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New Delhi, July 6, 2018:
“(Dr. Pawan Gupta, Additional Director, Surgical Oncology, Jaypee Hospital, NOIDA)”
Cancer is the uncontrolled multiplication of cells. Cancer can spread from where it started to another part of the body. The original cancer is called the primary tumour. The cancer in another part of the body is called metastatic, or secondary, cancer. Metastatic cancer has the same type of cancer cells as the primary cancer. The term metastatic cancer is usually only used to describe solid tumours that have spread to another part of the body.
The prevalence of cancer cases are on the rise in India. According to ICMR, approximately 12 to 13 lakhs new cases of cancer are being diagnosed every year along with an existing population of 25 to 30 lakhs (2.5-3 million) cancer cases at any given time in India. The saddest part of the fact is that a vast majority of them are being diagnosed in advanced stages (locally advanced or metastatic stages where the cancer cells have spread to different organs like lung, liver, brain etc).
In contrast majority of cancer cases are diagnosed in early stages in the developed countries including Europe and USA, thanks to their effective screening programmes. Awareness in general population about the big ‘C’ also helps in early cancer diagnosis.
WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF CANCER
There are 4 stages of cancer.
Stage 1&2 are early stages: In these stages, the cancer tumor is small and has not spread deeply into the nearby tissues.
Stage 3 is locally advanced and the tumor is large and has the potential to spread around the areas.
Stage 4 is advance or late stage. In the fourth stage, cancer has spread to other organs in the body from the organ of origin. It may also be called advanced or metastatic cancer.
HOW CANCER SPREADS
When cancer cells grow and divide, they can move from where they started to other areas of the body. There are 3 ways cancer can spread.
Direct extension, or invasion, means that the primary tumour grows into tissues or structures around it. For example, prostate cancer can grow into the bladder.
Lymphatic system spread means that cancer cells break away from the primary tumour and travel to another part of the body through the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a group of tissues and organs that make and store cells that fight infection and diseases.
Bloodstream, or hematogenous, spread means that cancer cells break away from the primary tumour, enter the bloodstream and travel to a new place in the body.
The immune system usually attacks and destroys cancer cells that travel through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. But sometimes cancer cells survive and settle in another area of the body, where they form a new tumor.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CANCER
When the cancer is spreading, it has the potential to affect other organs as well and the symptoms depend on the organ that is being affected. Most common symptoms of cancer irrespective of the target area are loss of weight, fever, loss of appetite, bone pain, cough and bleeding. It is important to note that if anyone is experiencing these symptoms, then immediately visit a doctor. It may or may not be a cancer but as the saying goes “Prevention is better than cure.”
HOW TO DIAGNOSE CANCER
In India, 60% of the cancer burden is formed by the three most common cancers which are oral, breast and uterine cervical. Although they can easily be detected and be cured at early stage, people generally come late with the diagnosis.
Late diagnosis can be avoided by regular self examination. One needs to be aware of their own body both anatomical and functional. Any change in function or structure should be noticed and appropriate investigations should be done. Clinical examination and investigations are done as per the requirement.
Internal organs cancers are usually detected late-night like lungs, esophageal, pancreas, liver, ovaries they grow silently in the body. In such cases clinical examination and investigations are done as per the requirement.
HOW CANCER IS TREATED
In modern times, India has similar treatment options as the western countries such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy and target therapy.
Survival probabilities primarily depend on the grade, number, and site of metastasis. However, self positivity is one thing that can change the outcome. Cancer is not life threatening if diagnosed early and can be cured. Cancer treatment responds well when one is happy, optimistic and has the love and support of the family and friends.
HOW METASTATIC CANCER IS TREATED
Metastatic cancer is usually more difficult to treat than cancer that hasn’t spread. In most cases, the goal of treatment for metastatic cancer is to prolong survival and maintain quality of life. Treatments control and slow the growth of metastases, but the metastases usually don’t go away completely. Treatments are also used to manage or prevent problems caused by the metastatic cancer (called supportive therapies).
Treatments offered for metastatic cancer are based on several factors, including where the cancer started, symptoms, location and amount of metastases, treatments used for the original cancer, the goal of treatment, your overall health and your personal preferences.
HOW CANCER CAN BE PREVENTED
In India, breast, oral, cervical, lungs and prostate cancer are the most common cancers. Any functional changes and anatomical change in the body should ring a bell. It is recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat nutritious and homemade food and do light physical activity on daily basis. In India, oral cancer accounts for maximum deaths and the main reason for this is smoking and chewing tobacco. Hence, it is requested to avoid tobacco and smoking if one intends to live a healthy life.
HealthySoch
