Cancer: Types and Risk Factors

Cancer is a progressive disease and is quite aggressive in nature. It is marked by the abnormal multiplication of malignant cells in the body which accumulate to form a mass or lump known as a tumour. These malignant cells gradually replace the healthy cells and if left untreated can also result in organ failure. As much as you want to avoid the topic, you cannot deny the fact that more than 8 lakh people die of cancer in India every year and the numbers are increasing. This makes it very important to educate ourselves and our loved ones about the disease as cancer can affect people of any age group, irrespective of their gender. There are more than 100 different types of malignancies, all named after the organs or tissues which they invade. You can find some of the best hospitals for cancer treatment in Delhi.

Types of cancer

Cancers are generally categorized into two categories – primary and metastatic.

• Primary cancer- It is the umbrella term used to describe the cancers that develop at the primary site of origin and are named after the same. For instance, cancer that develops in the liver is known as liver cancer or the one that develops in the mouth is known as mouth cancer. The type of treatment depends upon the stage of cancer. Initially, the cancer is localized which makes them easier to treat. However, complications may arise as the cancer progress to other body parts.

Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted drug therapy, immunotherapy etc.

• Met astatic cancer- Cancer cells have the tendency to spread from the primary site of origin to various other parts of the body via the bloodstream. This process is known as metastasis and secondary cancer that develops as a result of this is known as metastatic cancer. Metastasis usually takes place during Stage III and Stage IV when the cancer is no more localized. Metastatic cancer is named after its primary site of origin along with the reference of the secondary site. For instance, if lung cancer has metastasized to the bones, the person is said to have lung cancer with bone metastasis. Doctors specializing in lung cancer treatment in Delhi suggest that 30 to 40 per cent people with lung cancer develop bone metastasis.

Metastatic cancer is usually treated by systemic therapies or by administering certain medication. If the patient does not respond to these then palliative treatments may be recommended to relieve the symptoms.

Risk factors

Although cancer can affect anyone, there are certain risk factors that increase your vulnerability to the same. These include:

•  Age – As a person ages, his/her risks of developing cancer-causing lesions increase considerably.

• Gender – The vulnerability to develop a specific type of cancer depends upon the gender of the patient. In fact, there are certain cancers that are only found in men while some others which only affect females. While a lot of people think that breast cancer only affects women, doctors hailing from the best breast cancer hospital in India suggest that the problem can also affect men, however, the chances are quite rare.

• Heredity –Although the tumour cells cannot be passed on like genes, the fact that a close family member (blood-related) has cancer may elevate your risks of developing the same.

• Unhealthy lifestyle habits – Practices like excessive smoking, consumption of alcohol and substance abuse can considerably increase your risks of developing cancer.

• Exposure to harmful chemicals and radiations – Work-related or accidental exposure to a variety of chemicals can add to your risks of developing cancer. Same is the case with ionizing and non-ionizing radiations.