Cancer

Cancer is a disease characterized by disorderly division of cells, combined with the malignant behavior of these cells. Malignant cancer cells tend to spread, either by by implantation into distant sites by metastasis (the process whereby cancer cells can move through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to distant locations), or direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion .

Most cancers can be treated and some cured, depending on the specific type, location, and stage. Once diagnosed, cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Cancer may affect people at all ages, but risk tends to increase with age. It is one of the principal causes of death in developed countries.

The Symptoms Of Cancer

Local symptoms

Unusual lumps or swelling (tumor), hemorrhage (bleeding), pain and/or ulceration. Compression of surrounding tissues may cause symptoms such as jaundice.

Systemic symptoms

Weight loss, poor appetite and cachexia (wasting), excessive sweating (night sweats), anemia and specific paraneoplastic phenomena, i.e. specific conditions that are due to an active cancer, such as thrombosis or hormonal changes.

Symptoms of metastasis (spreading)

Enlarged lymph nodes, cough and hemoptysis, hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), bone pain, fracture of affected bones and neurological symptoms. Although advanced cancer may cause pain, it is often not the first symptom.