Speciality - Oncology
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Cancer is when cells in the body malfunction and start growing uncontrollably, forming abnormal cells that can infiltrate surrounding tissues and organs. These abnormal or cancer cells can evade the body's immune system and form malignant tumors. Its potential to metastasize, spreading to distant body parts, further complicates treatment. Understanding cancer's underlying mechanisms is crucial for developing effective therapies and prevention strategies.
Cancers are generally categorized based on the type of cell that the tumor cells originate from.
1. Carcinomas: These cancers start in the skin or tissues that line internal organs. Examples include breast, lung, colon, and prostate cancers.
2. Sarcomas: Originate in connective tissues such as bones, muscles, and cartilage. Examples are Osteosarcoma of bones, Rhabdomyosarcoma of skeletal muscles, and Liposarcoma of the fat cells in limbs or abdomen.
3. Leukemias: Affect the blood and bone marrow, leading to an overproduction of abnormal white blood cells.
4. Lymphomas: These cancers begin in the lymphatic system, part of the immune system. There are 2 types of lymphomas - Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
5. Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors: These occur in the brain or spinal cord and can be benign or malignant.
6. Melanomas: These cancers start in cells that produce skin pigment.
7. Others: This category includes less common cancers like ovarian, pancreatic, kidney, and thyroid cancers.
Staging is the process of assessing how far the disease has progressed and spread in the body. This helps healthcare professionals understand the size and location of the tumor, whether it has reached the lymph nodes, and if there are any signs of metastasis or spreading to other parts of the body. The staging process provides crucial guidance for making treatment decisions. The TNM system (Tumor, Node, Metastasis) is widely used for cancer staging.
1. Tumor (T) Stage:
- TX: Unable to evaluate the primary tumor.
- T0: No evidence of primary tumor.
- Tis: Carcinoma in situ (early stage, not invasive).
- T1, T2, T3, T4: Gradually increasing size or local extent of the primary tumor.
2. Node (N) Stage:
- NX: Lymph nodes cannot be assessed.
- N0: No regional lymph node involvement.
- N1, N2, N3: Increasing involvement of regional lymph nodes.
3. Metastasis (M) Stage:
- MX: The presence of distant metastasis cannot be determined.
- M0: No distant metastasis.
- M1: Presence of distant metastasis to other organs or distant lymph nodes.
Using these components, a stage is assigned to the cancer, usually represented by Roman numerals from I to IV. The higher the stage, the more advanced the cancer is. In some cases, sub-stages may further differentiate within each main stage.
- Stage 0: Indicates in situ cancer, meaning it hasn't invaded surrounding tissues.
- Stages I and II: Typically refer to localized cancer that hasn't spread extensively.
- Stage III: Indicates regional spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues.
- Stage IV: Signifies cancer that has spread to distant body parts.
A cancer diagnosis involves a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging tests, laboratory tests, and sometimes a biopsy.
1. Clinical Evaluation: A thorough medical history and physical examination is the 1st step of diagnosis where an oncologist asks about symptoms, risk factors, family history, and relevant medical conditions.
2. Imaging Tests: Imaging tests help visualize the body's internal structures to identify abnormalities:
3. Laboratory Tests:
Blood tests and other laboratory analyses can provide valuable information:
4. Biopsy: A biopsy is the definitive way to confirm a cancer diagnosis. It involves removing a small piece of tissue from the suspicious area for examination under a microscope.
5. Pathology Examination: The tissue sample obtained from the biopsy is sent to a pathologist, who examines it under a microscope. They analyze the cells' appearance, structure, and behavior to determine if cancer is present and its type.
6. Multidisciplinary Team Review: Depending on the diagnosis, a team of specialists (oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, etc.) may review the case to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Advances in treatments and research provide optimism for effectively managing or even curing certain types of cancers. But, being well-informed remains the first phase that helps navigate this tough journey with resilience and hope.
The information provided on this page is user-generated and for informational purposes only. Always consult with a doctor for better guidance regarding your health conditions.
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