Overview of Cancer

The characteristics of cancer cells are continuous cell growth due to their non-responding nature to the signals of stopping the growth or apoptosis, the ability to spread in other parts of the body, and immortality of cells because of their capacity to restore their telomeres. The clinical features depend on the size and location of cancer and the presence or absence of metastasis. Local and systemic symptoms rely on the tumor mass and the body’s response to cancer, respectively. Cancer is classified according to the tissue involved, like Carcinomas, Sarcomas, Myeloma, Leukemia, Lymphoma, Germ cell tumor, and blastoma. The globally recognized standard to classify the extent of cancer spread is called T.N.M. Classification. It applies to many solid tumor cancers but is not relevant to leukemia and the central nervous systems tumor. The tumor can be diagnosed with tests like mammograms, Pap smears, Tumor markers, Bone scans, MRI, Tissue biopsies, and PET-CT scans. The treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer and the patient's overall health. Common treatment modalities are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Other treatments are targeted/biological therapies, hematopoietic stem cell transplants, angiogenesis inhibitors, cryosurgery, and photodynamic therapy. Every treatment has its risks, benefits, and side effects. 

Keywords: Blastoma, Cancer, Chemotherapy, Germ cell tumor, Leukemia, Lymphoma, Metastasis, Myeloma, Radiation, Sarcomas, Surgery, TNM classification.