Cancer and Current Treatment Options - Essay Example

Running Head: Cancer Cancer Name Course Lecturer Date Introduction Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrollable cell division, causing impeding of the normal functioning of the body. Uncontrollable division of damaged cells leads to formation of lumps or even masses of tissue knows as tumors. This is only in exemption of leukemia, whereby abnormal division of cell in blood stream bar normal blood functioning. Tumors once developed may interfere with circulatory, digestive and nervous system, in addition to realizing hormones that hinder or change body function. When tumors have a narrow growth and remain in one spot is said to benign (Alison, 2001). On the other hand, malignant or dangerous tumors are formed when; Cancerous cell is able to move within the body through lymph or blood systems causing destruction to healthy tissues through a process referred to as invasion. Secondly, when that cell divide and grow, causing formation of new blood vessels it uses to feed itself. This process is referred to as angiogenesis. After successful spread throughout the body and it grows, invading and causing destruction to health tissues, then cancer is said to have metastasized. Thus, the process is metastasis, resulting to a very serious condition which is very difficult to treat (Rath, 2001.). Causes of cancer Generally, cancer is caused by environmental factors that mutate genes encoding proteins that control cells. The resulting abnormal cell behavior leads to complete masses of anomalous cells. Thus, cancer from a flow of anomalous cell reactions, when a damage caused by wrong cellular mechanism is not repaired resulting to cell malignancy (Alison, 2001). In general cancer is caused by mutagens, carcinogens, and family type. i. Mutagens Uncontrolled growth of cells can be experienced in case of any damages of mutation to DNA. This therefore, means damage to the genes that are engaged in cell division. In generally there are mainly four types of genes involved in cell division; oncogenes which informs the cell when to divided, tumor suppressor cells that instructs the cells when they are not supposed to divide, suicide genes that control opoptosis and instruct the cell to kill itself incase anything goes wrong, and finally, DNA-repair genes tell a cell to repair dented DNA. Generally, cancer arise in case a cell`s gene mutation incapacitate the cell to correct damage to the DNA, or commit suicide. Still, cancer results from mutations which hinder the function of tumor suppressor and oncogene, causing uncontrolled growth of cell (Hanahan & Weinberg, 2011). ii. Carcinogens This is a class of substances advance or aid cancer by being directly responsible for DNA damage. Radiations from gamma or X-rays, tobacco, arsenic, fumes from car exhaust, the sun among other things are examples of carcinogens. On exposing the body to carcinogens, the formation of free radicals is initiated. The radicals try to take electrons of other molecules in the body. Thus, the free radicals end up damaging the cells, as well as affecting normal functioning ability (Hanahan & Weinberg, 2011).. iii. Family Type Genes Thirdly, cancer may result from genetic predisposition inherited from family lineage. This means that incase a person is either born with a particular genetic mutations, or faulted gene, this statistically makes one prone to developing cancer (Hanahan & Weinberg, 2011). Symptoms of cancer Dubrawsk (2002) obsevers that cancer symptoms vary with location, spread and size of tumor. Symptoms includes lump in the area, skin cancer evident through mole or wart on the skin, white patches on the tongue or mouth for oral cancer, effect on cognitive functions for brain cancer, yellowing of skin and an eye referred to as jaundice present pancreas cancer. Moreover, pain and tumor in organs and blood vessels and generally change of function in many organs. For instance, colon cancer causes constipation and diarrhea, and so on. Enlarged and swollen lymph nodes and shortness of breath are evident at metastasizes level. Classifications of Cancer Globally, over 100 types of cancer are evident, and each categorized depending cells type that is initially involved. Cancer is then classified in to five broad groups (Alison, 2001); Carcinomas for cells covering internal and external body parts such as lung and breast. Sarcomas for cells located in bones, muscles, cartilage, connective tissue, fat an so on. Lymphomas for cancers beginning from immune system and lymph nodes Leukemia for cancers beginning from bone marrow and mainly accrues in the bloodstream. Diagnosis of cancer According to Dubrawsk (2002), biopsy, a process of extracting and looking at cancer cells under microscope is best in diagnosing cancer. Other forms includes of use symptoms to conduct diagnosis through imaging techniques like x-rays, MRI scan and so on, to detect tumor and the affected organs. Moreover, endoscopy which involves use of thin tube fitted with a camera and light to check irregularities in the body. Other methods of diagnosis include analyzing of body fats, sugar levels, proteins and DNA based on molecular level. Cancer treatment Treatment of cancer varies depending on cancer type, it stage (the extent of it growth in the body), and individual characteristics such as health statues, age among other things. According to none, cancer has no single specific treatment, rather a combination of therapies, in addition to palliative care are given to the patient. Cancer treatment comes in any of the following group; a) Surgery This is earliest treatment for cancer. Experts say it is completely possible to terminate and cure cancer in the body through surgery if it has not metastasized. This has been evident especially with the removal of breast or prostrate, or testicle. Surgery is also instrumental in controlling symptoms such as compression of spinal, and bowel obstruction. However, once cancer has overly grown it is impossible to entirely remove all cancerous cells, thus necessitating further measures (Alison 2001). b) Radiation This also referred to as radiotherapy. In radiation cancer is destroyed by use of high energy rays on the cancerous cells. Therefore, the molecules making up cancels cells are damaged, and making them commit suicide. Parkin (2001) observes that gamma rays emitted from metals like radium and x-rays created in specific machines produce the high energy for radiotherapy. In earlier days, this type of treatment was unreliable as energy beams affected the normal and healthy tissues as well. However, the improved technology has ensured that only the target cells are reached by the energy beams. Radiotherapy is indeed instrument as it a standalone treatment used to shrink tumor or for destroying cancer cells, (even the leukemia and lymphoma ones), as well as being used with other treatments for cancer (Rath, 2001). c) Chemotherapy Chemotherapy uses chemicals which interfere with process of cell division that destroy DNA or proteins, causing the cancerous cells to commit suicide. Chemotherapy targets any cell that is rapidly dividing whether normal or cancer cell. Cancer cells do not recover from chemical induced damage, while normal cells do. Usually, chemotherapy is effective for metastasized cancer since medicines spread all over the body. Chemotherapy is done in cycles to ensure the body gets to heal between doses. Combination therapies that are used include multiple forms of chemotherapy or one which is combined with other options of treatment. Side effects from chemotherapy include nausea, vomiting, hair loss and fatigue (Parkin, 2001). d) Immunotherapy Immunotherapy brings the immune system of the body to a point of fighting tumor. Local immunotherapy id done by injecting treatment in the target area of cells, for a specific reason such as causing inflammation that lead to shrinking of cancer. In systematic immunotherapy, an administering mediator such as protein Interferon alpha is used to treat the whole body. If immunotherapy improves immune system abilities to fight cancer, it is termed non-specific, but when it instructs immune system to annihilate cancer cells, it is considered targeted. Recent researchers have discovered treatments introducing antibodies and transplantation of bone marrow (Parkin, 2001). e) Hormone Therapy Cancers such as breast and prostrate have been linked to hormones. Some leukemia and lymphoma cases can be treated through hormone therapy. Hormone therapy alters production or kills cancer cells. Breast cancer therapy reduces estrogen levels, while prostrate cancer reduce testosterone levels (Hanahan & Weinberg, 2011). f) Gene Therapy This substitutes dented genes with the working ones that can address the cause of cancer, which is DNA damage. Also, gene therapy aims at damaging the DNA of cancer cells causing them to commit suicide (Hanahan & Weinberg, 2011).. Prevention Conclusively, Rath (2001) asserts that cancer can be prevented through vaccinations for some cancers, avoiding cancer causing behaviors such as smoking, avoiding intense heat waves, eating diets low in fat but rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, systematic screening to detect any abnormalities among other things. References Alison, M. (2001). Cancer. London: Nature Publishing Group. DubrawskY, N. (2002). Cancer Statistics. CA a Cancer Journal For Clinicians, Volume: 39, Issue: 6. , Pages: 399. Hanahan, D. &Weinberg, R. (2011). Hallmarks of Cancer: The Next Generation. Journal of Cell, Volume: 144, Issue: 5. , Pages: 646-674. Parkin, D. M. (2001). Global Cancer Statistics in The Year 2000. The Lancet Oncology, Volume: 2, Issue: 9. , Pages: 533-543. Rath, M. ( 2001). Cellular Health Series: Cancer. Santa Clara: MR Publishing Inc. Read More