What Is Cancer and How Cancer Develops

What Is Cancer?
Understanding What Cancer Is and How Cancer Develops

If someone asked you to define cancer, could you do it? We all have heard the word "cancer" many times, however very few people understand the disease and how it develops.

Cancer is term that encompasses a complex group of more than 100 different types of cancerous diseases. Cancer can affect just about every organ in the human body. Many people are surprised to learn that cancer can affect parts of the body like eyes and the heart.

Each type of cancer is unique with its own causes, symptoms, and methods of treatment. Like with all groups of disease, some types of cancer are more common than others. A-Z Index of Types of Cancer

How Does Cancer Develop?
The organs in our body are made up of cells. Cells divide and multiply as the body needs them. When these cells continue multiplying when the body doesn't need them, the result is a mass or growth, also called a tumor.

These growths are considered either benign or malignant. Benign is considered non-cancerous and malignant is cancerous. Benign tumors rarely are life threatening and do not spread to other parts of the body. They can often be removed.

Malignant tumors, however, often invade nearby tissue and organs, spreading the disease.

How Does Cancer Spread to Other Parts of the Body?
The cells within malignant tumors have the ability to invade neighboring tissues and organs, thus spreading the disease. It is also possible for cancerous cells to break free from the tumor site and enter the bloodstream, spreading the disease to other organs. This process of spreading is called metastasis.

When cancer has metastasized and has affected other areas of the body, the disease is still referred to the organ of origination. For example, if cervical cancer spreads to the lungs, it is still called cervical cancer, not lung cancer.

Although most cancers develop and spread this way -- via an organ - blood cancer like leukemia do not. They affect the blood and the organs that form blood and then invade nearby tissues.

Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of cancer vary based on the type of cancer. As cancer progresses to an advanced stage, common symptoms can include weight loss, fever, and fatigue. These are very non-specific symptoms that are more likely related to other less serious illnesses than cancer.

• What Are the Symptoms of Cancer?
• 10 Cancer Symptoms Women Need to Know
• Check Your Symptoms

Treatment of Cancer
There are four standard methods of treatment for cancer: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy/biologic therapy. When initially diagnosed with cancer, a cancer specialist (called an oncologist) will provide the patient with cancer treatment options. He or she will recommend the best treatment plan based on the type of cancer, how far it has spread, and other important factors like age and general health.

Ultimately, it is the patient who makes the treatment decisions based on doctor's recommendations, possible second opinions, and other information gathered from qualified professionals.

Important Questions to Ask Your Doctor When Diagnosed with Cancer
• Tips for Getting a Second Opinion
• How to Choose an Oncologist

Cancer Prevention
Most people don't realize that cancer is preventable in many cases. Learning what causes cancer and what the risk factors are is the first step in cancer prevention. Many cancer risk factors can be avoided, thus reducing the likelihood of developing cancer. Of course, some cancer risks like genetics cannot be avoided.

Smoking is the most significant cancer risk factor that we can reduce. It is responsible for not only lung cancer, but many other types of cancer. One of the best ways to prevent cancer is to quit smoking or never start. As soon as you quit, and it's never too late, your body reaps the benefits of being tobacco-free. More Cancer Prevention Tips

Leukemia. Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Leukemia
The Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention of Leukemia

Leukemia is a disease that affects blood-forming cells in the body. It is a cancerous condition characterized by an abundance of abnormal white blood cells in the body. Leukemia begins in the bone marrow and spreads to other parts of the body. Both children and adults can develop leukemia.
Types of Leukemia
Leukemia can be divided into four different types. It is first classified as acute or chronic.

In chronic leukemia, the leukemia cells come from mature, abnormal cells. The cells thrive for too long and accumulate. These type of cells slowly multiply.

Acute leukemias, on the other hand, develop from early cells, called "blasts," which are young cells that divide frequently. In acute leukemia cells, they don't stop dividing like their normal counterparts do.

Myelogenous vs Lymphocytic
After being classified as acute or chronic, it is then classified by the type of cells in which the leukemia started from. It can either be myelogenous or lymphocytic.

Myelogenous leukemia develops from myeloid cells. The disease can either be chronic or acute, referred to as chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). There are several types of myelogenous leukemia.

Lymphocytic Leukemia

Lymphocytic leukemia develops from cells called "lymphoblasts" or "lymphocytes" in the blood marrow. The disease can be acute or chronic, referred to as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). There are several types of lymphocytic leukemia.
Causes and Risk Factors of Leukemia

Researchers have identified several causes and risk factors for leukemia. It happens in:

• people older than the age of 60, but it can occur in younger people
• people who smoke
• people who have undergone previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• people infected with the human T-cell leukemia virus, a virus that infects T-cells that is spread by sharing syringes and used to inject drugs; through blood transfusions; through sexual contact; and from mother to child at birth or through breastfeeding
• people with myelodysplasctic syndrome, a blood disorder
• people with Down syndrome

Symptoms of Leukemia
Leukemia symptoms can occur all of a sudden or gradually. The symptoms are broad, but there are specific signs of leukemia to keep an eye out for:

• fever
• infection
• excessive bruising
• fatigue
• physical exercise intolerance
• abdominal pain, or generally feeling fullness
• weight loss
• abnormal bleeding
• enlargement of the lymph nodes, spleen and/or liver
• weakness

Diagnosing Leukemia
A doctor may suspect you have leukemia after completing a physical or if you report experiencing the symptoms of leukemia. There are instances where leukemia is suspected from results of blood tests performed for other reasons. There are several tests a doctor may use to diagnose leukemia, ranging from blood tests to spinal taps.

Physical Exam. During a physical exam, a doctor may look for lumps, other abnormalities or symptoms of leukemia. A thorough medical history will be taken and the patient can report a history of leukemia or any symptoms or risk factors.

Blood Tests. Blood tests, such as complete blood count (CBC) can detect leukemia. A CBC determines the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. It also can count the number of red blood cells that make up the blood sample and the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. Other blood tests that may be used to diagnose leukemia include:

• peripheral blood smear - determines the presence of blast cells and reveals the type and quantity of white blood cells
• cytogenic analysis - is a blood test in which a sample of blood is examined to check for changes in the chromosomes of the lymphocytes
• other various blood tests - other blood tests may be ordered to see how organs are functioning and if they are being affected by leukemia


Biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of cells are removed from the body to be examined for cancer. Bone marrow biopsy is used to diagnose leukemia. A large bore needle is inserted in to the hip or, rarely, the breast bone and a sample of the bone is removed and bone marrow is then aspirated. The material is then examined by a pathologist. A lymph node biopsy may also be performed depending on the type of leukemia suspected.

Lumbar Puncture/Spinal Tap. A lumbar puncture or spinal tap may be done to diagnose leukemia. Under an anesthetic, a small amount of spinal fluid is removed from the spaces between the vertebrae in the spine. The fluid is then examined by a pathologist.
Leukemia Treatment
Treatment for leukemia varies greatly depending on the type of leukemia and stage of the disease. Many times, leukemia is treated with one or more types of treatment.

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that either kill cancer cells or prevent the cells from dividing. Chemotherapy can be given in a variety of ways, with IV infusion and pill being more common. The type of chemotherapy given depends on the stage and type of cancer.

Radiation Therapy. Radiation therapy is the use of certain types of energy to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. This energy can be waves or particles like protons, electrons, x-rays and gamma rays.

Biologic Therapy. Biologic therapy is treatment that uses the knowledge specific to the cancer to eliminate it. Substances made by the body or made in a laboratory are used to boost, direct or restore the body's natural defenses against cancer or to specifically shut down its division.

Surgery. Surgical removal of the spleen is also a treatment option for chronic leukemia. The spleen collects leukemia cells, and they accumulate, causing the spleen to enlarge. An enlarged spleen can cause many complications.

Hematopoietic Cells or Bone Marrow Transplant. A hematopoietic transplant is a procedure to replace normal marrow production that has been destroyed by treatment with high doses of anticancer drugs or radiation. Transplantation may be autologous (an individual's own stem cells saved before treatment), allogeneic (stem cells donated by someone else) or syngeneic (stem cells donated by an identical twin).

Leukemia Prevention
Unfortunately, there are no proven leukemia prevention methods. Even more sadly, most of the risk factors cannot be avoided like in other types of cancer. We simply cannot avoid aging or having conditions like Down's Syndrome. There are some risk factors we can avoid that may aid in leukemia risk reduction, like not smoking. If you smoke cigarettes, now is the time to quit. Smoking puts you at risk for many types of cancer, including acute myelogenous leukemia. 1 in every 4 cases of AML is linked to smoking.

Reducing your exposure to benzene may reduce your risk of developing leukemia. Benzene is a chemical by product of coal and petroleum, used mainly is gasoline. It is also contained in other things such as paints, solvents, plastics, pesticides and detergents. People who work in the manufacturing of these products may be putting themselves at risk for leukemia.
(By Lisa Fayed)

Kidney Cancer. Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Kidney Cancer
The Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention of Kidney Cancer

The kidneys are an essential part of our urinary system. We have two kidneys, and they are located on either side of the spine in our lower back. They are about the size of a fist and bean shaped.

The primary function of the kidney is to filter waste from our blood. About 50 gallons of blood enter our kidneys every day. They also process approximately two quarts of extra water and waste products. The waste and extra water is turned into urine. The urine then travels down tubes, called ureters, and is stored in the bladder until excretion (urination).

Like other organs in our bodies, the kidneys are vulnerable to infection and disease, including cancer. There are several types of cancer that can develop in the kidney, but renal cell carcinoma is by far the most prevalent. It is estimated that 9 of 10 cases of kidney cancer are renal cell carcinomas. Other types of kidney cancer, although much less commonly, include:

• transitional cell carcinoma
• Wilms' Tumor
• renal sarcoma


Causes and Risk Factors of Kidney Cancer
We cannot pinpoint what exactly causes kidney cancer, but researchers have identified several risk factors for the disease. Causes and risk factors vary for each type of kidney cancer. Risk factors of kidney cancer may include:

• smoking
• workplace exposure to asbestos, benzene, cadmium,
• obesity
• having Von Hippel-Lindau disease or hereditary papillary RCC (genetic conditions that increase the risk of kidney cancer)
• chronic kidney failure

Symptoms of Kidney Cancer
Unfortunately, kidney cancer symptoms usually do not appear until the disease has progressed. In fact, kidney cancer is usually detected "accidentally" when another symptom or condition is being investigated. Like with kidney cancer risk factors, symptoms vary based on the type of kidney cancer. There are some common symptoms, however. Symptoms of kidney cancer include:

• blood in the urine, either seen after urination or microscopically
• abdominal mass
• pain felt on the side or or lower back

Diagnosing Kidney Cancer
A palpable mass or the finding of a mass on an x-ray done for another reason are usually what leads a physician to suspect kidney cancer. The first step in diagnosing kidney cancer is through various imaging tests. Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and intravenous pyelogram (IVP) are all methods that may be used to help diagnose kidney cancer.

Ultimately, it is a kidney biopsy that will confirm the presence or absence of cancer and what type it is. A kidney biopsy can be done through a fine needle aspiration biopsy technique.

If cancer is found, more tests may need to be done to determine if the kidney cancer has spread to nearby tissues and organs. This is called staging.
Treatment of Kidney Cancer
Just about everyone with kidney cancer will receive some type of surgery to treat their cancer. People with early-stage kidney cancer are the best candidates for surgery, but those who have a later stage of kidney cancer may not be healthy enough to withstand surgery.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used to treat kidney cancer, but are often ineffective. Some tumors just don't respond well like other types of cancer. Radiation therapy is most often used palliatively, to relieve discomfort caused by the effects of the cancer spreading.

Immunotherapy, also called biologic therapy, is a treatment option for many types of kidney caner. Immunotherapy drugs stimulate the immune system to help fight cancer. Common immunotherapy drugs used to treat kidney cancer include interferon or interleukin-2.

Several targeted therapy drugs have been approved for use in some people with kidney cancer. These kind of drugs block and prevent the growth and spreading of malignant cells. They do this by attacking the cells directly or preventing the growth of blood vessels that provide tumors nourishment to grow. Approved targeted therapy drugs include:

• Sutent
• Nexavar
• Avastin
• Torisel

Prevention of Kidney Cancer
While there are no proven kidney cancer prevention methods, there are steps we can take to reduce our risk of kidney cancer.

Quit Smoking or Don't Start. Smoking is a strong risk factor for renal cell carcinoma. As soon as you quit (it's never too late!), your body reaps the benefits of being tobacco free. Quitting smoking is the best defense against lung cancer. Need help kicking the habit? Visit the About.com Smoking Cessation site.

Know What You are Being Exposed to in the Workplace. If you are exposed to fumes, dust and chemicals in the workplace, you have a right to know what you are being exposed to. Gasoline, diesel exhaust, arsenic, beryllium, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas and chloromethyl ethers are all carcinogens and can be found in some work environments. Talk to your employer about limiting your exposure.

Eat a Well-Balanced Diet. Eating a well-balanced diet is advantageous for many reasons. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, but low in animal fats and salt, is beneficial. Obesity is a risk factor many types of kidney cancer.
(By Lisa Fayed)

Laryngeal Cancer . Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Laryngeal Cancer
The Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention of Laryngeal Cancer

Laryngeal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the larynx - an organ that plays an important role in breathing and communicating. It contains the vocal cords, which give us the sound needed to speak. The larynx is composed of three different parts:

• glottis - the part of the larynx that contains the vocal cords
• supraglottis - the area above the glottis
• subglottis - area below the glottis

Cancer can develop in each of these three areas and are very unique from one another. They each produce different symptoms, require different treatment methods, and vary in prognosis.

Causes of Laryngeal Cancer
About 13,000 people are diagnosed in the United States with laryngeal cancer each year. It affects men much more often than women. This is likely due to the variance of tobacco abuse among the sexes. Men simply use tobacco products more than women and typically do so long term. Thus, smoking remains as the greatest cause of laryngeal cancer.

Heavy alcohol consumption also increases your risk of developing laryngeal cancer. Those who use tobacco products and consume alcohol are at the greatest risk.

Studies have shown a link between those who suffer from GERD and laryngeal cancer. More studies are being done to understand GERD's influence on the development of cancer and what may be done reduce the risk. It is a small risk and not everyone who has GERD will develop laryngeal cancer.

Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer
One of the most commonly experienced symptoms of laryngeal cancer is persistent hoarseness of the voice. Hoarseness that does not go away after two weeks should be reported to your doctor. Keep in mind that hoarseness is extrmemely common and much more likely to be caused by something other than laryngeal cancer. Common culprits of a hoarse voice include smoking, seasonal allergies, and laryngitis.

Ohter symptpoms of layrngeal cancer include:
• difficulty swallowing
• pain or burning sensation when swallowing
• sensation of food being stuck in the throat when swallowing
• persistent cough that is unrelated to common cold or allergies
• lump in the neck
• sore throat
• earache, although rare
• choking on food
• halitosis (bad breath)

Tumor size and location are the greatest factors in what symptoms a person may experience. If tumor develops in the vocal cords, typical symptoms may present with a change in the voice, like hoarseness. When tumors develop above or below the vocal cords, although much less common, different symptoms like an earache or breathing difficulties may occur.

People with these type of persistent symptoms may be referred to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor called an otolaryngologist for further evaluation.

Diagnosing Laryngeal Cancer
Laryngeal cancer is most often diagnosed when a person seeks medical care for one or more of the above symptoms. The doctor will first perform a routine physical exam, which he or she will fee the throat area for any lumps or other abnormalities.

To get a better view of the inside of the throat, the doctor may recommend having a laryngoscopy. During this procedure, a thin, fiber optic scope is fed down the throat, allowing the doctor to see the back of the throat, larynx, and vocal cords. During a laryngoscopy, a sample of tissue may be taken if any suspicious areas are discovered. This is called a biopsy and it either confirms or rules out cancer.

If cancer is found, it is then necessary to determine the extent of the cancer. This process is called staging. The doctor will want to see if the cancer has spread to nearby tissue or organs. The stage of laryngeal cancer will affect what treatment method will be recommended for you.

Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer
Several factors are taken into consideration when a treatment plan is developed for someone with laryngeal cancer. Their age and overall general health are important, as well the stage and location of the cancer. Whether or not that cancer has spread plays a large role in determining what treatment method is best.

Surgery and radiation therapy (RT) are standard methods of treatment for laryngeal cancer. Surgery is very common in all stages of layrngeal cancer and in the early stages, can have a curative effect. Surgery can be as simple as user laser therapy to remove cancerous tissue to more aggressive surgical approaches, like a laryngectomy - the removal of the larynx. Radiation therapy is also common with laryngeal cancer. It is given as primary treatment and is sometimes given after surgery to elimiate any remaining cancer cells or to remove cancerous tissue that could not be removed during surgery.

Some people with layrngeal cancer may undergo chemotherapy to treat the disease. It is normally presscribed in conjunction with other treatment methods, like surgery and/or radiation therapy as neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. Chemotherapy combined with RT is sometimes recommended in cases where a laryngectomy , which greatly affects quality of life afterwards, is the only option. Using chemotherapy to treat laryngeal cancer is is reserved for patients who meet ceratin criteria.
(By Lisa Fayed)

Anal Cancer. Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention

Anal Cancer
- What is Anal Cancer?
The Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention of Anal Cancer

Anal cancer is cancer that develops in the anus, the opening of the rectum, which allows waste to pass from the large intestine to outside of the body. The anus is often confused with the rectum, which is the last several inches of the lower intestine. The rectum ultimately ends at the anus, where fecal material exits the body.

Like other parts of the body, the anus is susceptible to infections and diseases, such as anal cancer.
Anal Cancer Causes and Risk Factors
• smoking cigarettes
• infection with HPV virus
• receiving anal intercourse
• abnormal openings in or around the anus (fistulas)
• having multiple sexual partners
• being older than 50 years of age
• anal swelling, redness or soreness that occurs frequently

Anal Cancer Symptoms
The symptoms of anal cancer are not unique and are also symptoms of other conditions, such as hemorrhoids. Although anal cancer is relatively simple to diagnose, this can cause a delay in diagnosis for some with anal cancer.

Symptoms of anal cancer include:
• lumps or bumps located near the anus
• anal bleeding or bleeding during bowel movements
• anal discharge
• pain in or around the anus
• itchy sensation around or inside the anus
• change in bowel habits, such as constipation, diarrhea and thinning of the stools

Diagnosis of Anal Cancer
Symptoms are most often what prompt people to seek medical attention that leads to an anal cancer diagnosis, but sometimes the cancer is found through a routine digital rectal exam or an anal Pap test. If anal cancer is suspected, then further evaluation is required to confirm the presence or absence of cancer.

The first step in diagnosing cancer is to view the anus and rectum more closely. This is done endoscopically, with a hollow, lighted tube called "anoscope." The anoscope is lubricated and inserted into the anus, allowing the doctor to get a better view of the anus. The procedure is called an "anoscopy" and is brief and painless.

If a suspicious area is found during an anoscopy, then the doctor may remove it or do a biopsy. A biopsy involves removing small samples of abnormal tissue to be later viewed under a microscope by a pathologist.

The pathologist studies the biopsy and looks for cancerous cells. If cancer is confirmed, then he or she will also determine what stage the anal cancer has progressed to. Staging refers to how far the cancer has spread to nearby tissues. For those with suspected cases of advanced anal cancer, more tests may be done to determine the anal cancer stage. Tests may include MRIs, CT scans or other imaging tests.
Anal Cancer Treatment
There are three primary methods of treating anal cancer: radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery.

Radiation Therapy. Radiation therapy uses certain types of high-energy beams of radiation to shrink tumors or eliminate cancer cells. Radiation therapy works by damaging a cancer cell's DNA, making it unable to multiply. Although radiation therapy can damage nearby healthy cells, cancer cells are highly sensitive to radiation and typically die when treated. Healthy cells that are damaged during radiation are resilient and are often able to fully recover.

Two primary types of radiation therapy are external beam radiation therapy and internal beam radiation, also called "brachytherapy." External beam radiation is much more common than internal beam radiation in treating anal cancer.

• Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
• How to Manage Skin Side Effects Caused by Radiation Therapy

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may be prescribed to treat anal cancer in conjunction with radiation therapy treatments. Chemotherapy drugs work by eliminating rapidly multiplying cancer cells, however, there are other healthy cells in the body that multiply just as quickly, such as hair follicle cells. Unfortunately, many chemotherapy drugs may not be able to discern the two, attacking healthy cells and causing side effects, such as hair loss.

Surgery. Surgery to remove the tumor is the least common method of treating anal cancer but is still an option for some. When surgery is recommended, it is often done in conjunction with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.

Anal Cancer Prevention
Since we cannot explain what exactly causes anal cancer, total prevention can be difficult. The best defense we have against developing the disease is to avoid the known risk factors. Tips to help reduce your risk of anal cancer include:

Using a condom during intercourse. Wearing a condom may provide protection against HPV. Although condoms do not provide 100% protection against HPV, you are much safer wearing one than not.

Limiting the amount of sexual partners you have. When a person has multiple sexual partners, they are at an increased risk for HPV, which is linked to anal cancer.

Avoiding anal intercourse. Anal intercourse increases the risk factor for anal cancer for both men and women.

Quitting smoking. According to the American Cancer Society, smokers are 4 times more likely to develop anal cancer than nonsmokers. Smoking also puts you at a higher risk for many other types of cancer.

The HPV vaccine is expected to reduce cases of anal cancer, but there are no studies that confirm this yet. Gardasil, the current FDA-approved vaccine, is available to young women ages 9 to 26. It provides protection against two strains of HPV known to cause cervical cancer in women and two strains that cause genital warts also. Because these strains of HPV may be related to the development of anal cancer, the vaccine may provide protection. More research is being done to study the vaccine's efficacy in men.

(By Lisa Fayed)

Types of Cancer T - Z. Information about types of cancer.

A listing of cancer types, continued T - Z. Simply click on the desired cancer type to discover the basics, such as causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention techniques.

• Testicular Cancer
• Throat Cancer
• Thyroid Cancer
• Uterine Cancer
• Vaginal Cancer
• Renal Cell Cancer
•

Types of Cancer N - S. Information about types of cancer.

A listing of cancer types, continued N - S. Simply click on the desired cancer type to discover the basics, such as causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention techniques.

• Oral Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Rectal Cancer
• Renal Cell Cancer
• Skin Cancer
• Stomach Cancer
•

Types of Cancer I - M. Information about types of cancer.

A listing of cancer types, continued I - M. Simply click on the desired cancer type to discover the basics, such as causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention techniques.

• Kidney Cancer
• Laryngeal Cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Lymphoma
• Melanoma
• Mesothelioma
• Multiple Myeloma

Types of Cancer D - H. Information about types of cancer.

A listing of cancer types, continued D - H. Simply click on the desired cancer type to discover the basics, such as causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention techniques.

• Endometrial Cancer
• Esophageal Cancer
• Ewing's Sarcoma
• Eye Cancer
• Gastrointestinal Cancer
• Gynecologic Cancer
• Head and Neck Cancer
•

Types of Cancer A - C. Information about types of cancer.

Looking to find specific information about a certain type of cancer? Simply click on the desired cancer type to discover the basics, such as causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention techniques.

• AIDS Related Cancer
• Anal Cancer
• Bladder Cancer
• Bone Cancer
• Brain Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Cervical Cancer
• Colon Cancer
•