Cancer
Disease Details
Family Health Simplified
- Description
- Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body.
- Type
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There are multiple types of cancer, including but not limited to:
1. **Carcinomas**: These cancers originate in the epithelial cells that line the organs and tissues (e.g., lung cancer, breast cancer).
2. **Sarcomas**: Arising from connective tissues such as bone, muscle, and fat.
3. **Leukemias**: Cancers of the blood-forming tissues, including bone marrow.
4. **Lymphomas**: Affect the lymphatic system.
5. **Central Nervous System (CNS) Cancers**: Including cancers of the brain and spinal cord.
**Type of Genetic Transmission**:
Most cancers are caused by acquired genetic mutations due to environmental factors, lifestyle, or random errors in DNA replication.
Some cancers, however, have hereditary components and can be transmitted via:
- **Autosomal Dominant Inheritance**: Where a single copy of the mutated gene from one parent can increase the risk of cancer (e.g., BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in breast and ovarian cancer).
- **Multifactorial Inheritance**: A combination of multiple genetic mutations and environmental factors (e.g., colorectal cancer).
Hereditary cancer syndromes include conditions like Lynch syndrome and Li-Fraumeni syndrome, which significantly increase the risk of various cancers. - Signs And Symptoms
- When cancer begins, it produces no symptoms. Signs and symptoms appear as the mass grows or ulcerates. The findings that result depend on cancer's type and location. Few symptoms are specific. Many frequently occur in individuals who have other conditions. Cancer can be difficult to diagnose and can be considered a "great imitator".People may become anxious or depressed post-diagnosis. The risk of suicide in people with cancer is approximately double.
- Prognosis
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Survival rates vary by cancer type and by the stage at which it is diagnosed, ranging from majority survival to complete mortality five years after diagnosis. Once a cancer has metastasized, prognosis normally becomes much worse. About half of patients receiving treatment for invasive cancer (excluding carcinoma in situ and non-melanoma skin cancers) die from that cancer or its treatment. A majority of cancer deaths are due to metastases of the primary tumor.Survival is worse in the developing world, partly because the types of cancer that are most common there are harder to treat than those associated with developed countries.Those who survive cancer develop a second primary cancer at about twice the rate of those never diagnosed. The increased risk is believed to be due to the random chance of developing any cancer, the likelihood of surviving the first cancer, the same risk factors that produced the first cancer, unwanted side effects of treating the first cancer (particularly radiation therapy), and better compliance with screening.Predicting short- or long-term survival depends on many factors. The most important are the cancer type and the patient's age and overall health. Those who are frail with other health problems have lower survival rates than otherwise healthy people. Centenarians are unlikely to survive for five years even if treatment is successful. People who report a higher quality of life tend to survive longer. People with lower quality of life may be affected by depression and other complications and/or disease progression that both impairs quality and quantity of life. Additionally, patients with worse prognoses may be depressed or report poorer quality of life because they perceive that their condition is likely to be fatal.
People with cancer have an increased risk of blood clots in their veins which can be life-threatening. The use of blood thinners such as heparin decrease the risk of blood clots but have not been shown to increase survival in people with cancer. People who take blood thinners also have an increased risk of bleeding.Although extremely rare, some forms of cancer, even from an advanced stage, can heal spontaneously. This phenomenon is known as the spontaneous remission. - Onset
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Onset: Cancer can have a variable onset, often asymptomatic in early stages. Symptoms depend on the type and location of the cancer but may include lumps, unexplained weight loss, abnormal bleeding, persistent cough, or changes in bowel habits.
Nan: Not applicable (nan) likely indicates a missing or non-applicable data point. Please clarify the context if a specific aspect of cancer is being referred to with "nan." - Prevalence
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Cancer refers to a large group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. The prevalence of cancer varies by country, type, and demographic factors, but it is a major health problem worldwide.
- **Global Prevalence**: As of recent estimates, there are tens of millions of people living with cancer globally. The incidence and survival rates depend on the type of cancer, location, and access to healthcare.
- **Common Types**: The most common cancers include breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer.
- **Prevalence in the U.S.**: In the United States, there are over 17 million cancer survivors as of recent data.
- **Trends**: Advances in detection and treatment have improved survival rates for many types of cancer. However, the overall prevalence is increasing partly due to aging populations and lifestyle factors.
For specific prevalence rates, it’s crucial to consult the latest statistics from reliable sources like the World Health Organization (WHO) or national cancer registries. - Epidemiology
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Estimates are that in 2018, 18.1 million new cases of cancer and 9.6 million deaths occur globally. About 20% of males and 17% of females will get cancer at some point in time while 13% of males and 9% of females will die from it.In 2008, approximately 12.7 million cancers were diagnosed (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers and other non-invasive cancers) and in 2010 nearly 7.98 million people died. Cancers account for approximately 16% of deaths. The most common as of 2018 are lung cancer (1.76 million deaths), colorectal cancer (860,000) stomach cancer (780,000), liver cancer (780,000), and breast cancer (620,000). This makes invasive cancer the leading cause of death in the developed world and the second leading in the developing world. Over half of cases occur in the developing world.Deaths from cancer were 5.8 million in 1990. Deaths have been increasing primarily due to longer lifespans and lifestyle changes in the developing world. The most significant risk factor for developing cancer is age. Although it is possible for cancer to strike at any age, most patients with invasive cancer are over 65. According to cancer researcher Robert A. Weinberg, "If we lived long enough, sooner or later we all would get cancer." Some of the association between aging and cancer is attributed to immunosenescence, errors accumulated in DNA over a lifetime and age-related changes in the endocrine system. Aging's effect on cancer is complicated by factors such as DNA damage and inflammation promoting it and factors such as vascular aging and endocrine changes inhibiting it.Some slow-growing cancers are particularly common, but often are not fatal. Autopsy studies in Europe and Asia showed that up to 36% of people have undiagnosed and apparently harmless thyroid cancer at the time of their deaths and that 80% of men develop prostate cancer by age 80. As these cancers do not cause the patient's death, identifying them would have represented overdiagnosis rather than useful medical care.
The three most common childhood cancers are leukemia (34%), brain tumors (23%) and lymphomas (12%). In the United States cancer affects about 1 in 285 children. Rates of childhood cancer increased by 0.6% per year between 1975 and 2002 in the United States and by 1.1% per year between 1978 and 1997 in Europe. Death from childhood cancer decreased by half between 1975 and 2010 in the United States. - Intractability
- Cancer can be intractable, particularly in its advanced stages or when it has metastasized to multiple parts of the body. However, it is not universally intractable; many types of cancer can be treated effectively, especially when detected early. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. The prognosis varies widely depending on the type of cancer, stage at diagnosis, and other individual factors. Advances in medical research continue to improve outcomes and offer hope for better management and potential cures.
- Disease Severity
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Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. The severity of cancer can vary widely depending on several factors:
1. **Type and Location**: The type of cancer and its location in the body significantly impact severity. Some cancers, like pancreatic cancer, tend to be more aggressive, whereas others, like basal cell carcinoma, are generally less severe.
2. **Stage at Diagnosis**: Cancer is often staged from I to IV based on its extent of spread. Early-stage cancers (Stage I) are typically less severe and more treatable, while late-stage cancers (Stage IV) are more severe and harder to treat.
3. **Tumor Grade**: The grade of a tumor, determined by how much cancer cells differ from healthy cells under a microscope, can also affect severity. High-grade tumors are more likely to grow and spread quickly.
4. **Overall Health**: The patient’s overall health and presence of coexisting conditions can influence the severity and prognosis of cancer.
Cancer severity is thus a complex interplay of these factors, and appropriate treatment plans are tailored to each individual based on these variables. - Healthcare Professionals
- Disease Ontology ID - DOID:162
- Pathophysiology
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Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell division and growth, leading to the formation of tumors and potential spread to other parts of the body (metastasis).
**Pathophysiology:**
1. **Genetic Mutations**: Genetic alterations (mutations) in DNA can activate oncogenes (promote cell division) and inactivate tumor suppressor genes (control cell division), leading to uncontrolled cell growth.
2. **Cell Cycle Dysregulation**: The normal checks and balances of the cell cycle become disrupted, allowing cells to proliferate unchecked.
3. **Apoptosis Evasion**: Cancer cells often evade apoptosis (programmed cell death), which would normally remove damaged or unwanted cells.
4. **Angiogenesis**: Tumors stimulate the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) to supply nutrients and oxygen for continued growth.
5. **Immune System Evasion**: Cancer cells can evade detection and destruction by the immune system through various mechanisms, including the expression of immune checkpoint proteins.
6. **Invasion and Metastasis**: Cancer cells can invade surrounding tissues and migrate to distant sites in the body, forming secondary tumors (metastases).
Understanding these processes is crucial for developing targeted cancer therapies and interventions aimed at specific steps of cancer progression. - Carrier Status
- Cancer is not typically described in terms of "carrier status," which is more commonly associated with genetic conditions passed through specific genes, like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia. However, certain genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, can significantly increase an individual's risk of developing specific types of cancer, like breast or ovarian cancer. Genetic testing can identify these mutations to help assess cancer risk.
- Mechanism
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Cancer involves the uncontrolled growth and division of cells. The mechanism typically starts with genetic mutations that disrupt normal cellular function. These mutations can be inherited or induced by environmental factors such as radiation, chemicals, or viruses.
Molecular mechanisms behind cancer include:
1. **Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor Genes**: Oncogenes, when activated by mutations, drive uncontrolled cell growth. Tumor suppressor genes, when inactivated, fail to regulate cell division and apoptosis effectively.
2. **DNA Repair Mechanisms**: Defects in DNA repair genes lead to genomic instability, allowing more mutations to accumulate.
3. **Cell Cycle Regulation**: Mutations in genes that regulate the cell cycle, like p53, can lead to unchecked cell division.
4. **Signal Transduction Pathways**: Aberrations in signaling pathways, such as the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, result in enhanced cell survival and growth.
5. **Epigenetic Changes**: Alterations in DNA methylation and histone modifications can lead to the silencing of tumor suppressor genes or activation of oncogenes.
6. **Angiogenesis**: Tumors may secrete factors like VEGF that stimulate new blood vessel growth, providing nutrients for continued growth.
7. **Immune Evasion**: Cancer cells can express proteins that inhibit the immune response, helping them evade detection and destruction by the body's immune system.
Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted therapies and effective treatment strategies for cancer. - Treatment
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Cancer treatment varies by type and stage of the disease, and commonly includes:
1. Surgery: Removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue.
2. Radiation Therapy: Using high-energy particles or waves to destroy or damage cancer cells.
3. Chemotherapy: Using drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.
4. Immunotherapy: Boosting the body's immune system to fight cancer.
5. Targeted Therapy: Drugs that target specific molecules involved in cancer growth and spread.
6. Hormone Therapy: Used for cancers that are hormone-sensitive, such as breast and prostate cancer.
7. Stem Cell Transplant: Replacing damaged bone marrow with healthy cells.
8. Precision Medicine: Personalized treatment based on genetic analysis of the cancer.
Nanomedicine, a branch of nanotechnology, is also emerging as a promising area for cancer treatment. It involves using nanoparticles to deliver drugs directly to cancer cells, improving the efficacy and reducing side effects of treatments. - Compassionate Use Treatment
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Compassionate use treatment, also known as expanded access, allows patients with serious or life-threatening conditions, such as cancer, to access investigational drugs or treatments outside of clinical trials. These drugs have not yet been approved by regulatory agencies but show promise in treating the disease. This option is considered when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Off-label treatment involves using an approved medication for a purpose that is not specified in the regulatory approval. For cancer, this might include using a drug approved for one type of cancer to treat a different type. Physicians may prescribe off-label treatments based on emerging evidence or specific clinical scenarios to offer potential benefits not yet fully explored in regulatory frameworks.
Experimental treatments refer to new therapies or drugs that are typically being studied in clinical trials. These methods are not yet proven to be effective and safe by regulatory authorities but are under investigation. Patients may enroll in clinical trials to gain access to these potentially cutting-edge treatments and contribute to the broader understanding of the disease and its management. - Lifestyle Recommendations
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For cancer prevention and management, some general lifestyle recommendations include:
1. **Diet:**
- Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Limit consumption of red meats, processed meats, and high-fat foods.
- Avoid excessive intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates.
2. **Exercise:**
- Engage in regular physical activity, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week.
- Include strength training exercises at least twice a week.
3. **Weight Management:**
- Maintain a healthy weight through a combination of diet and exercise.
4. **Avoid Tobacco:**
- Do not smoke or use any other form of tobacco. Seek help to quit if you are currently using tobacco products.
5. **Limit Alcohol Consumption:**
- If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. This generally means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
6. **Sun Protection:**
- Protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun by using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade.
7. **Regular Screenings:**
- Participate in recommended cancer screening tests like mammograms, colonoscopies, and Pap smears, based on your age and risk factors.
8. **Vaccinations:**
- Get vaccinated against viruses that can cause cancer, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B.
9. **Avoid Risky Behaviors:**
- Practice safe sex and avoid sharing needles to reduce the risk of infections that can lead to cancer.
10. **Reduce Exposure to Carcinogens:**
- Limit exposure to environmental carcinogens such as radiation and harmful chemicals. Follow safety guidelines at work and home.
Implementing these lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer and contribute to overall health. - Medication
- Medications can be used to prevent cancer in a few circumstances. In the general population, NSAIDs reduce the risk of colorectal cancer; however, due to cardiovascular and gastrointestinal side effects, they cause overall harm when used for prevention. Aspirin has been found to reduce the risk of death from cancer by about 7%. COX-2 inhibitors may decrease the rate of polyp formation in people with familial adenomatous polyposis; however, it is associated with the same adverse effects as NSAIDs. Daily use of tamoxifen or raloxifene reduce the risk of breast cancer in high-risk women. The benefit versus harm for 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor such as finasteride is not clear.Vitamin supplementation does not appear to be effective at preventing cancer. While low blood levels of vitamin D are correlated with increased cancer risk, whether this relationship is causal and vitamin D supplementation is protective is not determined. One 2014 review found that supplements had no significant effect on cancer risk. Another 2014 review concluded that vitamin D3 may decrease the risk of death from cancer (one fewer death in 150 people treated over 5 years), but concerns with the quality of the data were noted.Beta-Carotene supplementation increases lung cancer rates in those who are high risk. Folic acid supplementation is not effective in preventing colon cancer and may increase colon polyps. Selenium supplementation has not been shown to reduce the risk of cancer.
- Repurposable Drugs
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Repurposable drugs for cancer are medications that were originally developed and approved for other conditions but have shown potential benefits in treating various types of cancer. Examples include:
1. **Metformin**: Originally used for type 2 diabetes, it has shown promise in inhibiting cancer cell growth.
2. **Aspirin**: Commonly used as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory, it has potential in reducing the risk of certain cancers and may inhibit tumor growth.
3. **Thalidomide**: Initially marketed as a sedative, it is now used to treat multiple myeloma due to its anti-angiogenic properties.
4. **Propranolol**: A beta-blocker for hypertension that has shown potential in reducing cancer metastasis and improving survival rates.
5. **Itraconazole**: An antifungal medication that has demonstrated anti-cancer properties by inhibiting angiogenesis and hedgehog signaling pathways.
Research continues to explore these and other drugs for their efficacy and safety in cancer treatment. - Metabolites
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Cancer metabolism is characterized by altered metabolic pathways that support rapid cell growth and proliferation. Metabolites are small molecules involved in these pathways, which cancer cells reprogram to meet their energy and biosynthetic needs. Examples include increased glucose uptake and lactate production through aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect), and elevated glutamine metabolism. Understanding these metabolites is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
In nanotechnology, nanoparticles are being explored for cancer diagnosis and therapy. They can improve drug delivery by targeting cancer cells specifically while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Nanoparticles can also be used as contrast agents in imaging, facilitating earlier and more precise detection of tumors. - Nutraceuticals
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Nutraceuticals are substances derived from food sources with extra health benefits in addition to their basic nutritional value. Some nutraceuticals have been studied for their potential role in cancer prevention and treatment, including antioxidants, certain vitamins, polyphenols, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Nanotechnology in cancer (often referred to as "nanomedicine") involves the design and use of nanoscale materials to diagnose, monitor, and treat cancer more effectively. Nanoparticles can be engineered to deliver drugs directly to cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissue and enhancing the efficacy of the treatment. - Peptides
- Peptides are short chains of amino acids that have potential applications in cancer treatment. They can be used for targeted drug delivery, as they can bind specifically to cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy cells. Nanotechnology (nanotech) in cancer involves the use of nanoparticles for various purposes, such as improving imaging, diagnostics, and delivering therapeutics more precisely to tumor sites. Combining peptides with nanotechnology can enhance the effectiveness and specificity of cancer therapies.