2024 Author: Brian Parson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:02
Oncological diseases are a group of malignant tumors that are collectively referred to as cancer. In colloquial speech, cancer is a collective term for a number of related diseases in which certain body cells grow uncontrollably, divide and begin to displace healthy tissues. Large part of the oncological diseases are treatable if detected in time.
When oncological diseases tumor processes are characterized by uncontrolled cell growth; their invasion and penetration into surrounding structures; metastasis to other organs. In cancer cells, the coordination of cell growth, division and destruction is completely disrupted.
Normal regulatory signals are not recognized or are not recognized because in most cases the genetic code required for these processes is defective.
About 5,000 of human genes have a constant hold of the genetic code from one generation of cells to another. These are the so-called oncogenes and tumor suppressors that control the processes in DNA.
To date, the most plausible theory of cancer is that an error in these guardian genes triggers the cancer.
The corresponding defective gene cannot control its part and thus leads to further defects. Generally oncological diseases they can affect any part of the human body.
Causes of cancer
Cells are particularly sensitive during cell division. Cells that divide particularly rapidly are prone to trigger cancer.
The phenomena that cause cancer are those effects that stop the immune system from recognizing and removing degenerated cells. Chemical influences are especially dangerous; physical influences / ionizing radiation /; mutagenic chemicals and oncoviruses; genetic predisposition.
The main oncological diseases significantly increase with age. Lifestyle also plays an important role in triggering cancer. Such factors are smoking, alcoholism, sexually transmitted diseases, solar radiation / skin cancer /. A number of artificial additives in the food industry are also pointed out as important carcinogens.
These are the various preservatives, colorants, sweeteners known as E's. Some studies have linked low melatonin levels to cancer. These levels occur when people spend too much time under strong artificial lighting.
Symptoms of cancer
Every organ of the body can be affected by a malignant process. Individual cancers have different disease manifestations and symptoms. Most do not have the typical initial symptoms, and when they do occur, the disease process may be at an advanced stage.
About 100 different cancers are known, which differ in the chance of survival, the formation of metastases and treatment options.
Diagnosis of oncological diseases
When diagnosing oncological diseases different methods are applied. One group of methods are guiding - ultrasound, computed tomography, radiography, blood tests. However, only histological or pathomorphological examination definitively establishes the type and malignancy of the process.
In order to standardize treatment, the stage of the cancer must be determined. The staging is different for different localizations, but 4 main stages can still be distinguished. In the first stage, the malignant process is limited to the organ where it occurred.
In the second stage, metastases in the regional lymph nodes are observed. In the third stage, distant organs are affected, and in the fourth stage there are very distant metastases.
Treatment of oncological diseases
Generally the treatment of oncological diseases it is surgical, medical and radiotherapy. Radiation therapy is used in more than half of cancer patients in order to cure or improve the quality of life. It can consist of irradiation through the skin with rays or intratissue with radioactive materials.
The purpose of surgical treatment is to remove the affected organ, lymph nodes or tissues affected by the malignant process. Drug treatment consists of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, inhibition of blood vessel growth.
In the late stages of cancer, palliative care is provided, which only helps to maintain the quality of life, without being able to help cure the patient. They consist of giving painkillers, symptomatic treatment, slowing down the breakdown of the bone system.
The article is informative and does not replace a consultation with a doctor!
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