Types and Treatments of Cancer
Cancer is a disease that starts in the cells in a person’s body. It is caused by a series of alterations in the genes that control cell growth. These changes may be inherited, acquired, or caused by lifestyle habits. The primary cause of cancer is exposure to carcinogens. Other factors may play a role as well.
There are over 100 different types of cancer. They vary in both the types of cells that grow them and in the ways that they spread. These diseases can be treated.
Often, a patient can expect a combination of treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy. The treatment for each type of cancer will vary from person to person. These treatments are designed to destroy the cancer by killing the cells that are growing the tumor. In some cases, the cancer may be cured. However, the prognosis for a person depends on the type of cancer that they have and the stage at which it has become worse.
Most cancers have a tendency to spread, or metastasize, from the original site. This occurs when the cells travel through the bloodstream to distant parts of the body. The escaped cancer cells can form new tumors. These tumors can also grow in the bones, muscles, and lymph nodes. This is called invasive cancer.
When a cancerous tumor grows in a nearby part of the body, it is called local invasion. The cancerous cells are usually able to get oxygen from the nearby blood vessels. They can then push on the normal tissue near the tumor. The tumor can eventually grow into the nearby tissue and may be life-threatening.
These tumors can sometimes be large. They are usually hard to remove by surgical means. In some cases, a tumor can be very painful. In these instances, surgery can be performed to cut out the tumor. If a tumor is located in a part of the body that cannot be removed by surgery, radiation can be used to kill the cancer cells.
Although most cancers are cured, some are fatal. Luckily, cancers are becoming more and more treatable. A number of new therapies are available, such as immunotherapy, which increases the ability of the immune system to recognize and attack cancerous cells. Some treatments target specific chemical pathways that spur the growth of cancer.
The best way to treat cancer is to catch it in the early stages. This is because the longer a cancer is left untreated, the more likely it will spread to other parts of the body. Some people are diagnosed when they first present with symptoms, while others are discovered during routine screening examinations.
Cancer is a disease that affects over one million Americans every year. This is more than any other condition in the United States. Thankfully, the mortality rate has decreased by 26% since 1991. The use of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery has improved the prognosis for many types of cancer.
Cancer is a disease that starts in the cells in a person’s body. It is caused by a series of alterations in the genes that control cell growth. These changes may be inherited, acquired, or caused by lifestyle habits. The primary cause of cancer is exposure to carcinogens. Other factors may play a role as well. There are over 100 different types of cancer. They vary in both the types of cells that grow them and in the ways that they spread. These diseases can be treated. Often, a patient can expect a combination of treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy. The treatment for each type of cancer will vary from person to person. These treatments are designed to destroy the cancer by killing the cells that are growing the tumor. In some cases, the cancer may be cured. However, the prognosis for a person depends on the type of cancer that they have and the stage at which it has become worse. Most cancers have a tendency to spread, or metastasize, from the original site. This occurs when the cells travel through the bloodstream to distant parts of the body. The escaped cancer cells can form new tumors. These tumors can also grow in the bones, muscles, and lymph nodes. This is called invasive cancer. When a cancerous tumor grows in a nearby part of the body, it is called local invasion. The cancerous cells are usually able to get oxygen from the nearby blood vessels. They can then push on the normal tissue near the tumor. The tumor can eventually grow into the nearby tissue and may be life-threatening. These tumors can sometimes be large. They are usually hard to remove by surgical means. In some cases, a tumor can be very painful. In these instances, surgery can be performed to cut out the tumor. If a tumor is located in a part of the body that cannot be removed by surgery, radiation can be used to kill the cancer cells. Although most cancers are cured, some are fatal. Luckily, cancers are becoming more and more treatable. A number of new therapies are available, such as immunotherapy, which increases the ability of the immune system to recognize and attack cancerous cells. Some treatments target specific chemical pathways that spur the growth of cancer. The best way to treat cancer is to catch it in the early stages. This is because the longer a cancer is left untreated, the more likely it will spread to other parts of the body. Some people are diagnosed when they first present with symptoms, while others are discovered during routine screening examinations. Cancer is a disease that affects over one million Americans every year. This is more than any other condition in the United States. Thankfully, the mortality rate has decreased by 26% since 1991. The use of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery has improved the prognosis for many types of cancer.