Cancer – A general term for more than 250 diseases

characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled growth of

cells.

Cancer cells grow and divide without control or order, and they do not die when they should. As a result, they often form a mass of tissue called a tumor.

Tumor – Mass of built-up tissue, when cell development is not orderly and controlled, abnormal growth occurs

Benign tumor- non-cancerous growth that does not spread to other parts of the body- it can be treated with removal and not likely to recur

Malignant tumor- a growth of cancer cells-invades neighboring tissues and organs spreads to other parts of the body through blood or lymph to start new cancers in other parts of the body

As the tumor grows, it can invade nearby tissues and organs.

The spread of cancer is called metastasis

Cancer cells break away from the tumor and enter the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. By moving through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, cancer cells can spread from the primary site to lymph nodes or to other organs, where they may form new tumors.

Change in bowel or bladder habitsA sore that doesn’t healUnusual bleeding or dischargeThickening or a lump anywhere in the body

Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing

Obvious change in a wart or moleNagging cough or hoarseness

Identify Cancer StagesExams and tests are performed to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. It is important to know the stage of the disease in order to plan the best treatment.

Common Elements Considered in the staging system:

Site of the primary tumor.Tumor size and number of tumors.Lymph node involvement (spread of

cancer into lymph nodes).Cell type and tumor grade (how

closely the cancer resembles normal tissue cells)

The presence or absence of metastasis.

StagesStage 0 Carcinoma in situ.

Stage I, Stage II, and Stage III Higher numbers indicate more extensive disease: Larger tumor size and/or spread of the cancer beyond the organ in which it first developed to nearby lymph nodes and/or organs adjacent to the location of the primary tumor.

Stage IV The cancer has spread to another organ(s).

GENERAL CANCER TERMSCarcinomas – Cancer that begins in

the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs

Sarcomas –A cancer of the bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue.

MelanomaMalignant tumor of melanocytes which

produce the coloring substance of the skin

Symptoms-Darkening or change in color, or increase in size of a mole, may begin as a new mole like growth usually blackish or brown

LeukemiaA disorder in blood cell production in which

abnormal white blood cells accumulate in the blood and bone marrow

Symptoms- the lymph nodes, spleen and liver become in-filtered with white blood cells and become enlarged. Bone pain, paleness, tendency to bleed or bruise easy, fatigue, and frequent infections

Breast CancerCancer that forms in tissues of the breast,

usually the ducts and lobules. It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

Symptoms: A lump or thickening in or near the breast; a change in the size or shape of the breast; a nipple turned inward into the breast; discharge from the nipple; scaly, red, or swollen skin on the breast.

Prostate CancerCancer that forms in tissues of the prostate.

Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men. 

A person with prostate cancer may not have any symptoms. If they do have symptoms the common symptoms include: urinary problems; blood in the urine or semen; frequent pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.

Bone cancer (sarcomas)- tumor can appears in bone around knee and joints

Four leading cancer killersMale Females1. Lung 1. Lung2. Prostate 2.

Breast3. Colon 3.

Colon4. Pancreas 4.

Ovarian

Three main treatments for cancer

1) Surgery2) Radiation therapy3) Chemotherapy

Radiation attacking cancer cells with rays from cobalt, radium or other radioactive substances usually done in a series

Chemotherapy – very powerful drugs that kill cells in the system and causes patients to feel sick