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Cancer results from abnormal and excessive cell growth and has many varieties. Not all cancers give rise to a disease and not everyone is equally dangerous. A benign tumor does not metastasize and does not penetrate the adjacent tissues. On the other hand, a malignant tumor penetrates into tissues and attacks other organs.
We say:benign tumor ,malignant tumorbut do we know the difference? When a cell begins to divide faster than the body's needs, or does not die in its proper time, more cells may arise that are similar in nature to the parent cell, but they will not be built properly. Over time, such cells may form a formation which is the result of an excessive increase in the number of cells. This is what cancer is.
All cancers have one thing in common: pathologically changed cells begin to multiply uncontrollably over time. Even when the cause of it has disappeared, the process continues. When we find out that we have contracted cancer, we want to know what it is - benign or malignant - as soon as possible. Specialists also use these terms because the therapy and prognosis depend on it. It is important to determine the stage of the neoplastic disease in the selection of the treatment method. Each one rank (rank) less is 25 percent. more chances of recovery. And so, the least advanced disease is grade "0", and the most advanced - grade "IV".
Benign or malignant neoplasm?
A benign tumoris formed when the growing cells form a single lump that gradually grows in size and displaces the surrounding tissues; it is usually encapsulated and non-metastatic. Such changes can occur anywhere in the body. They are e.g. lipomas, fibroadenomas, fibroids.
Malignant neoplasmgrows, infiltrating. This means that it does not push the surrounding tissue apart, but penetrates between the cells of normal tissue. There is no clear line between damaged and he althy tissues. It can also appear in organs distant from the main focus of the disease. Many cancers are more likely to have metastases in the lymph nodes near the primary tumor site. Malignant tumor cells may travel with blood or lymph.
Where does a malignant tumor form?
Malignant neoplasms - depending onplaces of their origin - is divided into four basic groups.
- Cancers: neoplasms of epithelial tissue
They usually develop in people over 50 years of age. They are formed from the cells of the epithelial tissue. The epithelium separates the external environment from the inside of our body - it builds the skin, mucosa, lining the digestive tract, respiratory and urinary systems. There is, among others in the mammary glands, thyroid gland, salivary glands, pancreas, kidneys, liver. And everywhere,rakcan start to develop. Over time, it metastasizes, usually first to the nearest lymph nodes, and then to distant organs with blood. Lymph node metastases do not diminish the chances of a cure.
Treatment: Usually it starts with surgery, i.e. removal of the tumor. The treatment process is continued with chemotherapy. The prognosis is different and depends on the degree of malignancy and the stage of the disease. Pancreatic cancer is particularly difficult.
- Sarcomas: connective tissue neoplasms
They do not occur often, they usually affect young people and children. There are bone sarcomas (formed in bone or cartilage) and soft tissue sarcomas (formed in adipose, muscle, fibrous tissue). Most of the latter attack the body very aggressively. It quickly spreads to distant organs, especially the lungs.
Treatment: Soft tissue sarcomas are treated surgically. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are used as supportive treatments. In the treatment of bone sarcomas, the lesion is excised or combined with surgery and chemotherapy. Some types of cancer, such as Ewing's sarcoma, are treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- Leukemias: tumors of the hematopoietic system
They are characterized by an abnormal growth of white blood cells. There are, among others, myeloid and lymphatic leukemias. Myeloid leukemia occurs when the myeloid tissue overgrows, and lymphocytic leukemia occurs when the disease takes place in the lymph tissue.
Treatment: It consists in the use of radiotherapy and administration of a combination of various drugs, blood transfusion, the patient's intake of anti-anemic preparations (e.g. iron, copper) and the use of radioactive preparations of phosphorus and nitrogen mustard. In aleukemic leukemia, the blood picture is normal, but the spleen and lymph nodes are significantly enlarged. Acute leukemia can initially resemble an acute infectious disease. Many sores appear in the mouth and throat. The liver and spleen are slightly enlarged, and the lymph nodes, especially the submaxillary and cervical,they are growing rapidly. It is treated with hormonal preparations and drugs from the group of folic acid antagonists. Multiple myeloma, which grows from the cells of the marrow, also belongs to the same group as leukemia. Treatment is based on the use of appropriately selected chemotherapy. If leukemia neoplasms fail to undergo any treatment, the only salvation for the patient is to perform a bone marrow transplant.
- Lymphomas: cancers of the lymphatic system
It is a group of malignant neoplasms originating in the lymphatic (or lymphatic) system. The lymphatic organs that make up the lymphatic system include: the spleen, nasal and pharyngeal lymphatic tissue, as well as the gastrointestinal tract, and, first of all, the lymph nodes. These are where cancer can develop - lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease. The first symptom of the disease may be enlarged lymph nodes, a tumor in the area of e.g. the tonsil or tumors in the abdominal cavity. Lymphomas attack young people, but also people over 60. Both lymphomas and Hodgkin's disease fall into many subtypes that have different sensitivities to treatment and give different chances of recovery.
Treatment: Lymphomas and Hodgkin's lymphomas are treated with chemotherapy, often very aggressive. Sometimes a bone marrow transplant is also necessary to save a life. Sometimes chemotherapy is assisted by radiation therapy.
Important7 warning signs
Cancer development is a long process; a tumor with a diameter of 1 cm takes about 5 years to develop. They may indicate neoplastic disease:
- appearance of a lump or thickening on the skin, lip, tongue;
- change in shape, color and size of the nipples;
- unusual discharge or bleeding from your body's natural orifices or nipples;
- appearance of ulcers or difficult-to-heal wounds;
- hoarseness or cough for no reason, e.g. colds;
- urination and stool disorders;
- chronic digestive disorders, difficulty swallowing, gas and bloating.