What is Cancer?
Cancer-Abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body.
-100 types of cancers
All tumor cells show the six hallmarks of cancer. These characteristics are required to produce a malignant tumor.
- Cell growth and division absent the proper signals
- Continuous growth and division even gave contrary signals
- Avoidance of programmed cell death
- The limitless number of cell divisions
- Promoting blood vessel construction
- Invasion of tissue and formation of metastases
What are Signs and symptoms
When cancer begins, it produces no symptoms. Signs and symptoms appear as the mass grows or ulcerates. The findings that result depend on cancer's type and location. Few symptoms are specific. Many frequently occur in individuals who have other conditions. Cancer is a "great imitator". Thus, it is common for people diagnosed with cancer to have been treated for other diseases, which were hypothesized to be causing their symptoms.
What are Local symptoms cancer-
Local symptoms may occur due to the mass of the tumor or its ulceration. For example, mass effects from lung cancer can block the bronchus resulting in a cough or pneumonia; esophageal cancer can cause narrowing of the esophagus, making it difficult or painful to swallow; and colorectal cancer may lead to narrowing or blockages in the bowel, affecting bowel habits.
What are Systemic symptoms cancer-
General symptoms occur due to effects that are not related to direct or metastatic spread. These may include unintentional weight loss, fever, excessive fatigue and changes in the skin. Hodgkin disease, leukemias and cancers of the liver or kidney can cause a persistent fever.
What is Metastasis-
Cancer can spread from its original site by local spread, lymphatic spread to regional lymph nodes or by hematogenous spread via the blood to distant sites, known as metastasis.
