Symptoms, Classification and Treatment of Cancer
Anti Cancer is a deadly disease caused by the uncontrollable or
abnormal growth of cells anywhere in the body.
These abnormal cells are called cancer cells or malignant cells which in
turn affect normal body tissues. So far, medical science has detected more than
200 different types and forms of cancer. Primary factors that may induce a cell
to grow and divide at a rate not deemed normal could be gene mutation, exposure
to toxins, pathogens, and radiation. These unusual cells are named cancer cells
malignant cells or tumor cells
Anti Cancer symptoms
Anti Cancer symptoms and signs generally depend upon the type and
stage of cancer. General symptoms common to cancer are:
- Fatigue
- Sudden weight loss. In some instances, it could be sudden weight gain as well.
- Change in bowel or bladder function
- Change in size, color, shape, or thickness of a wart or mole
- Persistent bleeding and bruising without any known cause
- Persistent cough, voice change and difficulty breathing
- Lumps under the skin which can be felt from outside
- Changes in tone and texture of the skin.
- Sores that won’t heal for a long time despite treatment could also be an indicator of cancer.
- Although there are quite a few tests or screening procedure to diagnose cancer, the most definitive diagnosis comes from a biopsy of the suspected cancer tissue.
Different types of cancers
- Carcinoma: cancer that starts in the skin or in tissues that line or spread interior organs such as lung, colon, skin, pancreas, ovary, etc.
- Sarcoma: Cancer that traces its origin to the bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, etc.
- Leukemia: Cancer that begins in the bone marrow and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to enter the blood.
- Central nervous system cancers: Cancers that begin in the brain and spinal cord
What specialists treat cancer?
Doctors gaining practical experience in the treatment of
cancer are known as oncologists. Doctors may be surgeon, a radiation therapy
expert or a medical oncologist. A surgeon as the name suggests teats cancer
through surgery. A radiation therapy expert treats cancer by radiation whereas a
medical oncologist administers chemotherapy.
Sometimes a patient may require a combination of surgery and radiation
or surgery and chemotherapy. As such different experts may have to collaborate
with each other to treat cancer
In addition, the service of other specialists may be
required based upon the location of cancer. For example, an immunologist may be called for cancers affecting the immune system. More often than not your
primary care physician and main oncologist together decide the line of
treatment best suited for you.
Cancer treatment
Line of treatment depends upon the type and stage of cancer
along with the body part, it has affected. Cancer is usually treated through
radiation, surgery or chemotherapy or the combination of these treatment methods.
Palliative therapy is administered to patients who are
terminally ill i.e. their cancer is never again treatable. Palliative therapy
is generally reserved for patients for incurable cases and its primary
objective is to ease the pain and symptoms of the disease. Palliative therapy may include medications or
treatment through alternate options such as ant nausea medications.
