The Involvement of Ion Channels in Cancer - Dissertation Example

Environmental factors that trigger cancer include diet and obesity, infection, radiation, lack of physical activity, tobacco and pollutants (Danaei, Vander Hoorn, Lopez, Murray, & Ezzati 2005; Irigaray, Newby, Clapp, et al 2007; Parkin, 2006). Such factors develop the mutation of the cell's genetic composition. As per the process of the reproduction of cells, it is a complex procedure that is regulated by various classes of genes, which consists of tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes (Kinzler et al 2002).

Acquired diseases or abnormalities are hereditary, which can develop into cancer. Approximately five to ten percent of most cancer cases are hereditary (Anand et al. 2008).The presence of cancer can be determined through the results of radiology or the manifestations of symptoms. However, diagnosis can only be identified by means of a microscopic examination of a biopsy specimen. Most cases of cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. The type and degree of the cancer influence the prognosis.

This illness can affect everyone, regardless of age, but some are more prevalent in children, whereas the risk of developing cancer comes with aging. The mortality rate due to cancer increases due to lifestyle changes and aging (Jemal, Bray, Center, Ferlay, Ward, & Forman 2011).ClassificationThere are different types of cancer, and they can be identified through the type of cell in accordance with the semblance of the tumor. Each classification is as follows: Carcinoma is a type of cancer that originated from epithelial cells, which are most commonly referred to as those that manifest in the breast, prostate, lung and colon, whereas Sarcoma is caused by mutated connective tissue or mesenchymal cells.

Blastoma is a derivative from embryonic tissues of immature precursors, which are most common in children. Carcinoma, blastoma and sarcoma are suffixes of cancer types, which is defined as the origin. Lymphoma and Leukemia are derived from blood-forming or hematopoietic cells. Germ cell tumor manifests from pluripotent cells.