The word cancer tends to strike fear into many people as it is associated with a severe illness that in the past many did not survive. Today treatment has improved dramatically, particularly with some forms of cancer. With continued research further improvements will be made.
The disease first manifests itself in our cells and our bodies are made up of millions of cells. Collectively they form our bones, muscles and organs.
The disease first manifests itself in our cells and our bodies are made up of millions of cells. Collectively they form our bones, muscles and organs.
A gene controls a cell and informs it as to what to do. This will include growing and reproducing and usually the cells follow the order. Sometimes instructions become confused and cells start growing and multiplying where they shouldn’t. These groups of cells can form into tumors or lumps and may spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system (this is known as known as metastases).
The lumps or tumors fall into two categories; benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The difference being that benign tumor cells remain in one place and are not usually a concern.
Malignant tumor cells invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body.
A swollen lymph node often provides the first sign that a malignant tumour has spread (metastasized). Quite often this occurs when a cancerous tumor is close by but cancer may metastasize to practically any part of the body and hence it is important that these type of tumors are found quickly.
Malignant tumor cells invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body.
A swollen lymph node often provides the first sign that a malignant tumour has spread (metastasized). Quite often this occurs when a cancerous tumor is close by but cancer may metastasize to practically any part of the body and hence it is important that these type of tumors are found quickly.
The name of a particular cancer is basically defined by the part of the body where they grow. As an example a growth in the lung that spreads to the bladder is known as lung cancer with bladder metastases.
In lung cancer the cells of the lung are first involved.
The two main types of lung cancer are:
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This is the most common type of lung cancer. It growth is slower than small cell lung cancer. Approximately 80% of lung cancers diagnosed are this type.
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC). This type invades quickly and will spread to other parts of the body.
NSCLC are groups of different cells and there are three types
Squamous cell carcinoma, this is often found in the central part of the lung.
Adenocarcinoma,this generally occurs in the outer part of the lung.
Large cell carcinoma, this can occur almost anywhere in the lung.
Although people with adenocarcinoma have a more favorable outlook, any non-small cell cancers can increase in size quickly and the prognosis can therefore be poor.
Although people with adenocarcinoma have a more favorable outlook, any non-small cell cancers can increase in size quickly and the prognosis can therefore be poor.
Treatment differs for each type of cancer as they do behave very differently. The treatment will depend on the staging of the disease.
Advanced stages of NSCLC may be treated by removal of the affected lung tissue to remove all or part of the tumour. While it may be possible to completely remove the tumor, this may not always be possible.
Chemotherapy and radiation treatment is common and administered after an operation or where the tumor is small enough for surgery not to be necessary. The patients general state of health also plays a part as treatments can be debilitating.
Chemotherapy and radiation are the only real options for those with SCLC and the results generally don’t provide remission but they are successful at extending the patient’s life.
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