Sometimes too much information is a goo thing. This is true especially in the case of cancer
Cancer is a disease characterized by excessive reproduction of cells, which serves no useful purpose, and is not compensated by appropriate cell loss. Cancer cells have certain unique attributes, which distinguish them from normal body cells-they originate from one single cell, which means all the cells in a given cancer have the same genes. They can grow indefinitely, are genetically unstable and have the ability to spread to distant organs (metastatise),This ability to disseminate is the hallmark of cancer, and distinuishes it from benign tumours. Metastatic spread denotes stage IV or advanced disease and is usually incurable. Metastasis may occur through the blood, lymphatics or by direct spread. The liver, lungs, bone and brain all of which have a rich blood supply are commonly affected by metastases.
The cause of cancer may be due to external factors like chemicals, radiation or viral infections, or internal due to hormones, decreased immunity or genetic changes, which may be hereditary. Cancer may be due to external factors like chemicls, radiation or viral infections, or internal due to hormones, decreased immunity or genetic changes, which may be hereditary. Cancer causation or carcinogenesis is a complex process. The time between exposures or mutations to detectable cancer is often ten or more years ! When a person comes with a tumour to the doctor, it may have already been present several years without causing any symptoms.
In India, cancer is a major problem with 8,00,000 new cases of cancer being detected every year, Though cancer often shows up late, there ae certain warning signs which should not be ignored - unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, lump in the breast or bleeding from the nipple recent change of bowel habits, bleeding after menopause, change in shape/size or bleeding from a mole and chronic cough. Cancer can be detected at a very early stage, bu doing a screening or early detection of asymptomatic or unrecognised disease by the application of acceptable, inexpensive tests or examinations.
There are several modalities used to treat cancer - surgery, radiation, therapy, chemotherapy, endocrine and biological therapy. The type of treatment depends on the type of cancer, location, stage and general condition of the patient. When cancer has metastasised, it is usually beyond the realm of cure, except in a minority of cancers, and treatment is with chemotherapy.
At MIOT hospitals, we have a dedicated fully fledged oncology set-up. The trinity - surgical, medical and radiation oncology are manned by specialists, who work as a team. There are state-of-the-art operation theatres, well equipped postoperative ICUs with barrier nursing, and good infrastructural support, such as interventional radiology, a large blood bank and experienced pathologists. Frozen sections facility (pathological examination during surgery) is used by the surgions foutinely to ensure complete removal of tumour and guide the extent of surgery. State-of-the-art radiation machines and the latest PET-CT scanners are being installed. Surgeries for all cancers are rountinely performed with good results.
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