| Cancer is the name for diseases that
produce unwanted cells that affect normal healthy cells from all the organs and body’s structures.
Cancer is
considered to be life threatening. Cancer programs cells to
divide in an uncontrollable way. Generally the cells of the body
divide only when needed, like when they grow old and other cells
need to be produced in order to replace them or when they are in a
small amount and the body needs more of them. Because the cells
are produced in an increased number, a mass of unknown tissue will
form, known as a tumor (this tumor can be benign or malign).
The benign form of the tumor is considered not to be harmful.
It can be easily removed and will not spread to other organs. This tumor
usually do not reappear.
The malign form of the tumor is also known as cancer and is
considered to be a threat to life. It can affect organs that are
situated near the tumor and it can also get into the bloodstream
or lymphatic system and reach other organs creating new tumors in
the whole body. Doctors refer this as metastasis. The secondary disease
will be named after the primary disease, because the metastatic
cancerous cells have the same structure with the basic tumor
cells.
Taking colon cancer for an example, if the colon cancer cells
spread toward the liver and affect it, the liver disease will be
called metastatic colon cancer. Worldwide, colon cancer is the third leading cause of
cancer in males and the fourth in women. Colorectal cancer can affect nearby structures and can even get
into the bloodstream or lymphatic system and spread towards liver
and lungs where it will produce another tumor. If metastasis has
occurred, the hope of cure
reduced drastically.
If you have questions related to this article you may e-mail me
at doctor@soontongkiong.com quoting the contents of the article.
About the author
DR SOON is a medical practitioner. He holds four degrees. MBBS
(University of Malaya), MBA (University of East Asia), LLB (Hons)
(University of Wolverhampton), Master of Medicine (Edith Cowan
University
:
Dr SOON is the owner of AskMyVisitor.com and MyScriptDoctor.com
where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information
on
many medical, health and lifestyle topics.
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