A Cancer is defined as an abnormal mass of tissue, growth of which is uncoordinated and exceeds that of normal tissue which persists even after cessation of the stimuli which provoked it. The main hallmarks of cancer are that it is purposeless, it preys on its host and it is autonomous.
The biology of Cancer growth are:
- Self sustained growth signals
- Insensitivity to inhibitory growth signals: Normal cells respond tumour suppressor genes.
- Limitless growth potential: It does not stop growing unlike normal cells.
- Evasion of apoptosis (programmed cell death): Normal cells have a fixed life-span.
- Ability to metastasise and invade
- Ability to produce own blood supply (angiogenesis)
The common causes of cancer can be divided into:
- Radiation eg UV light, ionising radiation, nuclear radiation exposure
- Infection eg H.Pylori (stomach cancer), schistosomiasis (bladder cancer), Hepatitis B & C (liver cancer)
- Genetic abnormalites eg Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Li Fraumeni Syndrome
- Chemicals eg aniline dye (bladder cancer), cigarette smoking
- Others eg diet, chronic irritation (Marjolin's ulcer)
Treatment options for Cancers include:
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
- Hormonal Therapy
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
Monday, October 12, 2009
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