Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Living with the Disease

Cancer is a disease portrayed by abnormal cells' uncontrolled growth and spread. When normal cells in the body undergo transformations that disrupt their normal function and growth patterns, they form cancerous cells. Cancer is not just one disease but a group of many different conditions. What they all have in common is the disorderly growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body.

Normal vs. Cancerous Cells

To understand cancer, it's essential to grasp how normal cells differ from cancerous ones—cells adhere to instructions encoded within their genes that dictate crucial processes, such as when a cell should grow and stop. Cancerous cells, however, disregard these genetic guidelines, leading to the following discrepancies:

• Growth and Division: Healthy cells have a controlled growth pattern, dividing and multiplying in a way that maintains balance in the body. In contrast, cancer cells grow and divide without restraint, often leading to the formation of tumors.
• Cell Death: Normal cells have a built-in mechanism known as apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which eliminates old or damaged cells. Cancerous cells often bypass this mechanism, allowing them to continue living and reproducing.
• Movement: Normal cells within solid organs typically remain in their designated location. Cancerous cells can acquire the ability to move, migrating to other parts of the body (metastasis) and potentially establishing new tumors.
• Growth Rate: Cancerous cells often exhibit a significantly faster growth rate than normal cells, contributing to tumor development and progression.

How does cancer start in your body?

Cancer develops when alterations or mutations occur within genes. These mutations disrupt the expected behavior of cells, prompting them to grow and divide without restraint. The accumulation of these abnormal cells can result in a mass known as a tumor.

Cancerous cells can sometimes break free from the original tumor and travel to other body parts. This process, known as metastasis, often utilizes the lymphatic system or bloodstream as a pathway.

For instance, breast cancer cells might spread to the lungs, impacting breathing. In certain blood cancers, abnormal cells in the bone marrow produce dysfunctional blood cells that multiply rapidly. Over time, these abnormal cells can displace healthy blood cells, leading to various complications.

How common is cancer?

Cancer is a severe health issue that impacts a large number of people. Data shows that a large percentage of individuals will likely receive a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives.

Most Common Cancers

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Blood cancers
• Oral cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Liver cancer
• Esophageal cancer

Understanding Cancer Symptoms and Causes

Cancer can be a complex and deceptive disease. It's possible to have cancer for a significant period without experiencing any noticeable symptoms. But sometimes, cancer can manifest with clear signs that rapidly worsen. It's also important to remember that many cancer symptoms can mimic those of less severe conditions. Experiencing specific symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you have cancer. However, it's generally recommended to consult your doctor if symptoms last longer than two weeks.

Early Warning Signs

• Unexplained weight loss
• Chronic fatigue
• Persistent pain
• Fever that occurs predominantly at night
• Skin changes, mainly moles that change in shape, size, or new moles appearing
• Painless or painful lumps and bumps under the skin, in muscles, or in the breast that are growing rapidly
• Painless or painful non-healing ulcers in the mouth, on the skin, or on or around the genitalia

Progression of Symptoms

• Increased bruising or bleeding
• Lumps or bumps under the skin that don't resolve
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing

The Root of Cancer

Cancer is fundamentally a genetic disorder. It arises when genes responsible for regulating cell behavior mutate, resulting in the creation of abnormal cells. These cells then divide and multiply uncontrollably, ultimately disrupting normal bodily functions.

Genetic Mutations

Studies indicate that a small percentage of all cancers (around 5-12%) are due to inherited genetic changes that individuals cannot control. The majority of cancer cases, however, stem from acquired mutations that build up over a person's lifetime. Researchers have recognized various risk factors that can elevate the chances of developing cancer.

Lifestyle Choices and Cancer Risk

The choices you make about your lifestyle and the environment around you play a significant role in whether you might develop cancer. By adopting intelligent choices and healthy habits, you can take control of your health and lower your risk.

Modifiable Risk Factors

• Tobacco Use: Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or using e-cigarettes elevates your risk of various cancers, including lung, pancreatic, esophageal, and oral cancers.
• Diet and Exercise: Eating lots of fatty, sugary, or processed foods and not getting enough exercise can make you more likely to develop various cancers.
• Environmental Exposure: Exposure to toxins such as asbestos, pesticides, and radon can also contribute to cancer development.
• Radiation: Too much sun exposure can significantly raise your chances of developing skin cancer. Receiving high doses of radiation during medical procedures can also increase your risk.
• Hormone Therapy: Women and individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) who undergo hormone replacement therapy may face an increased risk of breast and endometrial cancers.

Lowering Your Risk

• Quit tobacco
• Embrace a healthy diet
• Stay active
• Minimize toxin exposure
• Protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays

Diagnosis and Tests

Comprehensive Evaluation

The process of diagnosing cancer typically starts with a comprehensive physical exam conducted by your doctor. They will actively listen to your concerns about any symptoms you're experiencing and may inquire about your family's medical background and recommend a series of tests.

Blood Tests

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Tumor Markers
• Blood Protein Tests
• Circulating Tumor Cell Tests

Imaging Tests

Imaging tests create visual representations of the inside of your body to locate tumors and assess their impact. The tests include:

• X-ray
• Ultrasound
• CT Scan
• MRI Scan
• PET Scan
• Bone Scan

Biopsies

A biopsy entails examining a small sample of cells, tissue, or fluid under a microscope. Several biopsy techniques exist:

• Needle Biopsy
• Skin Biopsy
• Bone Marrow Biopsy
• Endoscopic or Laparoscopic Biopsy
• Excisional or Incisional Biopsy
• Perioperative Biopsy
  

Genetic Testing

Changes in individual genes or combinations of genes can initiate cancer development. Inherited genetic mutations can elevate the risk of specific cancer types, that's why genetic testing may be advised for individuals with a family history of inherited cancer or to personalize cancer treatment approaches.

How is the cancer stage determined?

Test results are used to establish a diagnosis and assign a stage to the cancer.

Cancers are typically classified into stages, providing a framework to understand the extent of the disease. Most cancers follow a four-stage system, with the specific stage determined by factors like tumor size and location:

• Stage I: The cancer is confined to a small area and hasn't spread to nearby lymph nodes or other tissues.
• Stage II: The cancer has grown but remains localized.
• Stage III: The cancer has grown and spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues.
• Stage IV: Also known as the metastatic or advanced stage of cancer, it happens when the cancer has spread to other organs or areas of the body.

In addition to stages one through four, there's also Stage 0. This represents the earliest phase, where cancer is still limited to its origin point. Cancers at Stage 0 are often highly treatable and considered precancerous by many healthcare professionals.

Cancer Management and Treatment

Healthcare providers employ various treatment approaches, often combining them to tailor treatment to each patient's needs. Common cancer treatments include:

• Chemotherapy utilizes: Use of potent drugs (orally or intravenously) to destroy cancer cells.
• Radiation Therapy: High doses of radiation, either used alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy, to eliminate cancer cells. It can be used.
• Surgery: Involves the surgical removal of cancerous tumors that haven't spread, combined with chemotherapy or radiation in neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy approaches.
• Hormone Therapy: Utilizes hormones to block cancer-promoting hormones in specific cancers. For example, it can be used to lower testosterone levels in prostate cancer.
• Biological Response Modifier Therapy: Stimulates and enhances the immune system's ability to fight cancer by altering natural bodily processes.
• Immunotherapy: Engages the body's immune system to combat cancer.
• Targeted Therapy: Focuses on specific genetic changes or mutations driving cancer cell growth.
• Bone Marrow Transplant (Stem Cell Transplantation): This procedure replaces damaged stem cells with healthy ones, either from the patient (autologous) or from a donor (allogeneic).

Navigating Cancer Treatment and Beyond

Treatment Side Effects

While healthcare providers try to balance between effective cancer treatment and minimizing side effects, all cancer treatments can have some impact on the body. Some medicines may even cause long-lasting effects that persist for years after treatment concludes. Fortunately, palliative care can offer relief from both cancer symptoms and treatment-related side effects.

Standard cancer treatment side effects include:

• Anemia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Pain

Prognosis and Outlook

Currently, more individuals are experiencing successful cancer treatment and living longer with the disease. Early detection and treatment before cancer spread significantly improves the outlook.

However, each person's prognosis is unique and influenced by various factors, including:

• Overall health
• Type of cancer
• Cancer stage
• Response to treatment

Cancer Survival Rates

Survival rates provide estimates based on the experiences of large groups of people with different types of cancer. Like prognoses, survival rates vary based on cancer type, stage, and treatment.

Living with Cancer

Self-care is crucial when living with cancer. Some self-care recommendations include:

• Maintaining healthy eating and exercise habits.
• Listening to your body's signals of fatigue and prioritizing rest.
• Seeking support from therapists, counselors, or support groups to cope with the challenges of living with a chronic illness.

Cancer Survivorship

Survivors may face various challenges and complications along the way.

Cancer Recurrence and Second Cancers

• Recurrent Cancer: Cancer can sometimes return even after treatment, either at the original site, in nearby lymph nodes or in distant organs.
• Second Cancer: A new, unrelated cancer that develops in someone who has previously had cancer.
  

Other Concerns

Cancer and its treatment can lead to additional complications, such as:

• Cancer Fatigue: An overwhelming tiredness not relieved by rest.
• Cancer Pain: Some treatments can cause persistent pain.
• Chemo Brain: Difficulty with memory, concentration, and completing tasks due to cancer or its treatment.

Communication with Your Healthcare Provider

Don't hesitate to reach out if you experience:

• Fever of 101°F (38.33°C) or higher
• Severe headaches
• Chills
• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Sores in the mouth
• Sudden weight loss exceeding 5 pounds
• Excessive vomiting
• Blood in urine or stool
• Excessive bleeding or bruising

What questions should you ask your healthcare provider?

Gather as much information as possible to actively participate in your care. Consider asking your provider:

• What type of cancer do I have?
• Has the cancer spread?
• Is my cancer genetic?
• What are my chances of survival?
• What treatment options are recommended?
• What are the risks and benefits of each treatment?
• How long will treatment last?
• Can I continue working during treatment?
• Will treatment affect my fertility?
• Will I need hospitalization?
• Are clinical trials suitable for me?

Sterling Hospital is Your Partner in Better Health Across Gujarat

Sterling Hospital has proven itself to be the best cancer hospital in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Rajkot. We provide our patients with the utmost care and comfort throughout their battle against cancer while striving to provide them with premium treatments and the best results. We've got the best onco surgeons in Rajkot, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad, who will be your partner throughout your journey. Contact Sterling Hospital to schedule a consultation and embark on a journey towards a healthier life.