as of November 21, 2009
Cancer Corner
OVERVIEW
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.
CAUSES/RISK FACTORS
Cells are the building blocks of living things. Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body doesn't. Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too rapidly. It can also occur when cells “forget” how to die.
There are many different kinds of cancers. Cancer can develop in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, skin, bones, or nerve tissue.
There are multiple causes of cancers, including:
-Radiation
-Sunlight
-Tobacco
-Certain viruses
However, the cause of many cancers remains unknown.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of cancer depend on the type and location of the tumor. For example, lung cancer can cause coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain, while colon cancer often causes diarrhea, constipation, and blood in the stool.
Some cancers may not have any symptoms at all. In some cancers, such as gallbladder cancer, symptoms often are not present until the disease has reached an advanced stage.
However, the following symptoms are common with most cancers:
-Fever
-Chills
-Night sweats
-Weight loss
-Loss of appetite
-Fatigue
-Malaise
CARE/TREATMENT
Treatment also varies based on the type of cancer and its stage. The stage of a cancer refers to how much it has grown and whether the tumor has spread from its original location.
-If the cancer is confined to one location and has not spread, the goal for treatment would be surgery and cure. This is often the case with skin cancers.
-If the tumor has spread to local lymph nodes only, sometimes these can also be removed.
-If all of the cancer cannot be removed with surgery, the options for treatment include radiation, chemotherapy, or both. Some cancers require a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
PREVENTION
One of the best ways to prevent cancer is to not smoke or chew tobacco. Many cancers can be prevented by avoiding risk factors such as excessive exposure to sunlight and heavy drinking.
Cancer screenings, such as mammography and breast examination for breast cancer and colonoscopy for colon cancer, may help catch these cancers at their early, most treatable stages. Some people at high risk for developing certain cancers can take medication to reduce their risk
Real Stories, Expert Advice
Health Corner Videos: Cancer
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In the News: Cancer
Micro-Endoscope Designed To Seek Out Early Signs Of Cancer
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171696.php
Traditional endoscopes provide a peek inside patients' bodies. Now, a University of Florida engineering researcher is designing ones capable of a full inspection. Physicians currently insert camera-equipped endoscopes into patients to hunt visible abnormalities, such as tumors, in the gastrointestinal tract and internal organs.
Blocking Tissue Stiffening Enzyme Could Be Key To Preventing Aggressive Cancers
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:00 PST
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171750.php
A team of scientists from the US and the UK have shown that blocking an enzyme called lysyl oxidase (LOX) that causes tissue to stiffen reduces the likelihood of abnormal but non-malignant breast tissue turning into tumors, suggesting that LOX and similar enzymes could be new targets for effective anti-cancer drug therapies.