Abnormal cell division
Normal cells in your body grow and divide. Each one has a life cycle determined by the type of cell. As cells become damaged or die off, new cells take their place.
Cancer disrupts this process and causes cells to grow abnormally. It’s caused by changes or mutations in the cell’s DNA.
The DNA in each cell has instructions that tell the cell what to do and how to grow and divide. Mutations occur frequently in DNA, but usually, cells correct these mistakes. When a mistake is not corrected, a cell can become cancerous.
Mutations can cause cells that should be replaced to survive instead of die, and new cells to form when they’re not needed. These extra cells can divide uncontrollably, causing tumors to form.
Creation of tumors
Tumors can cause health problems, depending on where they grow in the body.
Not all tumors are cancerous. Benign tumors are noncancerous and do not spread to nearby tissues.
But sometimes, tumors can grow large and cause problems when they press against neighboring organs and tissue. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can invade other parts of the body.
Metastasis
Some cancer cells can also spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to distant areas of the body. This is called metastasis.
Cancers that have metastasized are considered more advanced than those that have not. Metastatic cancers are often harder to treat and more fatal.
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Treatment
Cancer treatment can include different options, depending on the type of cancer and how advanced it is.
- Localized treatment. Localized treatment usually involves using treatments like surgery or local radiation therapy at a specific area of the body or tumor.
- Systemic treatment. Systemic drug treatments, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, can affect the entire body.
- Palliative treatment. Palliative care involves relieving health symptoms associated with cancer, such as trouble breathing and pain.
Different cancer treatments are often used together to remove or destroy as many cancerous cells as possible.
The most common types of treatment are:
Surgery
Surgery removes as much of cancer as possible. Surgery is often used in combination with some other therapy in order to make sure all of the cancer cells are gone.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a form of aggressive cancer treatment that uses medications that are toxic to cells to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. It may be used to shrink the size of a tumor or the number of cells in your body and lower the likelihood of the cancer spreading.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses powerful, focused beams of radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy done inside of your body is called brachytherapy, while radiation therapy done outside of your body is called external beam radiation.
Stem cell (bone marrow) transplant
This treatment repairs diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can have a variety of functions. These transplants allow doctors to use higher doses of chemotherapy to treat cancer. A stem cell transplant is commonly used to treat leukemia.
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Immunotherapy (biological therapy)
Immunotherapy uses your body’s own immune system to attack cancer cells. These therapies help your antibodies recognize cancer, so they can use your body’s natural defenses to destroy cancer cells.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy removes or blocks hormones that fuel certain cancers to stop cancer cells from growing. This therapy is a common treatment for cancers that may use hormones to grow and spread, such as certain types of breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Targeted drug therapy
Targeted drug therapy uses drugs to interfere with certain molecules that help cancer cells grow and survive. Genetic testing may reveal if you are eligible for this type of therapy. It may depend on the type of cancer you have and the genetic mutations and molecular characteristics of your tumor.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials investigate new ways to treat cancer. This may include testing the effectiveness of drugs that have already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but for other purposes. It can also include trying new drugs. Clinical trials can offer another option for people who may have not seen the level of success they wanted with conventional treatments. In some cases, this treatment may be provided for free.
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Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine may be used to complement another form of treatment. It may help decrease symptoms of cancer and side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea, fatigue, and pain. Alternative medicine for cancer can include:
- acupuncture
- yoga
- massage
- meditation
- relaxation techniques
Outlook
After you get a cancer diagnosis, your outlook can depend on a number of factors. These factors can include:
- type of cancer
- stage of cancer at diagnosis
- location of cancer
- age
- general health
- Prevention
Knowing the factors that contribute to cancer can help you live a lifestyle that decreases your cancer risk.
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Preventive measures to reduce your risk of developing cancer can include:
- avoiding tobacco and secondhand smoke
- limiting your intake of processed meats
- eating a diet that focuses mainly on plant-based foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats, such as the Mediterranean diet
- avoiding alcohol or drinking in moderation
- maintaining moderate body weight and BMI
- doing regular moderate physical activity for 150 to 300 minutes per week
- staying protected from the sun by avoiding direct sun exposure and wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
- avoiding tanning beds
- getting vaccinated against viral infections that can lead to cancer, such as hepatitis B and HPV
Meet with a doctor regularly so they can screen you for various types of cancer. This increases your chances of catching any possible cancers as early as possible.
Takeaway
Cancer is a group of serious diseases that are caused by genetic changes in your cells. Abnormal cancer cells may divide rapidly and form tumors.
Risk factors like smoking, drinking alcohol, a lack of physical activity, an unhealthy diet, having a high BMI, and catching certain viruses and bacteria may contribute to developing cancer.
Screenings may help detect cancer early when it is easier to treat. The treatment plan and outlook for people with cancer can depend on the type of cancer, the stage at which it is diagnosed, and their age and general health.