Cancer is an illness caused by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the human body. Cells proliferate erratically taking over organs and eventually striking the entire body with metastasis. This rapid growth can be caused by many factors. One important factor to mention in the etiology of cancer is that all cancer is caused by mutations of DNA. DNA is the genetic material that controls how cells behave. Abnormal cancer cells are produced in the most common formations known as tumors. This is not always the case. Other cancers exist which do not form tumors such as leukemia, which begins in the bone marrow and blood.
Normal body processes allow cells to divide, grow, differentiate, and perform their essential functions in an orderly fashion. Cell division is regulated flawlessly in the body and has mechanisms such as tumor-suppressing mechanisms within itself to prohibit cells to grow uncontrollably. When abnormal cells grow, normal cell division in the cell cycle is disrupted. This disruption can be caused by many different factors such as mutations caused by viruses, the environment, tobacco, etc.
In order for tumors to thrive, blood has to reach the cells. To provide a blood supply for all the cells in the tumor it must form new blood vessels. A process called angiogenesis is where tumor cells make growth factors that induce formation of new capillary blood vessels (Huether & McCance, 2019). These new vessels supply the cells in the center with nutrients and oxygen. Without a blood supply tumor cells cannot spread or metastasize to other tissue. “Thus malignant transformation, the process by which a normal cell becomes a cancer cell, is directed by progressive accumulation of genetic changes that alter the basic nature of the cell and drive it to malignancy” (Huether & McCance, 2019, p. 358). Without this effect a tumor is considered in situ in which is encapsulated and at the time does not cause metastasis but warrants surveillance for any growth.
Metastasis
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells that have broken away to new areas of the body usually through the lymph system or bloodstream. The lymph system carries lymph fluid throughout the entire body. A tumor that has spread to other regions of the body is said to have metastasized. Primary tumors are named after the original site in which the cancer was found. Tumors formed from cells that have spread or “seeded” elsewhere are called secondary tumors. These in particular have to be able to break away from the original (primary) tumor and get into the bloodstream or lymph system, which can carry them to another part of the body. At some point they need to do the following: attach to the wall of a blood or lymph vessel and move through it, out into a new organ, then need to be able to grow and thrive in their new location (American Cancer Society, 2017). Invasive cancer cells have the ability to degradate the extracellular matrix by secreting protease. Once this secretes it breaks down the tissue boundaries and invades the adjacent tissues causing cells to migrate.
A cancer diagnosis is made through biopsy after a specific suspicious lesion or growth is found. Biopsies are then sent to a pathology lab for confirmation of malignancy.
CT scan is often used after a report of pain or abnormality where the images of the site being investigated is chopped into multiple sections for a closer look. A whole body Positron Emission Tomography Scan (PET SCAN) is also ordered to observe if any FDG (fludeoxyglucose) reuptake in order to prove metastasis to other regions of the body. PET Scans are used to see the entire body and also note any FDG uptake. This is done after confirmation of a malignancy to diagnose or look for metastasis.
The main treatments for metastasis include: medications as well as chemotherapy which affects your entire body. This is considered “systemic therapy”. It includes chemotherapy and other medications, such as targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and biologic treatment. “Local” therapy includes surgery, radiation therapy, and some other treatments.
The majority of cancers are incurable. The above treatments help keep patients more comfortable for a better quality of life while they are dealing with cancer. “These treatments pursue the following: shrink the cancer, slow its growth, help relieve symptoms, and help you live longer” (Mayo Clinic2018).
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Includes Diseases: Squamous cell carcinoma; Adenocarcinoma.
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