What is it?
The term is derived from the word malignant which means “Highly Dangerous to Health”.Malignancy means presence of malignant tumor. Cells with abnormal growth and invading other tissues in the body cause such different cancers.They spread to the other parts through blood and lymph system (near to white fluid which has white blood cells and is important part of immune system).
What are its Types?
Carcinoma -Beginning in the skin or in tissues that cover internal organs e.g:- skin, lung, colon, pancreatic, ovarian cancers.
Sarcoma -Cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue e.g:-bone, soft tissue cancers.
Leukemia -Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow.
Lymphoma and Myeloma -Cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system.
Central Nervous System cancers -Cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord -- "brain and spinal cord tumors".
What are its Causes?
Till now there has been no such list of particulars given which when consumed or exposed will lead to causing of cancer. Yet some other things which when taken precaution from can reduce the chances of having cancer. Those are
- Environmental or Lifestyle - Speaking of environment, sunlight, dusty atmosphere, smoke from vehicles, passive smoking, X-rays can be things which should be avoided.Second part which is lifestyle involves eating junk food, lack of exercise, neglecting the symptoms; higher frequency of self medication can have risk of inviting such disease.
- Chemical or Toxic Compound Exposures
- Ionizing Radiation
- Pathogens
- Genes related to cancer (breast, ovarian, colorectal, prostate, skin)
- Consumption of processed meats, red meat.
It has been impossible to determine the initiating event that causes a cancer to develop in a specific person.
What are its Symptoms?
Symptoms depend upon the type and location of the cancer
What are its Symptoms?
Symptoms depend upon the type and location of the cancer
How to Diagnose?
Lab Tests
Blood, urine, or other body fluids that measure these substances are used by doctors for diagnosis
CT Scan
Series of Detailed Pictures of Organs is taken.
Ultrasound
An Ultrasound device sends out sound waves. The waves bounce off tissues inside your body like an echo. These echoes are used to create a picture of areas inside your body. This picture is called a sonogram.
X-ray
X-rays use low doses of radiation to create pictures of the inside of your body.
Biopsy
With Needle - Needle is used to withdraw tissue or fluid.
With Endoscope - The doctor looks at areas inside the body using a thin, lighted tube called an endoscope. The scope is inserted through a natural opening, such as the mouth. Then, the doctor uses a special tool to remove tissue or cells through the tube.
With Surgery - Surgery may be excisional or incisional.
- In an excisional biopsy, the surgeon removes the entire tumor. Often some of the normal tissue around the tumor also is removed
- In an incisional biopsy, the surgeon removes just part of the tumor.