The Basics of Cancer Treatment

Cancer

Whether you are a doctor or a patient, you have probably heard of cancer. It is a disease of the human body, and consists of an uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells. These cells can spread to other parts of the body and form tumors, which are lumps of abnormal tissue. Some types of cancers are inherited, while others are caused by environmental factors. This disease affects one in three Americans at some point in their lives. Although experts do not know exactly why some people get cancer, they do know what makes them more likely to develop the disease.

The body is made up of trillions of cells. These cells multiply and divide, replacing damaged cells. But when the body doesn’t recognize when cells need to die, the process can become out of control. This is called apoptosis. Apoptosis is a natural process that kills old cells.

There are hundreds of diseases that fall under the category of cancer. However, the term is often used to refer to a collection of abnormal cells. Cancer is the result of changes in chromosomes that allow these cells to multiply in an uncontrollable manner. These changes may be caused by mutations, exposure to chemicals and pollutants, and viruses. Other factors that may play a role include lifestyle choices and genetics.

The main goal of treatment is to kill as many cancerous cells as possible. This is done using drugs that can attack cancer cells, or medicines that are given through an intravenous (IV) line. This IV line is attached to a bag of medicine that is placed in a vein through the skin. The medicine may be a pill or it may be given in multiple courses over weeks to months.

Although the main goal of treatment is to kill as many cancerous cells as possible, the treatment also involves removing healthy cells to prevent the disease from coming back. There are also new ways of fighting cancer, such as designer drugs that can help the body’s immune system fight the disease. The newest treatment is called immunotherapy.

The best cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer you have. Some types of cancer can be treated by surgery, while others may require chemotherapy. However, there are new treatments being developed all the time. Some of these treatments include ‘designer drugs’ that can correct genetic defects that lead to cancer.

The simplest explanation of the cancer is the process by which precancerous cells become cancerous. These cells may be formed from any type of tissue. However, some types of cancer are caused by a virus, exposure to certain chemicals and pollutants, or genetic changes. Some types of cancer grow slowly, while others are more aggressive. This is why it is important to have regular screenings to detect cancer at an early stage.

Another way of looking at the cancer-cell-to-tumor-transformation process is to imagine a chain reaction. As the cancerous cells multiply, they can destroy the surrounding normal cells. This leads to a larger number of cells, and eventually, the cancer may grow to the point that it becomes difficult to differentiate between healthy cells and the cancerous ones.