Cancer
Jaya Manikandan S
XII A
Contents
1. Intro to cancer
2. What is the diff b/w a normal cell and a cancerous cell?
2.Types of cancer
3. Symptoms of cancer
4. Causes of cancer
5.Risk factor
6. How do they diagnose?
7. Stages of cancer
8.Treatment
9. Preventions
10.Case study
12.Conclusion
11. Bibliography
Intro to Cancer
Cancer is a large group of diseases with one thing in common. It describes
the disease that results when cellular changes cause the uncontrolled
growth and division of cells.Some types of cancer cause rapid cell growth,
while others cause cells to grow and divide at a slower rate. Cancerous
cells lack the components that instruct them to stop dividing and to die.
As a result, they build up in the body, using oxygen and nutrients that
would usually nourish other cells. Cancerous cells can form tumors,
impair the immune system and cause other changes that prevent the body
from functioning regularly. Cancerous cells may appear in one area, then
spread via the lymph nodes. These are clusters of immune cells located
throughout the body.
Doctors classify cancer by:
its location in the body
the tissues that it forms in
A person can also have more than one type of cancer at a time.
What is the difference between a normal cell and a
cancerous cell?
Normally, cells follow instructions provided by genes. Genes set down
rules for cells to follow, such as when to start and stop growing.
Cancerous cells ignore the rules that normal cells follow:
Normal cells divide and multiply in a controlled manner.
Cancerous cells multiply uncontrollably
Normal cells are programmed to die (apoptosis). Cancerous cells
ignore those directions.
Normal cells for solid organs stay put. All cancerous cells are able
to move around.
Normal cells don’t grow as fast as cancerous cells.
Types
appendix cancer esophageal cancer
bladder cancer heart cancer
bone cancer gallbladder cancer
brain cancer kidney or renal cancer
breast cancer laryngeal cancer
cervical cancer leukemia
colon or colorectal cancer lip cancer
duodenal cancer liver cancer
ear cancer lung cancer
endometrial cancer lymphoma
mesothelioma
skin cancer
myeloma
small intestine cancer
oral cancers
spleen cancer
ovarian cancer
stomach or gastric cancer
pancreatic cancer
testicular cancer
penile cancer
thyroid cancer
prostate cancer
uterine cancer
rectal cancer
The three most common cancers in men, women, and children are as
follows:
Men: Prostate, lung, and colorectal
Women: Breast, lung, and colorectal
Children: Leukemia, brain tumors, and lymphoma
Symptoms of cancer
Unexplained weight loss.
Chronic tiredness.
Persistent pain.
Fever that occurs mostly at night.
Skin changes, particularly moles that change shape and size or new
moles.
Left untreated, cancer may cause additional symptoms, including:
Bruising or bleeding more easily.
Lumps or bumps under your skin that don’t go away.
Difficulty breathing.
Difficulty swallowing.
What causes cancer?
The main cause of cancer is mutations, or changes to the DNA in your
cells. Genetic mutations can be inherited. They can also occur after birth
as a result of environmental forces.These external causes, called
carcinogens, can include:
physical carcinogens like radiation and ultraviolet (UV) light
chemical carcinogens like cigarette smoke, asbestos, alcohol, air
pollution, and contaminated food and drinking water
biological carcinogens like viruses, bacteria, and parasites
Risk Factors
Modifiable Risks
1. Tobacco Use: Smoking and chewing tobacco are linked to lung,
throat, and mouth cancers. Avoidance can significantly lower risks.
2. Diet and Weight: Poor nutrition, obesity, and high-fat diets increase
risks for cancers like breast and colorectal. A diet rich in fruits,
vegetables, and whole grains can help.
3. Physical Inactivity: Regular exercise reduces the risk by balancing
hormones and preventing obesity.
4. Alcohol: Chronic alcohol use increases risks for liver, breast, and
mouth cancers. Moderation is key.
5. UV Exposure: Sunlight and tanning beds cause skin cancers like
melanoma. Use sunscreen and protective clothing.
6. Infections: Viruses like HPV and Hepatitis B/C are preventable
through vaccines.
7. Carcinogens: Workplace chemicals (asbestos, benzene) and
environmental pollutants (air pollution, radon) can lead to cancer;
minimize exposure.
Non-Modifiable Risks
o Age: Cancer is more common with aging due to accumulated
genetic damage.
o Genetics: Inherited mutations (e.g., BRCA1/2) increase
susceptibility to breast or ovarian cancer. Early genetic testing
and preventive measures can help.
o Gender: Some cancers (prostate, breast) are gender-specific,
requiring targeted screenings.
o Immune Suppression: Weakened immunity from conditions
like HIV or certain medications increases risks.
How do healthcare providers diagnose cancer?
Blood test
Complete blood count (CBC)
Tumor markers
Blood protein test
Circulating tumor cell tests
Imaging test
Computed tomography scan (CT)
X rays
Positron emission test scan
Magnetic reasonance imaging (MRI)
Iodine meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIGB)
Biopsy
Needle biopsy
Skin biopsy
Bone marrow biopsy
Endoscopic or laparoscopic biopsy
Excisional or incisional biopsy
Perioperative biopsy
The four stages of cancer?
Stage I: The cancer is localized to a small area and hasn’t spread to lymph
nodes or other tissues.
Stage II: The cancer has grown, but it hasn’t spread.
Stage III: The cancer has grown larger and has possibly spread to lymph
nodes or other tissues.
Stage IV: The cancer has spread to other organs or areas of your body.
This stage is also referred to as metastatic or advanced cancer.
Treatment for cancer
Below are examples of approaches to cancer treatment:
Chemotherapy aims to kill cancerous cells with medications that target
rapidly dividing cells. The drugs can also help shrink tumors, but the side
effects can be severe.
Hormone therapy involves taking medications that change how certain
hormones work or interfere with the body’s ability to produce them.
When hormones play a significant role, as with prostate and breast
cancers, this is a common approach.
Immunotherapy uses medications and other treatments to boost the
immune system and encourage it to fight cancerous cells. Two examples
of these treatments are checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell transfer.
Precision medicine, or personalized medicine, is a newer, developing
approach. It involves using genetic testing to determine the best
treatments for a person’s particular presentation of cancer. Researchers
have yet to show that it can effectively treat all types of cancer, however.
Radiation therapy uses high-dose radiation to kill cancerous cells. Also, a
doctor may recommend using radiation to shrink a tumor before surgery
or reduce tumor-related symptoms.
Stem cell transplant can be especially beneficial for people with blood-
related cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma. It involves removing
cells, such as red or white blood cells, that chemotherapy or radiation has
destroyed. Lab technicians then strengthen the cells and put them back
into the body.
Surgery is often a part of a treatment plan when a person has a cancerous
tumor. Also, a surgeon may remove lymph nodes to reduce or prevent
the disease’s spread.
Targeted therapies perform functions within cancerous cells to prevent
them from multiplying. They can also boost the immune system. Two
examples of these therapies are small-molecule drugs and monoclonal
antibodies.
Preventions
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 a moderate body weight and BMI
doing regular moderate physical activity for 150 to 300
minutesTrusted Source 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
Case study
Patient details
1. Name : XXXXXX
2. Gender :female
3. Age : 18 years
Medical history
mild asthma, no history about cancer in family
Early symptoms
2 discrete episodes of visible haematuria over a 2 week period.
She also had some non-specific intermittent abdominal pains at the
time, which she had not likened to menstrual type period pain.
On examinations
Physical examination was unremarkable
The GP sent the patient for a urinary tract ultrasound scan which
reported “an echodensepolypous lesion present on the right side of
the bladder wall. As is routine in the NHS for suspected cancer, the
patient was seen within 2 weeks of referral by a urologist.
A staging CT urogram showed no evidence of any upper tract
abnormality, lymph nodes or metastases.
other biopsies came back negative
Diagnosis
treated with a course of intravesical mitomycin C.
In conclusion,
Cancer remains one of the most significant health challenges
globally, with its complex origins rooted in genetic, environmental, and
lifestyle factors. Through this investigatory project, we have explored the
underlying causes, risk factors, types, and the advancements in its
diagnosis and treatment. The findings emphasize the importance of early
detection, preventive measures, and lifestyle modifications to mitigate
cancer risks.
Additionally, research in targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and
early diagnostic tools offers hope for improved outcomes and quality of
life for patients. Awareness and education play a crucial role in
encouraging regular screenings and adopting healthy habits. With
continued efforts in research, public health initiatives, and individual
responsibility, the burden of cancer can be significantly reduced, paving
the way for a healthier future.
Bibliography
https://www.healthline.com/
https://www.britannica.com/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/
www.medicalnewstoday.com
www.medicinenet.com
