Cancer

1. What is cancer?
Cancers are a group of diseases associated with abnormal growth of cells. Without
any check, the disease may keep on progressing ultimately leading to pre-mature
death. They can arise anywhere in the body and can affect people from all age
groups, socio-economic strata and race. Cancer is the leading cause of morbidity
and mortality in the world.
Cancer refers to unregulated and unrestricted proliferation of cells. Clinically it is
seen in the form of a growth. Neoplasm is an abnormal mass of tissue growing in
an uncoordinated way and persisting even when the stimuli responsible for growth
has been removed.

2. What are the common cancers of human body?
Worldwide, the commonest cancers amongst men are lung,
prostate, colo-rectum, stomach, and liver cancer.Among women
the most common sites diagnosed are breast, colo-rectum, lung,
cervix, and stomach cancer.
amongst males common cancers in decreasing frequency are
oral, lung, stomach and colo-rectal cancers.
In females, breast, cervix, colo-rectal, ovary and oral cancers are
the commonest cancers in decreasing frequency.

3. Benign
Refers to a tumor that is not cancerous. The tumor does not usually invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
Biopsy
The removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. Other tests can suggest that cancer is present, but only
a biopsy can make a definite diagnosis. Learn more about biopsy.
In situ
In place. Refers to cancer that has not spread to nearby tissue, also called non-invasive cancer.
Invasive cancer
Cancer that has spread outside the layer of tissue in which it started and has the potential to grow into other tissues or parts of the
body, also called infiltrating cancer.
Metastasis
The spread of cancer from the place where the cancer began to another part of the body. Cancer cells can break away from the
primary tumor and travel through the blood or the lymphatic system to the lymph nodes, brain, lungs, bones, liver, or other organs.
Polyp
A growth of normal tissue that usually sticks out from the lining of an organ, such as the colon.
Precancerous
Refers to cells that have the potential to become cancerous. Also called pre-malignant.
Predisposition
A tendency to develop a disease that can be triggered under certain conditions. For example, although a genetic predisposition to
cancer increases a person's risk of developing cancer, it is not certain that the person will develop it. Learn more about genetics.

4. Primary cancer
Describes the original cancer.
Recurrence
Cancer that has returned after a period during which the cancer could not be detected. “Local recurrence” means that the
cancer has come back to the same general area where the original cancer was located. “Regional recurrence” refers to cancer
that has come back in the lymph nodes or other tissues near the original cancer site, usually by direct spread. “Distant
recurrence” refers to cancer that has come back and has spread to other parts of the body, usually by traveling through the
lymph system or bloodstream. Learn more about dealing with cancer recurrence.
Remission
The disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer but not necessarily the entire disease. The disappearance can be
temporary or permanent.
Screening
The process of checking whether a person has a disease or has an increased chance of developing a disease when the person
has no symptoms.
Secondary cancer
Describes either a new primary cancer (a different type of cancer) that develops after treatment for the first type of cancer, or
cancer that has spread to other parts of the body from the place where it started (see metastasis, above).
Tumor
A mass formed when normal cells begin to change and grow uncontrollably. A tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or
malignant (cancerous, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body). Also called a nodule or mass.

5. Modifiable
Cigarette smoking
Secondhand smoke
Excess body weight
Drinking alcohol
Eating red and processed meat
Diet low in fruits and vegetables, dietary fiber, and dietary calcium
Physical inactivity
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or indoor tanning
Non-modifiable
age
sex
race and ethnicity
family history
genetics (e.g., changes in DNA).

6. Clinical Symptoms
• New lumps or growths or swelling;
• A sore or bruise that does not heal;
• A mole that changes in shape, size or colour or bleeds;
• Persistent cough or hoarseness that last;
• Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing;
• A change in bowel or bladder habits;
• Shortness of breath;
• Loss of appetite;
• Unexplained weight loss or tiredness;
• Blood in urine, bowel motions or sputum.

7. Treatment Approaches
Chemotherapy
Hormone Therapy
Immunotherapy
Radiation Therapy
Stem Cell Transplant
Surgery