Cancer

• Cancer definition


  Uncontrolled mitotic cell division that forms an abnormal mass with no specific function - tumor
• Types of tumors

  1. Benign - does not spread, has a capsule
  2. Malignant - tends to spread to other parts of the body - metastasis
• Cancer definition


  Uncontrolled mitotic cell division that forms an abnormal mass with no specific function - tumour
• Tumours are classified as benign or malignant.
• Benign tumours stop growing, are enclosed by capsules, they do not invade/spread and they are not cancerous
• Malignant tumours continue to grow, they invade organs and some of the cancer cells may break off and enter the blood or lymphatic system and are then carried to all parts of the body (metastasis)
• Causes of cancer -> chemicals that cause cancer: Carcinogens
• Carcinogens:

  • Cigarettes/smoking
  • Sun
  • Radiation
  • Hereditary
  • Chemical exposure
  • Pollutants
  • Hormonal imbalance
• Treatments

  • Surgery
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiotherapy
  • Cryosurgery
  • (Hormonal Replacement Therapy/HRT for hormone related cancer)
• Types of cancer

  • Carcinoma: epithelial skin tissue and internal organs
  • Sarcoma: connective tissue, muscle, fat, bone, and cartilage
  • Leukemia: blood and lymphatic system