Throughout our lives, healthy cells in our bodies divide in a controlled manner, replacing old cells with new ones. Think of it like removing old bricks and building new ones. But what happens if, for some reason, this control over cell division is lost? One cell starts dividing like crazy, without any control. That is where cancer begins. This abnormally dividing mass of cells is called a tumor.
Are all tumors cancerous?
No. This is the most important thing we need to understand first. Just because you have a lump doesn't mean it's cancer. Most cancers start as lumps, but not all lumps are cancer.
Simply put, there are two types of nuts. Let's look at the difference between the two like this.
| Characteristic | Benign Tumors | Malignant Tumors |
|---|---|---|
| Growth and spread | These do not spread to other parts of the body. They do not form new tumors. They stay where they were. | These continue to grow, invade surrounding healthy cells and tissues, and can spread to other parts of the body. |
| Effect on the body | It is usually not life-threatening, but sometimes it can cause problems depending on where it is located (e.g. in the brain). | They crowd out healthy cells, disrupt normal body functions, and absorb nutrients from the body. They can be life-threatening. |
| Metastasis | This process is not happening. | These malignant cells travel through blood vessels or lymphatic vessels to distant parts of the body and form new tumors. This is called metastasis . |
Simply put: Cancers are malignant tumors. They can spread to other parts of the body.
What are the main types of cancer?
The word "cancer" covers more than 100 diseases that can develop anywhere in the body. All of them can be life-threatening. But there are a few main types of cancer that we talk about most often.
| Cancer type | Starting point and description |
|---|---|
| Carcinoma | These are the most commonly diagnosed types of cancer. They start in the skin, lungs, breast, pancreas, and various glands in the body. |
| Sarcoma | These start in the bones, muscles, fat, blood vessels, cartilage, or soft tissues of the body. These are relatively rare. |
| Melanoma | This type of cancer begins in the cells that make the pigment that gives our skin its color. |
| Lymphoma | These are cancers that develop in the lymph cells (lymphocytes), a type of cancer related to our immune system. |
| Leukemia | This is what we call 'blood cancer'. This is a cancer that occurs in the blood. It usually does not form solid tumors. |
Today's advances in cancer treatment
Although cancer has been recognized as a disease affecting humans for thousands of years, medical science has only fully understood what it really is and how it behaves in the last century.
We call doctors who specialize in cancer (Oncologists) . Thanks to their efforts, we have made amazing progress in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer.
Today, more people diagnosed with cancer are surviving and living longer than ever before. Modern treatments have improved quality of life and extended lifespans.
But we must admit that some types of cancer are still difficult to cure. But research into them continues.
The most important thing is to detect it early and seek proper treatment. If you or someone in your family has any unusual changes in your body, such as a lump or a wound that won't heal, don't panic and see your doctor right away. While searching for information on the internet is good for knowledge, only your doctor can give you the most accurate medical advice and guidance that is right for you.
Take-Home Message
- Cancer is the abnormal, uncontrolled division of cells in the body.
- Not all tumors that form in the body are cancerous. There are two types: benign and malignant. Cancer refers to malignant tumors.
- There are more than 100 types of cancer, the most common of which is carcinoma.
- Today, there are very advanced treatments for cancer. Therefore, early diagnosis and proper medical advice are very important.
- If you notice any suspicious changes in your body, don't be afraid of it or ignore it, but definitely see a doctor.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts here.
Add Your Comment