Cancer – What You Need to Know
Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow and spread in the body. These tumors can be solid (a lump or mass) or fluid-filled (blood cancers).
Normal cells normally divide and die in an orderly way, replacing old or damaged cells with new ones. They also make and break down proteins that help keep your body healthy and strong.
Genetic factors and lifestyle habits, such as smoking, can increase the risk of developing cancer. These changes in genes can cause cells to grow and divide uncontrollably or to not die at the right time.
Mutations in a person’s genes can lead to cancer by disrupting how the cells grow and divide or by changing how they repair their DNA. These mutations can occur over a long period of time, sometimes years, or they can happen suddenly.
Changes in a person’s genes can also affect how well the body’s immune system fights cancer. These changes can be caused by genes passed down through the family or by environmental exposures, such as ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Most people who have cancer will need treatment to kill or slow the growth of the tumor and/or prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body. Your doctor will use chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, or other treatments to try to shrink the tumor and relieve your symptoms.
Chemotherapy is a type of medicine that kills cancer cells by stopping their growth and division. It is usually given in a series of sessions. Often, the treatment is delivered through a special tube called a catheter placed under the skin into a larger blood vessel in the upper chest. This allows the drugs to be delivered in smaller doses, reducing side effects.
Radiation is another type of medicine that kills cancer cells by damaging their DNA. It is usually used to kill cancer in its early stages, before it can spread. It may also be used to kill cancer that has already spread to other parts of the body.
Bone marrow transplant is another type of cancer treatment that uses your own stem cells to replace damaged or destroyed stem cells. These transplants can be done either autologous or allogeneic.
Your doctors will decide which type of transplant is right for you based on the tumor type, the location of the cancer, and your medical history. Your doctor will also ask if you have other health problems or allergies that may affect your response to treatment.
You will need to follow your doctor’s instructions closely during and after transplant. This is important to reduce the chance of serious complications, such as infections or organ failure.
If you have a serious or life-threatening infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to stop it from spreading to your other organs. These medicines are usually given with a drug that helps the immune system work better, such as an immunosuppressant.
In some cases, your doctor might also recommend that you take steroids to help the immune system fight the infection. These steroids can lower your blood pressure, improve your breathing, and treat swelling of the feet or legs. They can also help you feel more comfortable.
Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow and spread in the body. These tumors can be solid (a lump or mass) or fluid-filled (blood cancers). Normal cells normally divide and die in an orderly way, replacing old or damaged cells with new ones. They also make and break down proteins that help keep your body healthy and strong. Genetic factors and lifestyle habits, such as smoking, can increase the risk of developing cancer. These changes in genes can cause cells to grow and divide uncontrollably or to not die at the right time. Mutations in a person’s genes can lead to cancer by disrupting how the cells grow and divide or by changing how they repair their DNA. These mutations can occur over a long period of time, sometimes years, or they can happen suddenly. Changes in a person’s genes can also affect how well the body’s immune system fights cancer. These changes can be caused by genes passed down through the family or by environmental exposures, such as ultraviolet rays from the sun. Most people who have cancer will need treatment to kill or slow the growth of the tumor and/or prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body. Your doctor will use chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, or other treatments to try to shrink the tumor and relieve your symptoms. Chemotherapy is a type of medicine that kills cancer cells by stopping their growth and division. It is usually given in a series of sessions. Often, the treatment is delivered through a special tube called a catheter placed under the skin into a larger blood vessel in the upper chest. This allows the drugs to be delivered in smaller doses, reducing side effects. Radiation is another type of medicine that kills cancer cells by damaging their DNA. It is usually used to kill cancer in its early stages, before it can spread. It may also be used to kill cancer that has already spread to other parts of the body. Bone marrow transplant is another type of cancer treatment that uses your own stem cells to replace damaged or destroyed stem cells. These transplants can be done either autologous or allogeneic. Your doctors will decide which type of transplant is right for you based on the tumor type, the location of the cancer, and your medical history. Your doctor will also ask if you have other health problems or allergies that may affect your response to treatment. You will need to follow your doctor’s instructions closely during and after transplant. This is important to reduce the chance of serious complications, such as infections or organ failure. If you have a serious or life-threatening infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to stop it from spreading to your other organs. These medicines are usually given with a drug that helps the immune system work better, such as an immunosuppressant. In some cases, your doctor might also recommend that you take steroids to help the immune system fight the infection. These steroids can lower your blood pressure, improve your breathing, and treat swelling of the feet or legs. They can also help you feel more comfortable.