaging tests used in the diagnosis of cancer may include a computed tomography (CT) scan, bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan, ultrasound and X-rays, among others.
  • The biopsy.During a biopsy, the doctor takes a sample of cells for laboratory analysis. There are several ways to collect a sample. That biopsy procedure is right for you depends on your type of cancer and its location. In most cases, a biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose the cancer. In the laboratory, doctors look at samples of cells under the microscope. Normal cells with a uniform appearance, with similar sizes and tidy of the organization. Cancer cells are less ordered, with different sizes and for no apparent organization.

The biopsy. During a biopsy, the doctor takes a sample of cells for laboratory analysis. There are several ways to collect a sample. That biopsy procedure is right for you depends on your type of cancer and its location. In most cases, a biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose the cancer.

In the laboratory, doctors look at samples of cells under the microscope. Normal cells with a uniform appearance, with similar sizes and tidy of the organization. Cancer cells are less ordered, with different sizes and for no apparent organization.

Cancer stages

Once cancer is diagnosed, your doctor will work to determine the extent (stage) of the cancer. Your doctor uses your stage of cancer to determine your treatment options and your chances of healing.

Essay of procedures and tests may include imaging tests, such as bone scans or X-rays, to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The stages of cancer are indicated by numbers, 0 to 4, which is often written as Roman numerals from 0 to IV. Higher numbers indicate a more advanced cancer. For some types of cancer, the stage of the cancer is indicated the use of letters or words.

Treatment

Many cancer treatments are available. Your treatment options will depend on several factors, such as the type and stage of your cancer, your overall health and your preferences. Together, you and your doctor can weigh the benefits and risks of each treatment for the cancer to determine which is best for you.

The objectives of the treatment of cancer

Cancer treatments have different objectives, such as:

  • The cure. The goal of treatment is to achieve a cure for cancer, which allows you to live a normal life. This may or may not be possible, depending on your specific situation.
  • The primary treatment.The objective of primary treatment is to completely remove the cancer from your body or kill cancer cells. Any treatment for cancer can be used as a primary treatment, but the most common type of primary cancer treatment for the most common cancer is surgery. If your cancer is particularly sensitive to radiation therapy or chemotherapy, you may receive one of those therapies as their primary treatment.
  • Adjuvant treatment.The goal of adjuvant therapy is to kill cancer cells that may remain after primary treatment with the aim of reducing the likelihood that the cancer will recur. Any treatment for cancer can be used as an adjuvant therapy. Common adjuvant therapies including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.
  • The palliative treatment.Palliative treatments can help relieve the side effects of the treatment or of the signs and symptoms caused by the cancer itself. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy can all be used to relieve the symptoms and control the spread of the cancer when cure is not possible. Medicines can relieve the symptoms such as pain and shortness of breath. Palliative treatment can be used at the same time as other treatments intended to cure his cancer.

The primary treatment. The objective of primary treatment is to completely remove the cancer from your body or kill cancer cells.

Any treatment for cancer can be used as a primary treatment, but the most common type of primary cancer treatment for the most common cancer is surgery. If your cancer is particularly sensitive to radiation therapy or chemotherapy, you may receive one of those therapies as their primary treatment.

Adjuvant treatment. The goal of adjuvant therapy is to kill cancer cells that may remain after primary treatment with the aim of reducing the likelihood that the cancer will recur.

Any treatment for cancer can be used as an adjuvant therapy. Common adjuvant therapies including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.

The palliative treatment. Palliative treatments can help relieve the side effects of the treatment or of the signs and symptoms caused by the cancer itself. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy can all be used to relieve the symptoms and control the spread of the cancer when cure is not possible. Medicines can relieve the symptoms such as pain and shortness of breath.

Palliative treatment can be used at the same time as other treatments intended to cure his cancer.

Treatments for cancer

Doctors have many tools to treat cancer. Cancer treatment options include:

  • Surgery. The goal of surgery is to remove the cancer or as much of the cancer as possible.
  • Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.
  • The radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells. Treatment with radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy), or it can be placed inside your body (brachytherapy).
  • Bone marrow transplant.Bone marrow transplant is also known as a stem cell transplant. The bone marrow is the material found inside bones that makes blood cells. A bone marrow transplant may use their own cells or cells from a donor. A bone marrow transplant allows your doctor to the use of higher doses of chemotherapy to treat the cancer. It can also be used to replace the diseased bone marrow.
  • Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy, also known as biological therapy, uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. The cancer can survive without a mark on his body, because your immune system doesn't recognize it as an intruder. Immunotherapy can help your immune system "see" the cancer and attack it.
  • The hormone therapy. Some types of cancer are fueled by the hormones of the body. Examples include breast cancer and prostate cancer. The elimination of the body's hormones or blocking their effects can cause the cancer cells to stop growing.
  • Targeted drug therapy. Targeted drug treatment focuses on specific abnormalities within cancer cells that allow them to survive.
  • Clinical trials. Clinical trials are studies to investigate new ways to treat cancer. Thousands of cancer clinical trials are underway.

Bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow transplant is also known as a stem cell transplant. The bone marrow is the material found inside bones that makes blood cells. A bone marrow transplant may use their own cells or cells from a donor.

A bone marrow transplant allows your doctor to the use of higher doses of chemotherapy to treat the cancer. It can also be used to replace the diseased bone marrow.

Other treatments may be available to you depending on your type of cancer.

Alternative medicine

There are alternative treatments for cancer have been shown to cure cancer. But the alternative medicine options may help you cope with the side effects of cancer and its treatment, such as fatigue, nausea, and pain.

Talk with your doctor about the alternative medicine options may offer some benefit. Your doctor may also discuss whether these treatments are safe for you, or if it may interfere with your cancer treatment.

Some alternative medicine options that are found to be useful for the people with cancer are:

  • Acupuncture
  • Hypnosis
  • Massage
  • Meditation
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Yoga

Coping and support

A cancer diagnosis can change your life forever. Each person finds his own way to deal with the emotional and physical changes cancer brings. But when you're first diagnosed with cancer, it is sometimes difficult to know what to do next.

Here are some ideas to help you cope:

  • Learn enough about cancer to make decisions about your care. Ask your doctor about your cancer, including treatment options and, if you like, your prognosis. As you learn more about cancer, you can be more confident in making treatment choices.
  • Keep friends and family close. Keep your close relationships strong will help you deal with your cancer. Friends and family can provide the practical support you need, such as help to take care of your house if you're in the hospital. And that you can serve as emotional support when you feel overwhelmed by the cancer.
  • Find someone to talk to.Find a good listener who is willing to listen to you talk about your hopes and fears. This can be a friend or family member. The concern and understanding of a counselor, medical social worker, clergy member or cancer support group may also be useful. Ask your doctor about support groups in your area. Other sources of information are the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.

Find someone to talk to. Find a good listener who is willing to listen to you talk about your hopes and fears. This can be a friend or family member. The concern and understanding of a counselor, medical social worker, clergy member or cancer support group may also be useful.

Ask your doctor about support groups in your area. Other sources of information are the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.

Preparing for your appointment

Start by making an appointment with your doctor if you have any of the signs or symptoms that worry you. If your doctor determines that you have cancer, you probably refers to one or more specialists, such as:

  • The doctors who treat cancer (oncologists)
  • The doctors who treat cancer with radiation (radiation oncologists)
  • The doctors who treat diseases of the blood and the formation of tissues (hematologists)
  • Surgeons

Because appointments can be brief, and because there is often a large amount of information to discuss, it is a good idea to be prepared. Here's some information to help you prepare and know what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there is anything that you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Write down your family history of cancer. If other members of your family has been diagnosed with cancer, make a note of the types of cancer, as each person is related to you and the age of the person I was when diagnosed.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • Consider the possibility of a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write questions to ask their doctor.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of their time together. A list of questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For cancer, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What type of cancer do I have?
  • What stage is my cancer?
  • Will I need additional tests?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • Can treatments to cure my cancer?
  • If my cancer can't be cured, what can I expect from treatment?
  • What are the possible side effects of each treatment?
  • There is a treatment that you feel is best for me?
  • How much time do I need to start treatment?
  • How will the treatment affect my daily life?
  • I can continue to work during treatment?
  • There are clinical trials or experimental treatments are available to me?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I manage them during my cancer treatment?
  • Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
  • You should see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?
  • What is going to determine whether I should plan for follow-up visits?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, do not hesitate to ask other questions that occur to you.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you a series of questions. Be ready to answer them may allow time later to cover other points you want to address. Your doctor may ask:

  • When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • Does anyone in your family have cancer?
  • Have you ever had cancer before? If so, what type and how is it treated?
  • Have you ever been exposed to chemical substances in the home or at work?
  • Do you smoke or use tobacco?
  • Have you ever been diagnosed with hepatitis a infection, or human papilloma virus infection?
Symptoms and treatment of Cancer