• metastatic breast cancer

  • Understanding Cancer and How it Forms

    Even though smoking rates have declined significantly over the years, lung cancer still ranks near the top of the charts in terms of the frequency of its diagnosis.

  • Throughout a person’s life, their healthy cells divide and replace themselves in a consistent and controlled manner. A person develops cancer when a single cell is altered in some way so that it begins to multiply in an uncontrolled manner. When a mass of these cells is created, it is referred to as a tumor.

    When it comes to the different types of cancer, the majority of situations begin as a tumor; however, not all tumors are actually cancerous. Noncancerous, also referred to as benign tumors, are those that won’t spread to other parts of the body. A malignant (cancerous) tumor is the complete opposite. As it continues to grow, it will crowd the healthy cells and interfere with normal body functions. The tumor will also begin to take nutrients from the various body tissues.

    The Development of Cancer – What to Know

    As the tumor or cancer keeps growing, it may spread. In most cases, it is going to spread by direct extension, or through a process that is called metastasis. This is when the malignant cancer cells move through the blood vessels or lymphatic system. Eventually, new tumors will begin to form in different parts of the body, resulting in various cancer types.

    Different Types of Cancer

    The actual term, “cancer,” is used for more than 100 different diseases that can affect almost all parts of the body. If the cells reach stage 4 cancer, then they are virtually always going to be life-threatening.

    The most common types of cancer include leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, sarcoma, and carcinoma. A Carcinoma, which is the most common type of cancer diagnosed, originates in the pancreas, breasts, lungs, skin and other glands and organs in the body. More information about this development is available through the Ultimate Guide to different types of cancer.

    A lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes, while leukemia is cancer that affects a person’s blood. In most cases, leukemia won’t create a solid tumor. A sarcoma develops in cartilage, blood vessels, fat, muscle, bone and an array of other connective or soft tissues in the body. A melanoma is a cancer that occurs in the pigment of the skin.

    Unfortunately, when a person develops cancer, of any type, they require extensive and aggressive treatment as soon as possible. Without this treatment, cancer may be life-threatening. Getting to know more about the different types of cancer is the best way to know what to expect.

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