An Overview of Cancer

Abstract

Cancer is defined as one of the large groups of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that grow beyond their boundaries, which can invade adjoining tissues via circulation, and spread to other organs in the body. Cancer can be initiated anywhere in the body, where damaged cells grow and multiply where they shouldn't. These cells form tumors, also called neoplasm- an abnormal mass of cells. Tumors can be non-cancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant). Cancers are grouped according to their origin of tissue or organ. Four major types of cancers- • Carcinomas – are malignancies that begin in the epithelial cells, which make up the skin , and tissues that line other internal organs. Examples of carcinomas involved are prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. • Sarcomas- sarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in tissues like bone or soft tissues and connective tissues . • Leukemias- leukemias are cancer of the white blood cells, which begins in the bone marrow as the bone marrow produces an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells, that do not function properly. There are 4 major types of leukemia - acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, and chronic myelogenous leukemia . • Lymphoma- a cancer that begins in the lymphatic system, the lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland, and other network of vessels. There are main types of lymphomas- Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. • And there are also other types of cancer • In overview, cancer is a condition where cells multiply abnormally over time. The cells divide and grow rebelliously, they invade surrounding tissues and spread to distant parts of the body. In the course of time, the mass of the cancer cells can get massive enough to make lumps(tumors) that can be felt or seen. But not all tumors are cancer.