Cancer


Pancreatic cancer cells

Cancer also known as a malignant tumor or malignant neoplasm is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Not all tumors are cancerous; benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Possible signs and symptoms include: a new lump, abnormal bleeding, a prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a change in bowel movements, among others. While these symptoms may indicate cancer, they may also occur due to other issues. There are over 100 different known cancers that affect humans. Cancer is not a single disease with a single cause and a single type of treatment. There are more than 200 different types of cancer, each with its own name and treatment. Although cells in different parts of the body may look and work differently, most repair and reproduce themselves in the same way. Normally, cells divide in an orderly and controlled way. But if for some reason the process gets out of control, the cells carry on dividing and develop into a lump called a tumor. Tumors are either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Doctors can tell if a tumor is benign or malignant by removing a piece of tissue (biopsy) and examining a small sample of cells under a microscope. The duration and choice of treatment differs from case to case and subsequently the cost also varies. The treatment can range from 10000rs to 10 lakhs depending on the drug being used and duration.


Signs and symptoms


Possible signs and symptoms include :

  • Lump or mass in the body which was not there before
  • Abnormal bleeding
  • Prolonged cough
  • Unexplained weight loss and tiredness
  • Change in bowel movements
  • Change in appearance of moles or sudden appearance of new moles

While these symptoms may indicate cancer, they may also occur due to other issues. But these signs indicate that medical intervention is warranted at the earliest.

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