Cancer, a term that strikes fear into many hearts, is a disease that is as complex as it is common. Defined by uncontrolled cell division and growth that has the potential to spread to other parts of the body, cancer affects one in three people in the United States.
What is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease caused by mutations to genes. These genetic changes can be the result of damage to DNA from environmental factors, inherited from parents, or errors that occur during cell division. Typically, cells with mutations are eliminated before they can become cancerous, but this process becomes less efficient with age, which is why cancer is more prevalent in the older population.
Types of Cancer
There are many different types of cancer, but they can be broadly classified into two main categories:
Liquid/Hematologic (blood) cancers:
This type includes cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma which affect the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system.
Solid tumor cancers:
These are cancers that form in solid tissues of the body, such as the breast, lung, or prostate.
Stages and Grades of Cancer
The severity and progression of cancer are often described by its stage and grade.
Stage:
Cancer stage is described by the size of the tumor and how far it has spread from its origin site. The stages range from Stage 0, indicating that the cancer is still localized, to Stage IV, indicating that the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.
Grade:
Cancer grade describes the physical appearance of the cancerous cells under a microscope. It's a way to determine how aggressive the cancer might be and how likely it is to spread.
Diagnosing Cancer
Cancer is diagnosed through a variety of methods:
Blood testing:
This can reveal the presence of certain substances that may indicate cancer.
Immunophenotyping:
This helps identify the type of cancer cells present.
Tumor marker tests:
These tests look for specific proteins produced by cancer cells.
Urinalysis:
This can detect the presence of abnormal cells or substances in the urine.
And other methods like imaging tests and biopsies.
Metastatic Cancer
Metastatic cancer happens when cancerous cells break away from the original site and spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This process of spreading is known as metastasis, and the new cancer growth is called a metastatic tumor or metastasis.
Summary
In summary, cancer is a disease defined by uncontrolled cell division and growth, impacting a tremendous amount of people in the United States. There are two main ways to describe cancer: its stage and grade. The body typically eliminates mutated cells, but the process becomes less effective with age, leading to a higher prevalence of cancer in the older population. There are two main categories of cancer: hematologic and solid tumor.
Understanding cancer, its causes, types, and how it is diagnosed can help in early detection and treatment, ultimately improving the chances of survival and the quality of life for those affected.
References:
What is Cancer? - National Cancer Institute
What do cancer stages and grades mean? - NHS UK
Diagnosis - National Cancer Institute
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