Introduction | Incidence | Etiology or Causes | Risk Factor | Pathophysiology | Difference Between Benign and Malignant | Classification of Cancer | General Effects | Tumor Markers | General Symptoms | Psychological Changes | Warning sign of Cancer | Prevention of Cancer | Investigation |
Cancer: Everything you want to know!
Cancer Introduction:-
why cancer is called cancer?
Cancer is a disease of cell in which normal mechanisms of control of growth and proliferation are disturbed. Cancer is a group of cells that grows out of control, taking over the function of affected organs or it is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cellular growth with local tissue invasion at systemic metastasis.
It is a disease process that begins when abnormal cells are transformed by a genetic mutation of cellular DNA.
Incidence Of Occurrence:-
Cancer affects millions of people around the world. It affects a large group but higher in very young and old age. The incidence rate is greater in men than in women.
Some of the percentages are:-
how many cancer are there?
In Male:-
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Prostate cancer (32%)
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Lung cancer (16%)
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Oral cancer(15%)
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Colorectal cancer(12%)
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Urinary Tract including Urinary Bladder(9%)
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Leukemia Cancer(7%)
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Skin and Renal cancer(4%)
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Pancreatic cancer(2%)
In Female:-
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Cervical Cancer(26%)
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Breast cancer(21%)
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Colorectal cancer(13%)
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Oral cancer(11%)
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Uterine cancer(8%)
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Leukemia (6%)
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Skin cancer(4%)
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Ovarian, Kidney’s, Thyroid Cancer(3%)
Cancer Etiology or Cancer Causes:-
(a). Virus and Bacteria:-
Viruses and bacteria are thought to be in co-operative themselves in the genetic structure of the cells. Thus altering the future generation of that cell population leading to cancer.
For example- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSP) causes Nasopharyngeal cancer. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Papillomavirus can cause Cervical and vaginal cancer.
(b). Radiation:-
(c). Chemical Agents:-
(d). Genetic Factor:-
(e). Diet:-
(f). Hormonal Factor:-
(g). Immune Factor:-
Cancer Risk Factor:-
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Age:- Increased incidence is seen in very young and older persons. Example: Acute leukemia in children, Prostate cancer seen in older persons.
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Gender:- Women have a risk for developing certain types of cancer and men also have a risk for developing certain types of cancer. Example: In older males Testicular, Prostate cancer is common. In women breast cancer, cervical cancer is common.
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Environmental / Geographical area/ location:- The environmental factor such as climate excessive hot, cold, air, water, soil, pollution, humidity, etc. The environmental factor also plays an important role in developing cancer. The people living in urban areas are more prone to cancer than the rural areas.
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LifeStyle / Habits:- Lifestyle/habit include lack of physical activity or exercise, poor personal hygiene, improper sleeping or rest, smoking use of tobacco or betel nuts, use of drugs, and excessive conception of alcohol, or beverage.
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Stress:- Hypothalamus regulates hormones or the immune system increased stress causes hormonal or immunological changes that affect the growth and proliferation of the cell.
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Other factors:– It includes occupation, exposure to radio-isotopes.
Cancer Pathophysiology [Carcinogenesis, Oncogenesis]:-
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Initiation
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Promotion
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Malignant conversion
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Progression
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Initiation or Cancer 1st stage:- Initiation occurs when carcinogens damage DNA. Carcinogens cause a change in the structure and function of the cells at the genetic or molecular level. This damage may be reversible or maybe lead to a genetic mutation that is not repaired. However, the mutation may not lead immediately to cancer.
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Promotion or Cancer 2nd stage:– Promotion occurs with additional assault ( sudden attack or destroy)to the self resulting in further genetic damage.
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Malignant Conversion or Cancer 3rd stage:- At some point, these genetic events result in management conversion.
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Progression or Cancer 4th stage:- With progression cells are increasing malignant in appearance and invasive development with active cancer with metastasis to distant body parts or area.
Difference between Benign Tumour and Malignant Tumour:-

Classification of Cancer:-
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Anatomical Classification
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Histological Classification [ Grade ]
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The extent of Disease [ Stage, Metastasis ]
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T.N.M. Classification [ Tumour Nodes Metastasis ]
1. Anatomical Classification:-

2. Histological Classification [ Grading ]:-
3. The extent of Disease [ staging, metastasis]:-
4. T.N.M. classification:-
Cancer General Effects:-
Tumor in the bowel:-
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Bowel obstruction
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Constipation
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diarrhea
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G.I. Disturbance
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Bleeding
Tumor in Prostate:-
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Urinary problems
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Urinary Bladder distension
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Incontinence
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Urinary retention
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Sexual disfunction
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Decreased libido
Tumor in the Liver:-
Fat, lipid, carbohydrate, protein metabolism will be disturbed.
Tumor in the Lungs:-
Tumor in Mouth:-
Hematological Effects:-
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Hematocrit decreases
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WBC count (increase or decrease)
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Hemoglobin Decreases.
Tumor Markers:-
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Cancer Antigen 125:- Increases in ovarian and pancreatic cancer.
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Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA):- Increased in prostate cancer.
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Prostate Acid Phosphate:- Increased in metastatic prostate cancer.
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Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA):- Increase in colorectal, breast, lungs, pancreatic, stomach, etc.
Cancer General symptoms:-
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Anorexia
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Weight loss
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Anemia
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Extreme fatigue
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Pain
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Headache
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Nausea, Vomiting.
Cancer Psychological changes/Responses:-
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Malaise
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Grief
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Hopelessness
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Guilt
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ANger
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Anxiety
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Fear of Death
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Body image disturbance
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Lack of confidence
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Disfunction in sexual desire
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Isolation or withdrawal.
can cancer be prevented?
Prevention of Cancer:-
What are cancer 7 warning signs?
cancer 7 warning signs:-
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Primary Prevention
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Early Detection
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Screening
Primary Prevention:-
Early Detection:-
Screening:-
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The population to be screen as a high incidence of disease.
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The disease is detectable in its pre-symptomatic stages.
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Prognosis is poor if diagnosis delayed and manifestation is appearing and effective treatment is available for a disease that is diagnosed early.
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The potential benefits of screening outweigh its potential risk and cost.
Approaches to Prevent Cancer:-
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Educate the community or family about cancer and to avoid carcinogenesis.
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Increase fiber-rich diet intake to decrease the risk of gastric and colorectal cancer.
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Decrease intake of fats to decrease the risk of prostate and breast cancer.
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Stop cigarette smoking (active and passive).
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Avoid tobacco and betel nut.
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Avoid overexposure to sunlight and radiation.
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Advice to participate in regular exercise programs and self-examination.
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Take adequate rest and sleep (6-8 hours/day) eliminate and reduce physical and mental stress.
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Tell the people or community about the warning sign of cancer.
Investigation:-
The investigation is generally divided into two categories:-
- Cytological Study
- Radiological Study
1. Cytological Studies:-
Cytology is the study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and chemistry of the cells. One of the most common cytological studies are:-
Staining technique developed by George M. Papanicolaou [ PAP test ], which is used to detect malignant cells. This test is used to study of vaginal and cervical cells, sometimes it may be used for other tissues obtained easily by smearing or scraping such as oral, bronchial, genital tract and tissues not available for scraping must be obtained by biopsy, which the removal of tissues for diagnostic studies.
Many times a fixative or refrigeration is used to prevent tissues decomposition by section method [ Frozen or Freezing technique ].
Biopsy:-
It is the surgical removal of tissues or cells. It helps in accurate identification of nature or type of cancer cells [ Benign or Malignant ]. The biopsy procedure is divided either open or closed.
1. Open Biopsy:-
A surgical incision is needed for open biopsy. There are two types of open biopsy.
- Incisional Open Biopsy:- In this type of biopsy, a selected part or portion of lesion or tumor is removed. This type of biopsy is commonly completed during endoscopic examination.
- Excisional Open Biopsy:- In this type of biopsy, the entire lesion or tumor and a margin of surrounding normal tissues are removed. This is the procedure of choice in most cases [ to prevent infiltration ]. There are procedures usually performed in an i=operative room or minor OT with the use of local anesthesia or IV sedation. After the procedure, the incision is closed with the sutures, and dressing is placed over the site.
2. Closed Biopsy:-
In a closed biopsy, no open surgical incision is used. The closed biopsy includes:-
- Needle Aspiration Biopsy:- A needle aspiration biopsy is inserted into the tissues or tumor, the aspirated cells or tissues are then examined under the microscope. This technique is common for the biopsy of the breast or prostate masses or tumors.
- Core Needle Aspiration Biopsy:- A special needle cuts specimen from tissues or tumors which not in view. This technique is common for biopsy of kidneys, liver, prostate, etc.
- Stereotactic Biopsy or Imaging Biopsy:- A 3D view of abnormal tissues is created on the basis of imaging research, then the needle is inserted into the mass or tumor. The client must be motionless for about 20-30 minutes while the procedure. This technique is used for biopsy of certain lungs tumor or lesions.
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