Project on Cancer

AK Mallick
 Cancer
What Is Cancer?
Cancer can be generally described as an uncontrolled growth and spread of
abnormal cells in the body. Cells are basic units of life. All organisms are composed of
one or more cells. Normally, cells divide to produce more cells only when the body
needs them. Sometimes cells keep dividing and thus creating more cells even when
they are not needed. When this happens, a mass of tissue forms. This mass of extra
tissue is called a tumor.

Tumors can be benign or malignant.

Benign tumors are not cancer. They can often be removed and, in most cases,
they do not come back. Cells from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the
body. Most important, benign tumors are rarely a threat to life.

Examples of Benign Tumors

Papilloma A projecting mass on the skin (for example, a wart)
Adenoma A tumor that grows in and around the glands
Lipoma A tumor in fatty tissue
Osteoma A tumor originating in the bones
Myoma A tumor of muscle tissue
Angioma A tumor usually composed of small blood or lymph vessels
( for example, a birthmark)
Nevus A small skin tumor of one variety of tissues (for example, a mole).

Malignant tumors are cancer. Cells in these tumors are abnormal and divide
without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Also,
cancer cells can break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or the
lymphatic system. That is how cancer spreads from the original cancer site to form new
tumors in other organs. Cancer that has spread is called metastatic cancer.

Cancer types can be grouped into broader categories. The main categories of cancer
include:

Carcinoma - cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal
organs.
Sarcoma - cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or
other connective or supportive tissue.

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 Leukemia - cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow
and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the
blood.
Lymphoma and myeloma - cancers that begin in the cells of the immune
system.
Central nervous system cancers - cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain
and spinal cord.

The following are symptoms that may occur in specific types of cancers:

Bladder cancer: Blood in the urine, pain or burning upon urination; frequent
urination; or cloudy urine.
Bone cancer: Pain in the bone or swelling around the affected site; fractures in
bones; weakness, fatigue; weight loss; repeated infections; nausea, vomiting,
constipation, problems with urination; weakness or numbness in the legs; bumps
and bruises that persist .
Brain cancer: Dizziness; drowsiness; abnormal eye movements or changes in
vision; weakness, loss of feeling in arms or legs or difficulties in walking; fits or
convulsions; changes in personality, memory or speech; headaches that tend to
be worse in the morning and ease during the day, that may be accompanied by
nausea or vomiting.
Breast cancer: A lump or thickening of the breast; discharge from the nipple;
change in the skin of the breast; a feeling of heat; or enlarged lymph nodes under
the arm.
Colorectal cancer: Rectal bleeding (red blood in stools or black stools);
abdominal cramps; constipation alternating with diarrhea; weight loss; loss of
appetite; weakness; pallid complexion.
Kidney cancer: Blood in urine; dull ache or pain in the back or side; lump in
kidney area, sometimes accompanied by high blood pressure or abnormality in
red blood cell count .
Leukemia: Weakness, paleness; fever and flu-like symptoms; bruising and
prolonged bleeding; enlarged lymph nodes, spleen, liver; pain in bones and joints;
frequent infections; weight loss; night sweats.
Lung cancer: Wheezing, persistent cough for months; blood-streaked sputum;
persistent ache in chest; congestion in lungs; enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.

Melanoma: Change in mole or other bump on the skin, including bleeding or change in
size, shape, color, or texture. Vg

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Painless swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck,

underarm, or groin; persistent fever; feeling of fatigue; unexplained weight loss;

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 itchy skin and rashes; small lumps in skin; bone pain; swelling in the abdomen;
liver or spleen enlargement.
Oral cancer: A lump in the mouth, ulceration of the lip, tongue or inside of the
mouth that does not heal within a couple of weeks; dentures that no longer fit well;
oral pain, bleeding, foul breath, loose teeth, and changes in speech.
Ovarian cancer: Abdominal swelling; in rare cases, abnormal vaginal bleeding;
digestive discomfort.
Pancreatic cancer: Upper abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss; pain
near the center of the back; intolerance of fatty foods; yellowing of the skin;
abdominal masses; enlargement of liver and spleen.
Prostate cancer: Urination difficulties due to blockage of the urethra; bladder
retains urine, creating frequent feelings of urgency to urinate, especially at night;
bladder not emptying completely; burning or painful urination; bloody urine;
tenderness over the bladder; and dull ache in the pelvis or back.
Stomach cancer: Indigestion or heartburn; discomfort or pain in the abdomen;
nausea and vomiting; diarrhea or constipation; bloating after meals; loss of
appetite; weakness and fatigue; bleeding - vomiting blood or blood in the stool.

Prevention of Cancer:

Health Promotion Tips:

Reduce or avoid exposure to known or suspected carcinogens or cancer-
promoting agents, including cigarettes and sun exposure.
Eat a balanced diet that includes vegetables, fresh fruit, whole grains, and
adequate amounts of fiber.
Reduce the amount of fat and preservatives in the diet, including smoked and
salt-cured meats.
Participate in regular exercise.
Obtain adequate, consistent periods of rest (at least 6 to 8 hours per night).
Eliminate or reduce stress and enhance the ability to effectively cope with stress.
Go to annual health check-ups.
Enjoy consistent periods of relaxation and leisure.
Learn to practice self-examination (breast and testicular).

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 Seek immediate medical care if cancer is suspected.

Cancer treatments:
The type of treatment you need will depend on the type of cancer you have and
the stage of your cancer. The goal of the treatment may be to remove or shrink
the tumor, kill cancer cells that may have spread, reduce the chance that the
cancer will come back or to help you deal with the symptoms caused by certain
cancers.

There are several different types of cancer treatments.

They include:
• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Biotherapy (Immunotherapy and Biological Therapy)
• Combination treatments
• Bone marrow/stem cell transplants
Methods of Treatment for Cancer
Surgery:
Surgery can be used to prevent, treat, stage (determine how advanced the
cancer is), and diagnose cancer. In relation to cancer treatment, surgery is done
to remove tumors or as much of the cancerous tissue as possible. It is often
performed in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
For those whose cancer is not treatable, palliative surgery may be an option to
relieve pain that may be caused by the cancer. Palliative surgery is not intended
to treat or cure the cancer, or even to prolong life, but more to lessen discomfort.

Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses of drugs to eliminate
cancer cells. Unlike surgery, chemotherapy affects the entire body, not just a
specific part. It works by targeting rapidly multiplying cancer cells. Unfortunately,
other types of cells in our bodies also multiply at high rates, like hair follicle cells
and the cells that line our stomachs. This is why chemo can cause side effects
like hair loss and an upset stomach.

Chemotherapy is most commonly given by pill or intravenously (IV), but can

be given in other ways. A single type of chemotherapy, or a combination of

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 drugs, may be prescribed for a specific length of time. Like surgery,
chemotherapy can be prescribed alone, in conjunction with radiation therapy or
biologic therapy.

Radiation Therapy:
Radiation therapy uses certain types of energy to shrink tumors or eliminate
cancer cells. It works by damaging a cancer cell's DNA, making it unable to
multiply. Cancer cells are highly sensitive to radiation and typically die when
treated. Nearby healthy cells can be damaged as well, but are resilient and are
able to fully recover.

Radiation therapy may be given alone, along with chemotherapy, and/or with
surgery. The decision to combine radiation therapy with other types of treatment
depends on the stage of cancer and other factors.

Biologic or Targeted Therapy:

Biologic therapy is a term for drugs that target characteristics of cancerous

tumors. Some types of targeted therapies work by blocking the biological
processes of tumors that allow tumors to thrive and grow. Other types of
therapies cut off the blood supply to the tumor, causing it to basically starve and
die because of a lack of blood.
Targeted therapy is used in select types of cancer and is not available for
everyone. It is given in conjunction with other cancer treatments.

Combination Therapy

Chemotherapy drugs are most effective when given in combination (combination

chemotherapy). The rationale for combination chemotherapy is to use drugs that
work by different mechanisms of action, thereby decreasing the likelihood that
resistant cancer cells will develop. When drugs with different effects are
combined, each drug can be used at its optimal dose, without intolerable side
effects.
Sometimes combination chemotherapy is used not to cure but to reduce
symptoms and prolong life. Combination chemotherapy can be useful for people
with advanced cancers that are not suitable for radiation therapy or surgical
treatment (for example, those with unrespectable non–small cell lung cancer,
esophageal cancer, or bladder cancer).
Bone marrow/stem cell transplants

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 A bone marrow transplant is when special cells (called stem cells) that are
normally found in the bone marrow are taken out, filtered, and given back either
to the same person or to another person.

Role of International Agencies

The World Health Organization (WHO) has promoted National Cancer Control
Programmes and India is one of the few countries that has actively taken up this
initiative. The major areas in which WHO contributes are Tobacco Control,
Palliative Care and Human Resource Development. India could take up these
programmes and demonstrate to the World that Cancer Control is feasible and
become a model for Cancer Control Programmes in low resource settings. The
International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and other agencies are supporting
fellowships and India can utilize these opportunities to get the much needed
human resource for the country. The results achieved in India should be widely
propagated through the International Agencies, to help other countries and to get
support from various agencies.
World Cancer Day
Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world. WHO estimates that 84
million people will die of cancer between 2005 and 2015 without intervention.
Each year on 4 February, WHO supports International Union against Cancer to
promote ways to ease the global burden of cancer. Preventing cancer and raising
quality of life for cancer patients are recurring themes.

World Cancer Day 2010

WHO is supporting the International Union Against Cancer's World Cancer Day
on 4 February 2010 to promote ways to ease the global burden of cancer.
Preventing cancer and raising quality of life for cancer patients are recurring
themes.
The theme of this year's World Cancer Day is

'Cancer can be prevented too'.

AK Mallick
AK Mallick
AK Mallick