Transcript Cancer
Cancer – A general term for more than 250 diseases characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells. Cancer cells grow and divide without control or order, and they do not die when they should. As a result, they often form a mass of tissue called a tumor. Tumor – Mass of built-up tissue, when cell development is not orderly and controlled, abnormal growth occurs Benign tumor- non-cancerous growth that does not spread to other parts of the body- it can be treated with removal and not likely to recur Malignant tumor- a growth of cancer cells-invades neighboring tissues and organs spreads to other parts of the body through blood or lymph to start new cancers in other parts of the body As the tumor grows, it can invade nearby tissues and organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis Cancer cells break away from the tumor and enter the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. By moving through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, cancer cells can spread from the primary site to lymph nodes or to other organs, where they may form new tumors. Warning Signs of Cancer CAUTION Change in bowel or bladder habits A sore that doesn’t heal Unusual bleeding or discharge Thickening or a lump anywhere in the body Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing Obvious change in a wart or mole Nagging cough or hoarseness Identify Cancer Stages Exams and tests are performed to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. It is important to know the stage of the disease in order to plan the best treatment. Common Elements Considered in the staging system: Site of the primary tumor. Tumor size and number of tumors. Lymph node involvement (spread of cancer into lymph nodes). Cell type and tumor grade (how closely the cancer resembles normal tissue cells) The presence or absence of metastasis. Stages Stage 0 Carcinoma in situ. Stage I, Stage II, and Stage III Higher numbers indicate more extensive disease: Larger tumor size and/or spread of the cancer beyond the organ in which it first developed to nearby lymph nodes and/or organs adjacent to the location of the primary tumor. Stage IV The cancer has spread to another organ(s). GENERAL CANCER TERMS Carcinomas – Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs Sarcomas –A cancer of the bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Melanoma Malignant tumor of melanocytes which produce the coloring substance of the skin Symptoms-Darkening or change in color, or increase in size of a mole, may begin as a new mole like growth usually blackish or brown Leukemia A disorder in blood cell production in which abnormal white blood cells accumulate in the blood and bone marrow Symptoms- the lymph nodes, spleen and liver become in-filtered with white blood cells and become enlarged. Bone pain, paleness, tendency to bleed or bruise easy, fatigue, and frequent infections Breast Cancer Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts and lobules. It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare. Symptoms: A lump or thickening in or near the breast; a change in the size or shape of the breast; a nipple turned inward into the breast; discharge from the nipple; scaly, red, or swollen skin on the breast. Prostate Cancer Cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate. Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men. A person with prostate cancer may not have any symptoms. If they do have symptoms the common symptoms include: urinary problems; blood in the urine or semen; frequent pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs. Bone cancer (sarcomas)- tumor can appears in bone around knee and joints Four leading cancer killers Male 1. Lung 2. Prostate 3. Colon 4. Pancreas Females 1. Lung 2. Breast 3. Colon 4. Ovarian Three main treatments for cancer 1) Surgery 2) Radiation therapy 3) Chemotherapy Radiation attacking cancer cells with rays from cobalt, radium or other radioactive substances usually done in a series Chemotherapy – very powerful drugs that kill cells in the system and causes patients to feel sick