Introduction

What is cancer?

Cancer is a large group of diseases with one thing in common : They happen
when normal cells become cancerous cells that multiply and spread. Your genes
send instructions to your cells — like when to start and stop growing , for
example. Normal cells follow these instructions , but cancer cells ignore
themCancer is the second most common cause of death in the U.S. But fewer
people are dying of cancer now than 20 years ago. Early detection and
innovative treatments are curing cancer and helping people with cancer live
longer

Types of Cancer
There are over 100 types of cancer. Healthcare providers categorize them
according to where they start in your body and the type of tissue they affect .
There are three broad cancer classifications

1 - Carcinoma

It is the most common form of cancer that affects the epithelial cells which form
the lining of internal organs or the skin.

Lung cancer, skin cancer, pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer are some of its
common manifestations

2- Sarcoma

These cancer cells develop in the bones and soft tissues such as fat tissues,
cartilages , blood vessels, lymph and other supporting tissues of tendons and
ligaments .

The most common form of sarcoma in the bone is osteosarcoma , and in soft
tissues include Kaposi sarcoma, liposarcoma , malignant fibrous histiocytoma ,
leiomyosarcoma , and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans .

3- Leukaemia

Commonly known as blood cancer, leukaemia affects the tissues of the bone
marrow which is responsible for blood production . It is one of the fatal forms of
cancer.

Leukaemia is completely different from other types of cancer. It is caused by the

uncontrolled production of white blood cells (Lymphoid cells and myeloid cells).
These abnormal white blood cells damage the tissues of the bone marrow and
crowd the normal blood cells. These abnormal white blood cells continue to
patient fails to provide adequate red blood cells to supply oxygen, adequate
normal white blood cells to fight infections and adequate platelets for blood
coagulation .

4- Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects the lymphocytes in the lymph nodes,
which are a part of the immune system. There are two kinds of lymphoma :

Hodgkin lymphoma – originates in the B cells

Non- Hodgkin lymphoma , – originates in B or T cells.

5- Melanoma

It is a form of skin cancer that targets melanin – the pigment responsible for skin
colour. In this form of cancer, the melanocytes are affected resulting in the
abnormal formation of melanin . It may also affect other tissues that are
pigmented , such as the eyes

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of cancer?

Symptoms of cancer vary from person to person. They depend on what type of
cancer you have and how advanced it is.

- General cancer symptoms may include :

- Fatigue.

- Fever that occurs mostly at night .

- Loss of appetite .

- Night sweats.

- Persistent pain.

- Skin changes, particularly moles that change shape and size or new moles.

- Unexplained weight loss.

- In some cases, cancer may cause additional organ - specific symptoms . These
may include :

- Blood in your pee or in your stool .

- Changes in the shape, color or size of a skin mole.

- Coughing up blood .

- New lumps or bumps .

This isn’t an exhaustive list . And having these symptoms doesn’t necessarily
mean you have cancer.

Cancer is a complicated disease. Different types cause different symptoms . It’s

also possible to have cancer for years without knowing it . Other times , it can
cause obvious symptoms that get worse very quickly.

A good rule of thumb is to let a healthcare provider know any time there’s a
change in your body that lasts for more than two weeks.

What causes cancer?

Cancer is a genetic disorder. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s inherited . It
happens when genes that manage cell activity mutate (change ). They create
abnormal cells that divide and multiply , eventually disrupting how your body
works.

These cells create cancer clusters , or tumors . Cancerous cells may break away
from tumors and travel to other areas of your body through your lymphatic
system or bloodstream . (Healthcare providers call this metastasis .)

For example, a tumor in your breast may spread to your lungs, making it hard for
you to breathe . In some types of blood cancer, your bone marrow makes
abnormal blood cells that multiply uncontrollably . Eventually, the abnormal cells
crowd out normal blood cells.

According to medical researchers, inherited genetic mutations (changes you

can’t control ) cause about 5% to 10% of all cancers. More often , cancer occurs
as an acquired genetic mutation (change ). That means it happens over the
course of your life . Medical researchers have identified several risk factors that
increase your chance of developing cancer

**How is cancer diagnosed ? **

Healthcare providers begin a cancer diagnosis by doing a complete physical

examination . They’ll ask you to describe your symptoms and your family medical
history . They may also need to do:

Blood tests for cancer, which may include complete blood count (CBC), blood
protein tests and tumor marker tests.

Imaging tests like CT scans, MRI, ultrasound or iodine metaiodobenzylguanidine

Biopsies, which could be surgical (with an incision ) or nonsurgical (with a
needle).

Genetic testing for cancer to diagnose and plan treatment for inherited forms of

How is cancer treated ?

Healthcare providers may use several different treatments , sometimes

combining treatments based on your situation . Common cancer treatments
include :

Surgery : Can remove cancerous tumors that haven’t spread.

Chemotherapy : Destroys cancer cells with powerful drugs in pill form or

intravenously (through a needle into a vein).

Radiation therapy : Kills cancer cells with high dosages of radiation .

Immunotherapy : Engages your immune system to fight the disease.

Targeted therapy : Targets the genetic mutations (changes) that turn healthy
cells into cancer cells.

Hormone therapy : Blocks cancer- causing hormones . For example, people who
have prostate cancer might receive hormones to lower testosterone , which can
contribute to prostate cancer.

Bone marrow transplant : Replaces damaged blood stem cells with healthy ones

Conclusion

The conclusion for cancer involves a multi - faceted approach : early detection
through screening (like mammograms , colonoscopies ) significantly improves
outcomes by catching uncontrolled cell growth early, leading to higher survival
rates. While no single cure exists, advances in targeted therapies ,
immunotherapy , and established treatments like surgery, radiation , and
chemotherapy offer hope, with remission (symptom reduction ) achievable,
though management of chronic cases and supportive care (palliative care) for
symptom relief remain crucial . Ultimately , preventing cancer through lifestyle
changes (diet , exercise, avoiding tobacco / alcohol ) and widespread awareness is
key to fighting this complex disease.

Bibliography
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