Cancer is an abnormal growth of a cell or an organ due to a specific stimulus(carcinogen). This growth is an uncoordinated, purposeless one, which continues to grow even after the cessation or withdrawal of the stimulus.

Cancer can originate from any organ or part of the body. The natural behaviour of a particular cancer depends upon the site of involvement and the histopathological type of the cancer. Some are very aggressive and results of treatment are very poor.

As Cancer grows it invades the surrounding structures and interferes with the local function. It spreads into the draining lymph nodes through the lymphatic. Through the blood streams it spreads to the others parts of the body. The common organs of distant metastasis are lung, liver, bones, brain etc.

Exact cause of cancer is not yet known. However, there are certain risk factors, which may cause this disease in individual prone to develop cancer. Among the common factors, chemicals are one of the important causes. These chemicals may be in the form of Tobacco or chemicals present in food, air, water, etc. These chemicals are known as carcinogens. Till now about 60 agents have been identified. Some Common Risk factors for Cancer are,

Tobacco

Smoking: Cigarette, Bidi, Cigar, Hukka, Others.

Smokeless: Zarda, Gutka, Khaini, Snuff, etc.

Alcohol

Infections(Viruses, parasites, bacteria)

Electromagnetic Radiation(ionising radiation, ultraviolet rays, others)

Diet(dietary carcinogens)

Occupational exposure to carcinogens

Pollution(air/water/food)

Reproductive hormones

In majority of Indian patients, cancer can definitely be prevented. About 50% cancer are Tobacco related e.g. Lung cancer, Oral cancer(Cancer of Mouth), Laryngeal Cancer(voice box), Oesophageal Cancer(Food pipe), etc. and they can be prevented to a large extent by avoiding intake of Tobacco. Certain other Cancers like bowel Cancers can also be prevented by Dietary habits.

The signs and symptoms of cancer depend upon the body part affected by the disease. The primary tumour or the spread of tumour to lymph nodes or distant parts of the body may cause symptoms. In general, cancer has a tendency to start as a nodule or mass of tissue, which keeps on growing. The growth rate of cancers is variable with some cancers growing very rapidly and others growing slowly. With further growth, cancers, which affect external or internal body surfaces, can form wounds or ulcers leading to dirty discharge, bleeding etc. Common symptoms of cancer can be described as follows.

Lump or swelling:

A sore that doesn't heal:

Recent change in a wart/mole:

Unusual bleeding or discharge:

Changes in bladder or bowel habits:

Nagging cough or hoarseness:

Difficulty in swallowing or dyspepsia:

7. Is Cancer Curable?

Yes, Cancer is curable if detected early. The results of treatment in stage I and stage II (early stage Cancer) are about 80%. In late stage diseases (Stage III & Stage IV) the results are very poor. (Less than 20%). In India, about 70% patients present in advanced stage diseases and hence difficult to treat.

Basically, there are three main modalitites of cancer treatment- Surgery, Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy(Drugs). The treatment of cancer is described as multimodality approach as a large number of patients need to be treated with a combination of the approaches available. Thus some patients may need only one modality of treatment, some need a combination of two modalities and some need to be treated with all three modalities to achieve the best results. To decide the best treatment for a given patient, initial testing is done to make the diagnosis (diagnostic investigations) and decide the stage of disease (Staging investigations). After the initial treatment plan, the treatment is started. The progress of treatment and response of disease is assessed from time to time. A review of the progress is made in subsequent tumour board meetings to decide whether any change in the treatment plan is required or not. Once the planned treatment is completed, cancer patients need regular follow-up.