Nouncancer (plural cancers)
Synonyms
HyponymsDerived termstypes of cancer
Related termsFrom Wiktionary under the GNU Free Documentation License. Cancer /ˈkænsər/ ( listen) (medical term: malignant neoplasm) is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth (division beyond the normal limits), invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues), and sometimes metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood). These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, and do not invade or metastasize. Most cancers form a tumor but some, like leukemia, do not. The branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer is oncology. Cancer affects people at all ages with the risk for most types increasing with age. Cancer caused about 13% of all human deaths in 2007 (7.6 million). Cancers are caused by abnormalities in the genetic material of the transformed cells. These abnormalities may be due to the effects of carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke, radiation, chemicals, or infectious agents. Other cancer-promoting genetic abnormalities may randomly occur through errors in DNA replication, or are inherited, and thus present in all cells from birth. The heritability of cancers is usually affected by complex interactions between carcinogens and the host's genome. Genetic abnormalities found in cancer typically affect two general classes of genes. Cancer-promoting oncogenes are typically activated in cancer cells, giving those cells new properties, such as hyperactive growth and division, protection against programmed cell death, loss of respect for normal tissue boundaries, and the ability to become established in diverse tissue environments. Tumor suppressor genes are then inactivated in cancer cells, resulting in the loss of normal functions in those cells, such as accurate DNA replication, control over the cell cycle, orientation and adhesion within tissues, and interaction with protective cells of the immune system. Definitive diagnosis requires the histologic examination of a biopsy specimen, although the initial indication of malignancy can be symptomatic or radiographic imaging abnormalities. Most cancers can be treated and some forced into remission, depending on the specific type, location, and stage. Once diagnosed, cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As research develops, treatments are becoming more specific for different varieties of cancer. There has been significant progress in the development of targeted therapy drugs that act specifically on detectable molecular abnormalities in certain tumors, and which minimize damage to normal cells. The prognosis of cancer patients is most influenced by the type of cancer, as well as the stage, or extent of the disease. In addition, histologic grading and the presence of specific molecular markers can also be useful in establishing prognosis, as well as in determining individual treatments. From Wikipedia under the
GNU Free Documentation License  nejm.org Finn, OJ, Edwards, RP Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:56:29 GM Editorial from The New England Journal of Medicine Human Papillomavirus Vaccine for . Cancer. Prevention.  theolympian.com unknown Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:30:00 GM The Fred Hutchinson . Cancer. Research Center has picked a new leader: an internationally known expert in virology, immunology and vaccine research.  healthnew.biz admin Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:54:11 GM Learn how to perform the testicular self exam in this visual demonstration with expert . cancer. detection and prevention tips in. From Google Blog Search: "cancer" Cancer is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth. Sourced
External linksWikipedia has an article about: Cancer Look up cancer in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Category: ScienceFrom Wikiquote under the GNU Free Documentation License.  cbsnews.com Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:31:30 GMT+00:00 , Sentenced To 3 1/2 Years In Prison CBS News (CBS/AP) A Chattanooga woman was sentenced to 42 months in prison after she swindled friends, co-workers and cancer support groups out of $54000 in her ... Woman sentenced to prison for faking breast cancer The Associated Press Keele Maynor who Faked Breast Cancer to Repay Money, Sentenced eMaxHealth Keele Maynor Going To Prison For Faking Breast Cancer CNM News Network Health Related Infos (blog) - UPI.com - Chattanooga Times Free Press  sify.com Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:32:43 GMT+00:00 severity Sify The study measured epigenetic profiles in stage I to IV breast tumors from 162 women enrolled in the Pathways Study, a study of breast cancer survivorship ...  washingtonpost.com Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:46:37 GMT+00:00 , Christina Applegate is engaged and expecting Washington Post She divorced "That Thing You Do" actor Jonathan Schaech in 2007 and was diagnosed with breast cancer the next year. She underwent a double mastectomy. But! ... Breast cancer survivor Christina Applegate is having a baby Daily Mail Christina Applegate announces pregnancy after surviving breast cancer The Survivors Club Christina Applegate Pregnant After Surviving Breast Cancer eMaxHealth The Associated Press - Hot Momma Celebrity Gossip (blog) - The Press Association From Google News Search: "cancer"  cancerinstitute.org.au 576px x 1024px | 103.30kB [source page] AND in the long run it might give you cancer Would you want to look like this http www cancerinstitute org au cancer Or how about this This is what a healthy lung should look like  upload.wikimedia.org 541px x 792px | 164.60kB [source page] patients will have a fever at some point If the cancer has affected the immune system you will have a fever Fever can be a very early sign of blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia Weight Loss Unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more can be one of the very first signs of cancer The majority of cancer patients will lose weight at some point Weight loss is most  i278.photobucket.com 768px x 1024px | 111.40kB [source page] http i278 photobucket com albums kk87 ma 02 TAURO G jpg http i278 photobucket com albums kk87 ma 3 geminis g jpg http i278 photobucket com albums kk87 ma 04 cancer g jpg http i278 photobucket com albums kk87 ma 0G 05 LEO G jpg From Yahoo Image Search: "cancer" What is the difference between Colon Cancer and Intestinal Cancer? Q. And how does one get screened for Intestinal cancer? Colon cancer runs in my family and I have a colonoscopy every year. But I found out that a close relative has Intestinal cancer. Asked by WPB_LV_AV - Thu May 17 20:47:06 2007 - - 4 Answers - 1 Comments A. As other peole pointed out, "colon" cancer is a cancer specific of the large intestin, whereas "intestinal" cancer could affect any part of the intestine (including the small intestine, i.e. duodenum, ileum and jujenum). If colon cancer runs in your family, you are likely to have FAP, or Familial adenomatous polyposis, an inherited colorectal cancer syndrome. People with the classic type of familial adenomatous polyposis may begin to develop multiple noncancerous (benign) polyps (growths) in the colon as early as their teenage years. This cancer usually develops in the lower part of the digestive system, including the large intestine (colon) and rectum. However, the FAP syndrome could present a risk factor for the cancer of the small… [cont.] Answered by lovely green eyes - Fri May 18 07:26:17 2007 What are the symptoms of cancer? How can someone diagnose if he has cancer? Q. Just wondering what the symptoms of cancer are? How can a person recongnize if he/she might have cancer? Is there any way you can tell in general? What instructions/advices/reco mmendations could you give? Additional info would be helpful! Thanks! What should I do if I want to make sure I don't have cancer? Asked by vladimir_hadzhiyski - Sat Sep 29 16:56:00 2007 - - 7 Answers - 0 Comments A. There are over 200 different types of cancer. Cancer is a progressive disease which means that it starts out very tiny, a microscopic cell . . and starts to grow. When it is small there are rarely any symptoms at all. The body does not recognize a malignant cell as being dangerous or any different that any of the other millions of cells within the body. In fact the body will nurture the cancer cell in the same way it takes care of the rest of the body . . and make it a nice healthy cancer cell. Eventually the cell grows into a nodule or tumor and if it is not bothering any vital structures or nerves . . again, no one will feel anything. The cancer will continue to grow and be nourished by the body (just as the body takes care of organs,… [cont.] Answered by Panda - Sat Sep 29 17:48:21 2007 How can cancer proliferate, if the immune system destroys it from the beginning?
Q. IF the immune system recognizes a cancer cell from the beginning-before it divides greatly-why can't it destroy the cell? If this is naive, it is because I am just learning on the subject. Asked by Bobby - Tue Mar 9 13:25:41 2010 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments A. Hi Bobby. Your question is excellent and scientific researchers are studying this issue. Please note that Gary's answer is NOT scientifically correct. The immune system, through a process called "Immune Surveillance", does recognize abnormal cells and kill them. However, for a tumor cell to survive and become a cancer cell, it must "learn" to avoid recognition by the immune system - this is termed "escape" from Immune Surveillance. So, cancers develop because cancer cells have mutated in a way that allows them to escape from attacks by the immune system. Here is another key issue involving the immune system and cancer. If Immune Surveillance works, but the immune response fails to kill all of the cancer cells, the ongoing immune… [cont.] Answered by Doctor J - Tue Mar 9 15:54:47 2010 From Yahoo Answer Search: "cancer" |
