INTRODUCTION:

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth

of abnormal cells anywhere in a body.
These abnormal cells are termed cancer
cells, malignant cells or tumor cells. These
cells can infiltrate normal body tissues.
Many cancers and the abnormal cells that
compose the cancer tissue are further
identified by the name of the tissue that the
abnormal cells originate from. Cancer is not
confined to human; animals and other living
organisms can get cancer. Below is a
schematic that shows normal cell division
and how when a cell is damaged or altered
without repair to its system, the cell usually
dies. Also shown is what occurs when such
damaged or unrepaired cells do not die and
become cancer cells and show uncontrolled
division and growth – a mass of cancer cells
develop. Frequently, cancer cells can break
away from this original mass of cells, travel
through the blood and lymph systems, and
lodge in other organs where they can again
repeat the uncontrolled growth cycle. This
process of cancer cells leaving an area and
growing in another body area is termed
metastatic spread or metastasis. For
example, if breast cancer cells spread to
bone, it means that the individual has
metastatic breast cancer to bone. This is not
the same as “bone cancer”, which would
mean the cancer had started in the bone.

Formation of cancer:
 Cell division is a normal
process used by the body for growth and
repair. A parent cell divides to form two
daughter cells, and these daughter cells are
used to build new tissue, or to replace cells
that have died as a result of ageing or
damage. Healthy cells stop dividing when
there is no longer a need for more daughter
cells, but cancer cells continue to produce
copies.

Cancer is unchecked cell growth.

Mutation in genes can cause cancer by
accelerating cell division rates or inhibiting
normal controls on the system, such as cell
cycle arrest or programmed cell death. As a
mass of cancerous cell grows, it can develop
onto a tumor.
 Cancer VS normal cell
Normal cell Cancer cell
Cell reproduction is These cells may have
needed to replenish the gene mutations that
cell population that ages affect the reproductive
or becomes damaged or properties of the cells.
destroyed. Normal cells They don’t experience
reproduce properly biological aging and
maintain their ability
to replicate and grow.
Cells communicate with Cancer cells lose ability
other cells through to communicate with
chemical signals. These other cells through
signals help normal cells chemical signals. They
to know when to also lose sensitivity to
reproduce and when to anti-growth signals
stop reproducing. Cell from surrounding cells.
signals usually These signals normally
transmitted into a cell by restrict cellular growth.
specific proteins.
Normal cells have the Cancer cells are
ability to differentiate or
unspecialized and do
develop into specialized not develop into cells
cells. For example, cellsof a specific type.
can develop into heart Similar to stem cells,
cells, brain cells, lung cells
cancer cells proliferate
or any other cell of a or replicate many
specific type. times, for long periods
of time.
Normal cells have the When the genes in a
ability to self-destruct normal cell are
when they become damaged beyond
damaged or diseased. repair, certain DNA
Cells break down and are checking mechanism
disposed of by white signal for cell
blood cells. destruction.
The tumor family tree
Tumors are abnormal growths of cells that
can occur in any tissue or organ of the body.
They can be classified into several types
based on their characteristics, location, and
behavior. Here are some of the main types
of tumors:
1. Benign Tumors: These are non-cancerous
tumors that do not invade surrounding
tissues or spread to other parts of the body.
Examples include uterine fibroids,
lymphomas, and osteochondromas.
2. Malignant Tumors: These are cancerous
tumors that can invade surrounding tissues
and spread to other parts of the body.
Examples include carcinomas, sarcomas,
and lymphomas.
3. Primary Tumors: These are tumors that
originate in the organ or tissue where they
are found. Examples include breast cancer,
lung cancer, and colon cancer.
4. Secondary Tumors: These are tumors
that have spread from another location in
the body. Examples include metastatic
breast cancer to the brain or liver.
5. Carcinomas: These are tumors that arise
from epithelial cells, which form the lining
of organs and glands. Examples include
breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon
cancer.
6. Sarcomas: These are tumors that arise
from connective tissue cells, such as bone,
cartilage, and fat. Examples include
osteosarcoma and soft tissue sarcoma.
7. Lymphomas: These are tumors that arise
from immune cells, such as lymphocytes.
Examples include Hodgkin lymphoma and
non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
8. Leukemia: These are tumors that arise
from blood cells, such as white blood cells,
red blood cells, or platelets. Examples
include acute myeloid leukemia and chronic
lymphocytic leukemia.
9. Gliomas: These are tumors that arise
from brain or spinal cord tissue. Examples
include astrocytoma and glioblastoma.
10. Adenomas: These are tumors that arise
from glandular tissue, such as the pituitary
gland or adrenal glands. Examples include
pituitary adenoma and adrenal adenoma.
11. Teratomas: These are tumors that
contain tissue from multiple germ layers,
such as hair, teeth, and muscle. Examples
include ovarian teratoma and testicular
teratoma.
12. Chordomas: These are tumors that arise
from the spine or base of the skull.
Examples include chordoma and
chondrosarcoma.
Why does the body not
recognize and destroy
them immediately?
The answer to this is very simple. Cancer
cells are indeed detected and removed by
our immune system.
Cells in our immune system called natural
killer cells have the job of finding cells that
have become abnormal so they can be
removed by other cells in our immune
system. Cancer cells remain alive wither by
evading detectedby disguising themselves
in different ways or by inactivating the
immune cells that come to the scene. The
ability of the immune system to recognize
and eliminate cancer cells is thought to be
responsible for the uncommon but well-
documented phenomena of some cancers
going ways without treatment of the
spontaneous remission of cancer. This
process also lies at the crux of the new
fields of cancer treatment known as
immunotherapy.

Types of cancer:
1. Breast cancer: A cancer that
forms in the cells of the breasts. They
can occur in women but rarely in men.
Symptoms: they include lump in
breasts, bloody discharge from nipple
and changes in the shape or texture of
the nipple or they whole breast itself.
Causes: doctors estimate that about 5-
10% of breast cancer are linked to
 gene mutations passed through
generations of a famil. Other causes
being tobacco and alcohol
consumption .

2.Lung cancer: cancer that begins in the

lungs and most often occurs in people who
smoke. Two major types of lung cancer are
non small cell lung cancer and small lung
cancer.
Symptoms: symptoms include a
cough(often with blood), chest pain,
wheezing and weight loss. These symptoms
often don’t appear until the cancer is
advanced.
Causes: causes of lung cancer include
smoking, second hond smoke, exposure to
certaintoxins and family history.

Colorectal cancer: cancer of the

colon or the rectum located at the digestive
tracts lower end. Early cases begin ad non
cancerous polyps. These often have have no
symptoms but canbe detected by screening.
For this reason, doctors recommend
screening for those at high risk or over the
age of 50.
Symptoms: depends on the size and
location of the cancer. Some commonly
experienced symptoms include changes in
bowel habits, changes in stool consistent,
blood in the stool, sbdominnal discomfort,
etc.
Causes:processed meats, grain fed meat,
refined flour and sugary foods and drinks
(low fiber and high fat diet), a sedentary
lifestyle and through inherited genes.

4. skin cancer: skin cancer - the

abnormal growth of skin cells – most often
develops on skin exposed to the sun. but
this commonform of cancer can also occur
on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed
to sunlight. There are three major types of
skin cancer-basal cell carcinoma, squamous
cell carcinoma and melanoma.
Symptoms: a large brownish spot with
darker speckles. A mole that changes color,
size or feel or that bleeds. A small lesion
with an irregular border and portions that
appear red, pink, white, blue, or blue black.
Causes:excessive sun exposure, high
altitude climates,moles, precancerous skin
lesions, family history of skin cancer.
5. blood cancer: also called leukemia is
a cancer of blood forming tissues, hindering
the bodys ability to fight infections. This is a
type of cancer of blood forming. Many
types exist such as acute lymphocytic
leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia and
chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Symptoms: patientswith slow-growing
types of leukemia don’t have symptoms.
Rapidly growing types of leykimias may
cause symptoms that include fatigue,
weight loss, frequent infectionsand easy
bleeding or bruising.
Causes: weak immune system, certain
infections, aging and due to few inherited
genes.
Diagnosis of cancer:
The diagnosis of cancer involves a
combination of physical examinations,
laboratory tests, and imaging studies to
confirm the presence of cancer cells. Here's
a general overview of the diagnostic
process:
1. Physical examination: A doctor will
perform a physical exam to look for any
unusual changes in the body, such as lumps
or swelling.
2. Laboratory tests: Blood tests, urine tests,
and other lab tests can help identify
abnormalities that may indicate cancer.
3. Imaging studies: Imaging tests like X-rays,
CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans help
doctors visualize internal organs and tissues
to detect tumors or abnormalities.
4. Biopsy: A biopsy involves removing a
small sample of cells or tissue from the
suspected tumor site for examination under
a microscope.
5. Genetic testing: Genetic tests can help
identify genetic mutations that may
indicate an increased risk of developing
certain types of cancer.
6. Staging: If cancer is diagnosed, additional
tests are done to determine the stage
(extent) of the cancer, which helps guide
treatment decisions.

Treatment of cancer:
Surgery:
 1. Curative surgery-removes cancerous
tumor and affected tissue.
2. Debulking surgery: Removes part of a
large tumor to relieve symptoms
3. Palliative surgery: Relieves
symptoms, such as pain or bleeding
4. Reconstructive surgery: Restores
appearance and function after cancer
surgery
Radiation therapy:
1. External beam radiation therapy
2. Internal radiation therapy
(brachytherapy)
3. Stereotactic body radiation therapy
Chemotherapy:
 1. Systemic chemotherapy:
Treats entire body
2. Regional chemotherapy:
Treats specific area
3. Combination chemotherapy:
Uses multiple drugs.
Targeted therepy:
1.Monoclonal antibodies
2. Small molecule inhibitors
3.Angiogenesis inhibitors
4. Hormone receptor blockers
Immunotherapy:
1. Checkpoint inhibitors
2. Cancer vaccines
3. Adoptive T-cell therapy
4. Cytokine therapy
Hormone Therapy:
1. Estrogen receptor blockers (e.g.,
tamoxifen)
2. Progesterone receptor blocker
3. Androgen deprivation therapy
Stem Cell Transplant:
1. Autologous stem cell transplant
(using patient's own stem cells)
2. Allogenic stem cell transplant (using
donor stem cells)
3. Syngeneic stem cell transplant (using
identical twin's stem cells)

Prevention of cancer:
Preventing cancer involves a combination of
lifestyle changes, screenings, and avoiding
risk factors. Here are some ways to reduce
your cancer risk:
1. Don't smoke: Tobacco use is the leading
cause of preventable cancer deaths.
2. Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight
increases the risk of several cancers.
3. Exercise regularly: Physical activity can
help lower cancer risk.
4. Eat a healthy diet: Focus on whole grains,
fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
5. Limit alcohol: Excessive alcohol
consumption increases cancer risk.
6. Protect your skin from the sun: Use
sunscreen, clothing, and shade to prevent
skin cancer.
7. Get vaccinated: HPV and Hepatitis B
vaccines can prevent related cancers.
8. Get screened: Regular screenings can
detect cancers early, when treatable.
9. Avoid environmental carcinogens: Limit
exposure to toxic substances like asbestos
and radon.
10. Manage stress: Chronic stress can
weaken your immune system.
11. Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of
sleep per night.
12. Know your family history: Be aware of
inherited cancer risks.

Conclusion:
Cancer is a complex and multifaceted
disease that affects millions of people
worldwide, causing immense suffering and
claiming countless lives. Despite its
prevalence, cancer remains a mysterious
and often misunderstood condition, with
various types and subtypes that require
unique approaches to treatment.Early
detection and diagnosis are critical in the
fight against cancer, as they enable timely
intervention and significantly improve
survival rates. A range of treatment options
are available, including surgery, radiation
therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy,
immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and
stem cell transplants. Each patient's
treatment plan is tailored to their specific
needs and circumstances.

Recent advances in cancer research have

led to the development of innovative
treatments, such as precision medicine and
immunotherapy combinations, which offer
new hope for improved outcomes.
Additionally, multidisciplinary care,
including palliative care and rehabilitation,
plays a vital role in managing symptoms and
enhancing quality of life.
Ultimately, cancer is a journey that affects
not only the individual but also their loved
ones. Awareness, education, and support
are essential for cancer prevention,
detection, and treatment. By working
together and continuing to advance our
understanding of this disease, we can
improve outcomes and create a future
where cancer is no longer a life-threatening
diagnosis.