Causes and risk factors
No specific cause or underlying pathology has been identified as definite cause of cancer. Every form of cancer occurs due a complex interaction between genetic predisposition, past history and external carcinogenic agents. Three types of carcinogenic agents are physical, chemical, and biological. Examples include smoking for lung cancer, and chewing tobacco for oral cancer, alcohol use, dietary factors like low fruit and vegetable intake, certain viruses, radiation, sunlight, lack of physical activity, obesity or high body mass index, infections, environmental pollutants etc. ageing is one of the important risk factor for development cancer.
Clinical presentation
There are many different kinds of cancers. Cancer can develop in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, skin, bones, or nerve tissue. The following symptoms can occur with most cancers – chills, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, malaise, night sweats unexplained weight loss. The cancer presents in stages as follows –
Stage I – carcinoma in situ
Stage II – the cancer is restricted to the tissue and there is no involvement of the lymph nodes
Stage III- The cancer spreads to the adjacent organs
Stage IV A- metastasis occurs to the nearby areas, organs or tissues
Stage IV B- metastasis occurs to the distant organs via lymphatics or blood
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and Clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. Laboratory studies that may show abnormalities that may indicate cancer are blood, urine, Stool examination. Imaging test that are used are to determine cancer’s location and size are X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and Ultrasound. PET scan is done to see whether there is metastasis in anywhere in the body. Procedures like Tissue biopsy, FNAC confirm the diagnosis of cancer.
Treatment
Treatment for cancer includes chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Surgery involves removal of cancerous lesion, removal of organ [partial or radical], and removal of other organs where metastasis has occurred. After removal of organ, reconstruction surgery may be done. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy will help in treating cancer. Chemotherapy is through oral or intravenous medication. Target cell therapy is newer form of chemotherapy. Stem cell therapy and bone marrow transplant in certain type of cancer give promising results. Regular monitoring may be required. Avoidance of exposure to carcinogenic agents like tobacco, smoking etc is necessary to prevent relapse of cancer. Psychological counselling of the patient and relatives with reassurance contributes further to the treatment. Implementation of evidence based strategies such as early detection of cancer, management of the cancer patient will prevent the disease complication and help in treating the disease.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating cancer. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating cancer.
Facts and figures
14.1 million Cancer cases were recorded worldwide in 2012. There were 8.2 million deaths due to cancer in the world in 2012. According to the World Health Organization estimates, the number of new cases of cancer is expected to rise by 70% in the next two decades. Worldwide, among men 5 most common sites of cancer include lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver. While in women common sites of cancer include breast, colorectal, lung, cervix, stomach.
