What is Cancer?
The human body is made up of millions of cells, which are arranged and organised in a unique way in different parts of the body: a process that involves a division and constant replacement of those cells that are lost.

Cancer is a group of conditions where the body's cells begin to grow and reproduce in an uncontrollable way. These cells can then invade and destroy healthy tissue, including organs.

In the case of cancer, this process becomes disrupted with the cells growing at an abnormal rate. Without treatment, these will eventually manifest as a malignant tumour that invades and destroys tissue, and spreads through the blood stream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. This spread of cancer to other parts of the body is a process known as metastasis.

Cancer is classified by the origin and form it takes in the body. If originating in cells or in the surface membranes of the body, then it called carcinoma. If originating deep in the body such as in the bones or cartilages, then it is referred to as sarcoma.

How to Spot Signs of Cancer and Causes?
It is difficult to speak about the causes of cancer with any degree of certainty, except to say that it is more common in older people. Cancers such as those of the lungs can be directly linked to definite causes such as Smoking, but not only smokers get lung cancer.

Carcinomas are more common than sarcomas. The most likely explanation for this is that the cells nearest the surface of the skin, are more exposed than those beneath the skin, and are therefore more affected by the environment and pollution.

What is the Possible Treatment for Cancer?
Treatment of cancer is improving and not all are fatal. The key to successful treatment of cancer is early diagnosis and destruction/removal of the cancerous cells. Where the cancer is found in the body and the stage of its development, will determine the method of treatment. Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy are all available treatments for all types of cancer.

Surgery involves the surgical removal of the cancerous tumour, while radiotherapy is an attempt to destroy the cancer cells with irradiation. Chemotherapy also attempts to kill the cancerous cells by the use of drug treatment. However, the healthy cells can also be affected so chemotherapy is usually given in stages to allow the normal cells to recover.

Hormone therapy is used to tell the cells in the area affected to stop dividing and growing, and is a treatment that is commonly used when the cancer is found in the breast, prostate or uterus.


Dr. A. Bose © Allcures.com February, 2012