Definition of Cancer, Types and Methods of Treatment.
GBS - Cancer is a disease caused by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. This abnormal cell growth can damage normal cells around it and in other parts of the body.
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Therefore, do regular screening or health checks so that cancer can be detected early. Meanwhile, to prevent it, live a healthy lifestyle, namely by eating a balanced nutritious diet, exercising diligently, not smoking, and not consuming alcoholic beverages.
Causes of Cancer
The main cause of cancer is a genetic change (mutation) in cells so that the cells grow abnormally. Actually, the body has its own mechanism to destroy these abnormal cells. However, if this mechanism fails, abnormal cells will grow uncontrollably.
Factors that can trigger the growth of cancer cells vary, depending on the type of cancer. However, there is no specific type of cancer that is only triggered by one factor.
Factors that are thought to be at risk of causing genetic mutations in normal cells and the body's failure to repair them include:
- History of cancer in the family
- Age over 65 years, although some types of cancer are more common in children
- Smoking habit
- Exposure to radiation, chemicals (such as asbestos or benzene), or sunlight
- Viral infections, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HPV
- Exposure to high or long-term hormone levels
- Obesity
- Not moving much and not exercising regularly
- Diseases that cause long-term inflammation, such as ulcerative colitis.
- Decreased immune system, for example due to suffering from HIV / AIDS
Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms that arise from cancer also vary, depending on the type of cancer and the organs affected. Some of the complaints that are often experienced by cancer sufferers are:
- A lump appears
- Pain in one part of the body
- Pale, limp, and tired quickly
- Weight loss drastically
- Defecation or urination disorders
- Chronic cough
- Spontaneous bruising and bleeding
- Recurring fever
When to see a doctor
- Get regular screening and checkups with your doctor if you have risk factors for cancer, for example having a family that has had cancer, or frequently having multiple sexual partners without using a condom.
- You also need to see a doctor if you experience symptoms of cancer, such as the appearance of a lump in your body, sudden weight loss, or chronic cough. Early detection of cancer can improve treatment success.
- Cancer sufferers need to undergo treatment from an oncologist. Furthermore, routine checks will be carried out to see if the treatment given is effective.
- If the patient's condition has improved and the cancer is declared cured, the patient still needs to have his condition checked by a doctor periodically. This examination is done to ensure that the cancer does not recur.
- Patients whose cancer cannot be cured also need to consult a doctor. Doctors can provide treatment to slow the development of cancer and relieve complaints. This treatment is called palliative medicine.
Cancer Diagnosis and Staging
To diagnose cancer, the doctor will ask about the patient's symptoms and carry out a physical examination. After that, there are several additional tests that the doctor will perform to confirm a cancer diagnosis, namely:
Laboratory examination
- Laboratory tests, such as blood and urine tests, can be done to check for abnormalities in the body. Doctors can also do a tumor marker examination to detect cancer.
Scanning
- This test can be in the form of an X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, or PET scan, to see the condition of the problematic organ.
Biopsy
- In this procedure, the doctor will take a sample of the patient's body tissue suspected of being attacked by a biopsy. A biopsy is the most accurate examination to determine whether the patient has cancer or not.
Based on the results of the examination above, the doctor will then determine the severity (stage) of the cancer. In general, the stages of cancer are divided into stages 1, 2, 3, and 4. The higher the stage of the cancer, the more severe the symptoms of the disease and the less likely it is to recover.
The level of the cancer stage will be determined based on the size of the cancer, whether there is spread of cancer to the surrounding lymph nodes, and how far the cancer has spread to other organs.
Cancer Treatment
The type of treatment that the doctor will choose depends on several things, starting from the type of cancer, the location of the cancer, the stage of the cancer, the patient's general health condition, and the patient's wishes.
Commonly used cancer treatment methods are as follows:
Chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy is done by giving drugs to kill cancer cells.
Operation
- Cancer surgery is done by cutting and removing cancer tissue.
Radiotherapy
- Radiotherapy is done by exposing radiation beams to kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiotherapy, namely radiation from machines outside the body (external radiotherapy) or radiation from implants placed inside the body (brachytherapy).
Bone marrow transplant
- Through this procedure, the patient's bone marrow will be replaced with new bone marrow from the donor so that it can produce new, normal, and cancer-free cells.
Immunotherapy
- Immunotherapy or biologic therapy aims to activate the patient's immune system to fight cancer.
Hormone therapy
- Some types of cancer, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer, are triggered by hormones. Therefore, inhibiting these trigger hormones can stop the growth of cancer cells.
Targeted drug therapy
- Targeted therapy is carried out by giving drugs that can inhibit genetic mutations in cells.
It should be noted that the above cancer treatments can cause various side effects, one of which is a reduced number of white blood cells so that the patient's body is susceptible to infection.
Of more than 200 types of cancer that have been identified, the cancer diagnosed with the greatest frequency in the United States (US) (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) is breast cancer. The next most common calculated as 40,000 cases or more per year (2018) are lung cancer and prostate cancer.
1. Breast cancer
After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in American women. Estimated annual new cases:
- Female: 268,600
- Male: 2,670
Estimated annual deaths:
- Female: 41,760
- Male: 500
5-year survival rate:
- Female: 90 % (2008–2014).
2. Lung cancer (including bronchi)
The second most common cancer, lung cancer, is the leading cause of death from cancer.
To reduce the risk of lung and bronchial cancer, you are advised to stop smoking.
- Estimated annual new cases: 228,150
- Estimated annual deaths: 142,670
- 5-year survival rate: 23 % (2008-2014).
4. Colon and rectal cancer
Colorectal cancer refers to cancer found in the colon or rectum. Together they form the large intestine.
- Estimated annual new cases: 145,600
- Estimated annual deaths: 51,020
- 5-year survival rate: 64 % (2008-2014)
5. Melanoma (skin)
Melanoma is a cancer that starts in the special cells that make up the pigment that gives skin color (melanin). .
Although more common on the skin, melanoma can also form in the eye and other pigmented tissues.
- Estimated annual new cases: 96,480
- Estimated annual deaths: 7,230
- 5-year survival rate: 92 % (2008-2014)
6. Bladder cancer
Bladder cancer usually affects older adults and occurs more often in men than in women.
- Estimated annual new cases: 80,470
- Estimated annual deaths: 17,670
- 5-year survival rate: 77 % (2008-2014)
7. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer that starts in the lymphatic system. It is characterized by tumors that develop from a type of white blood cell known as a lymphocyte.
- Estimated annual new cases: 74,200
- Estimated annual deaths: 19,970
- 5-year survival rate: 71 % (2008-2014)
8. Kidney cancer (renal cell and renal pelvis)
The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma which usually develops in one kidney as a single tumor. Renal pelvic cancer forms in the renal pelvis or ureters, the tubes that carry urine to the bladder from the kidneys.
- Estimated annual new cases: 73,820
- Estimated annual deaths: 14,770
- 5-year survival rate: 75 % (2008-2014)
9. Endometrial cancer
There are two types of uterine cancer. Endometrial cancer is common while uterine sarcoma is rare.
- Estimated annual new cases: 61,880
- Estimated annual deaths: 12,160
- 5-year survival rate: 84 % (2008-2014)
10. Leukemia (all types)
Leukemia is a cancer that originates in the blood-forming tissue of the bone marrow. These cancers are characterized by large numbers of abnormal white blood cells that build up in the blood and bone marrow to a point where they crowd out normal blood cells. This makes it more difficult for the body to distribute oxygen to its tissues, fight infection and control bleeding.
- Estimated annual new cases: 61,780
- Estimated annual deaths: 22,840
- 5-year survival rate: 61.4 % (2008-2014)
11. Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer begins in the pancreas and usually spreads quickly to other nearby organs.
- Estimated annual new cases: 56,770
- Estimated annual deaths: 45,750
- 5-year survival rate: 9 % (2008-2014)
12. Thyroid cancer
While anaplastic thyroid cancer is difficult to cure, follicular, medullary, and the most common type of thyroid cancer, papillary, can usually be treated effectively with positive results.
- Estimated annual new cases: 52,070
- Estimated annual deaths: 2,170
- 5-year survival rate: nearly 100 % (2008-2014)
13. Intrahepatic and hepatic bile duct cancer and hepatoblastoma.
Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma include cirrhosis of the liver and chronic infection with hepatitis B or C.
- Estimated annual new cases: 42,030
- Estimated annual deaths: 31,780
- 5-year survival rate: 18% (2008-2014)
According to the World Health OrganizationTrusted Source, detecting cancer since Early detection can greatly increase the chances of successful treatment.