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Cancer
Medical Questions » Cancer
| Name: Cancer |
| Also known as: Carcinoma; Malignancy; Neoplasm; Sarcoma |
| Cancer occurs when otherwise normal cells start rapidly multiplying into cells that are abnormal in shape, size and function. The abnormal cancer cells affect the cells around them, prevent them from functioning normally, and this enables the cancer to spread further. |
Causes of Cancer
The specific cause of cancer is unknown, but sun exposure, a low-fibre diet and smoking are well-known precipitating factors. It is not just one disease process, dozens of different types of cancer occur in various parts of the body, and each type causes different problems and responds differently to treatment. There are two main groups of cancer: sarcomas start in connective tissue (bone, cartilage, muscle and fibre) while carcinomas are originate in the epithelial cells (tissue comprising the external and internal linings of the body). |
Symptoms of Cancer
The early symptoms of cancer are a lump or thickening anywhere in the body, sores that will not heal, unusual bleeding or discharge, change in bowel or bladder habits, persistent cough or hoarseness, change in a wart or mole, indigestion or difficulty in swallowing, and loss of weight for no apparent reason. |
Tests for Cancer
Depends upon the organ involved and may include blood tests, urine tests, sputum tests, faeces tests, X-rays, endoscopy, radioactive scans, ultrasound scans, microscopic examinations, magnetic resonance imaging and biopsies. |
Treatment for Cancer
May involve surgery to remove the growth, drugs that are attracted to and destroy abnormal cells, irradiation of the tumour with high-powered X-rays, or combinations of these three methods.
Also get more information on cancer treatment here.
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Complications of Cancer of its treatment
Spread of the cancer to other areas of the body (metastatic cancer). |
Likely Outcome of Cancer
Over half of all cancers can be cured, and that excludes the skin cancers that rarely cause death. The cure rate is far higher in those who present early to a doctor, because the less the cancer has spread, the easier it is to treat. |
See related questions here.
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