What is Cancer?

Cancer is a group of diseases marked by uncontrollable cell growth in the body. Over 100 different types of cancer are currently known to medical science with each classified according to the type of cell it affects. 

Cancer is harmful to the body particularly when the altered cells grow or divide in an uncontrollable manner to take the shape of lumps or masses of tissues known as tumors.   

Tumors can cause grave harm to the body and its different systems by causing alterations to the body’s function. Among the two types, the one that shows limited growth and restrictions in one spot is known as a benign tumor.  

However, the other type is a more dangerous or malignant tumor, which moves throughout the body and also manages to divide and grow. This leads to a serious condition extremely difficult to treat.

What are the types of Cancer?

The type of cancer is generally dependent on the body part and cell type from it first developed. In general, there are five different categories under which cancer is divided, including:- 

Carcinoma: – This category includes those cancer types that start in the skin or first develop in tissues lining or covering internal organs.

Sarcoma: – This category includes those cancer types that start in bone, cartilage, blood vessels, fat, muscle, or other connective or supportive tissue.

Leukemia: – This category includes cancer types that first develop in blood-forming tissue (as bone marrow) and start the formation of abnormal blood cells and their entry into the blood.  

Lymphoma and myeloma: – This category includes cancer types that start in the cells of the immune system.

Central nervous system cancers: – This category includes cancer types that start in the brain and spinal cord tissues.

Signs and Symptoms of cancer?

In the early stages, there may not be any visible signs or symptoms of cancer. However, one should not ignore when:-

• There are any changes in bowel or bladder habits
• A sore that is not healing
• Any bleeding or discharge that appears unusual
• Any lumps or thickened areas either in the breast, testicles, or elsewhere
• Persistent indigestion or difficulty swallowing
• Any changes whatsoever to the mole, wart, or mouth sore
• A persistent cough or hoarseness  

Treatment of Cancer

Treatment of cancer is of many types and depends on the type and stage the patient has reached. The main types of cancer treatment are:-

Surgery

A type where the surgeon removes cancer from the body

Radiation Therapy

A type where high doses of radiation are used to destroy cancerous cells or shrink tumors

Chemotherapy

A type where drugs are used to kill the cancer cells

Immunotherapy 

A type where the immune system is helped and boosted to fight cancer

Targeted Therapy

A type where cancer cells with changes are targeted

Hormone Therapy

A type where the cancer growth is slowed or stopped in cases where hormones have caused the spread of the diseases

Stem Cell Transplant

A type where the restoration of already destroyed blood-forming stem cells takes place