INTRODUCTION

Cancer is one of the most common diseases in the developed world:

1 in 4 deaths are due to cancer1 in 17 deaths are due to lung cancerLung cancer is the most common cancer in

menBreast cancer is the most common cancer

in womenThere are over 100 different forms of

cancer

The division of normal cells is precisely controlled. New cells are only formed for growth or to replace dead ones.

Cancerous cells divide repeatedly out of control even though they are not needed, they crowd out other normal cells and function abnormally. They can also destroy the correct functioning of major organs.

CAUSES OF CANCER

Cancer arises from the mutation of a normal gene.

Mutated genes that cause cancer are called oncogenes.

It is thought that several mutations need to occur to give rise to cancer

Cells that are old or not functioning properly normally self destruct and are replaced by new cells.

However, cancerous cells do not self destruct and continue to divide rapidly producing millions of new cancerous cells.

TYPES

ORAL CANCEROral cancer or mouth cancer,  a subtype of head and neck cancer, is any

CAUSES Oncogenes are activated as a result of mutation of the DNA. Risk factors

that predispose a person to oral cancer have been identified in epidemiological (epidemiology) studies.

 cancerous tissue growth PROGNOSIS Postoperative disfigurement of the face, head and neck Complications of radiation therapy, including dry mouth and difficulty

swallowing Other metastasis (spread) of the cancer Significant weight losslocated in the oral cavity.

THROAT CANCER

Throat cancer refers to cancerous tumors that develop in your throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx) or tonsils.

TREATMENTRadiation therapy Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays, to deliver radiation to the

cancer cells, causing them to die.Chemotherapy Chemotherapy uses chemicals to kill cancer cells.Targeted drug therapy Targeted drugs treat throat cancer by taking advantage of specific defects in cancer

cells that fuel the cells' growth. 

SYMPTOMSSigns and symptoms of throat cancer may include:•A cough•Changes in your voice, such as hoarseness•Difficulty swallowing•Ear pain•A lump or sore that doesn't heal•A sore throat•Weight loss

KIDNEY CANCER

Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cells in the kidney.

Signs and symptomsThe most common signs

and symptoms of kidney cancer are a mass in the abdomen and/or blood in the urine (or hematuria)

TreatmentTreatment for kidney cancer depends on the type and stage of the disease. Surgery is typically the mainstay of treatment and it usually doesn't involve chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as kidney cancers often do not respond to these treatments.

LIVER CANCER

Liver cancer or hepatic cancer is a cancer that originates in the liver.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMSBecause liver cancer is an umbrella term for

many types of cancer, the signs and symptoms depend on what type of cancer is present. 

TREATMENT Hepatocellular carcinoma Cholangiocarcinoma Hepatoblastoma

LUNG CANCER

COLON CANCER

Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, rectal cancer, or bowel cancer, is a cancer from uncontrolled cell growth in the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine), or in the appendix.

DIAGNOSIS Diagnosis of colorectal cancer is via tumor biopsy typically done during col

THE TREATMENT of colorectal cancer can be aimed at curation or palliation.onoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, depending on the location of the lesion.

Surgery Chemotherapy Radiation Palliative care

PANCREATIC CANCER

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant neoplasm originating from transformed cells arising in tissues forming the pancreas. 

DIAGNOSIS Most patients with pancreatic cancer experience pain, weight

loss, or jaundice.

TREATMENTExocrine pancreas cancer Surgery Radiation ChemotherapyPancreatic neuroendocrine tumors Watchful waiting Surger Hormone therapy Radiation Radiolabeled hormone Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryoablation, hepatic artery

embolization

SKIN CANCER

Skin cancers (skin neoplasms) are named after the type of skin cell from which they arise. Basal cell cancer originates from the lowest layer of the epidermis, and is the most common but least dangerous skin cancer.

Signs and symptoms Basal cell carcinoma Squamous cell carcinoma Melanoma

TREATMENT is dependent on type of cancer, location of the cancer, age of the patient, and whether the cancer is primary or a recurrence. Treatment is also determined by the specific type of cancer.

BREAST CANCER

Breast cancer is a type of cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk.

DIAGNOSISMost types of breast cancer are easy to diagnose by microscopic analysis of a sample—or biopsy—of the affected area of the breast. There are, however, rarer types of breast cancer that require specialized lab exams.

PREVENTIONWomen may reduce their risk of breast cancer by maintaining a healthy weight, drinking less alcohol, being physically active and breastfeeding their children. These modifications might prevent 38% of breast cancers in the US, 42% in the UK, 28% in Brazil and 20% in China.

ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

Esophageal cancer (or oesophageal cancer) is malignancy of the esophagus.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

and odynophagia (painful swallowing) are the most common symptoms of esophageal cancer. DIAGNOSIS

Clinical evaluationAlthough an occlusive tumor may be suspected on a barium swallow or barium meal, the diagnosis is best made with esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD, endoscopy)

THE TREATMENT is determined by the cellular type of cancer (adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma vs other types), the stage of the disease, the general condition of the patient and other diseases present. On the whole, adequate nutrition needs to be assured, and adequate dental care is vital.

RESEARCH

Because cancer is a class of diseases,  it is unlikely that there will ever be a single "cure for cancer" any more than there will be a single treatment for all infectious diseases.

Angiogenesis inhibitors were once thought to have potential as a "silver bullet" treatment applicable to many types of cancer, but this has not been the case in practice.

Experimental cancer treatments are treatments that are being studied to see whether they work.

Typically, these are studied in clinical trials to compare the proposed treatment to the best existing treatment.