Cancer Treatment

Cancer Treatment

In simple terms, cancer is an abnormal growth of body cells. Each one of us is born with a potential for cancer. One cannot "Catch" it as one would an infection or a cold. When the programming of a cell or a group of cells is affected, growth may become uncontrolled. Some of the factors that can alter the code are chronic irritation, tobacco, smoke and dust, radioactive substances, age, sex, race and heredity. While one cannot control many of these factors , we need to be aware of the ones we can control of. Prevention is definitely better than treatment of cancer.

Symptoms of Cancer

There are no definite symptoms of cancer as it arises from a variety of sites and develops with a number of conflicting patterns of spread. Cancer is very different from diseases like arthritic disease or heart disease. The primary site of the cancer defines the exact nature of its symptoms. These symptoms also depend on the rate of development, location in an organ and also whether secondary spread is there or not. A lump or swelling is caused when primary tumors develop at an accessible or visible part of the body that includes oral cavity, skin, testicle or breast. The usual swelling caused by is painless at its initial stage, although skin breakdown (ulceration) may occur that can be painful.

The most significant diagnostic tool used in the study of oncology is medical history. It includes specific symptoms experienced by the patient and nature of complaint.

Diagnostic Tools

• Biopsy - a medical test which involves removal of cells or tissues from possible area of malignancy for microscopic examination
• Endoscopy - This involves internal examination of the patient's body by inserting a small scope to view the lesion.
• X-Ray, CT scan, Ultrasound - These are radiological techniques used to examine the patient.
• Blood Tests - Pathological examination like blood tests is a common technique to diagnose cancer.
• Scintigraphy, Positron emission tomography - These are methods of nuclear medicine used to diagnose cancer.

Method of Treatments

Treatment of cancer depends on specific cases and the nature and extent of malignancy of the tumor. The most common methods of treatment are

• Surgery - If the case permits, surgery or removal of the malignant portion of the body is removed.
• Chemotherapy - It is the use of chemical substances to treat the disease. Often cytotoxic drugs are used for chemotherapy.
• Radiotherapy - Ionizing radiation is used as a medical technique to cure and control the growth of malignant cells.
• Hormone Manipulation - is mainly used in cases of breast and prostrate cancer
• Vaccine - It is an antigenic preparation used to establish immunity to the disease.

Cancer treatment services available in India

• Head and neck cancer
• Oral cancer
• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Uterine cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Lymphoma cancer
• Gall bladder cancer
• Leukemia cancer
• Brain Cancer
• Bone cancer.