Cancer types/What forms are there?
There are many different forms of cancer with significant differences. They concern, besides the frequency, the occurrence and the consequences on the human body. About two percent of all cancers are caused by the usually aggressive pancreatic cancer.
It is the third most common tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. Stomach cancer and colon cancer are even more common. In the majority of cases, colorectal cancer develops from intestinal polyps, so-called adenomas, which degenerate.
Liver cancer Liver cancer originates in the majority of cases from liver cells, but can also develop from cells of the bile ducts. Lung cancer is usually the non-small cell carcinoma. About three percent of malignant tumors are bladder cancer, 80% of which grow superficially and are relatively easy to treat.
Kidney cancer usually develops from the cells of the cortical zone and occurs in greater numbers between the ages of 50 and 70. Prostate cancer is a malignant new formation in the male prostate gland. Testicular cancer occurs more frequently in men between 15 and 35 years of age.
One of the most common forms of cancer in women is breast cancer with a peak between the ages of 55 and 65. Other female forms of cancer are: Other forms of cancer are
- Cervical cancer,
- Uterine Cancer
- And ovarian cancer.
- Skin cancer,
- Brain tumors,
- Throat cancer,
- Malignant diseases of the skeleton,
- Cancer in the area of the mouth,
- Lymphomas (malignant changes in the lymph nodes)
- And thyroid cancer.
Breast carcinoma or breast cancer is a malignant new formation of the breast tissue. A distinction is made between ductal carcinomas, which develop from cells in the milk ducts, and lobular carcinomas, which originate from the glandular lobules.
There are other types of breast cancer such as Paget’s disease (nipple cancer), but they are much less common. In addition to hormonal and genetic factors, nutrition plays an important role in the development of breast cancer. If female family members have had breast cancer in the past, the highest risk of developing breast cancer is between 55 and 65 years of age.
Breast cancer can, but need not, occur with the following symptoms, among others: nodular changes, retractions, increase in size, redness, secretion of the mammary gland and palpable lumps in the armpit. In addition to imaging procedures such as mammography, ultrasound and MRI, tissue sampling (biopsy) is also used in diagnostics. The so-called BIRADS score (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) is used to classify the mammography findings.
A basic distinction is made between non-invasive and invasive breast cancer. While the former is restricted to the breast and has good chances of healing, the invasive carcinoma spreads more frequently via the lymphatic and bloodstream. In addition to surgical removal, chemotherapeutic and hormonal therapy options as well as targeted antibody therapies are being considered.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. It develops from the glandular cells of the organ. Its development is mainly related to three risk factors: The symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (benign enlargement) and malignant neoplasm are similar.
Those affected complain of a frequent urge to urinate, even at night, of an attenuated urinary stream and residual urinary sensation. Blood in the urine, pain when urinating and sudden back pain are also among the complaints. If there is any suspicion, the urologist will perform a palpation of the anus (digital rectal examination).
He also determines the PSA value (prostate-specific antigen), the level of which may be indicative of prostate cancer. The suspected diagnosis is confirmed by means of an ultrasound examination, also via the anus, and the taking of tissue samples by means of punch biopsy. The removed cells are histologically examined and may initiate further diagnostic steps.
If there is a localized tumor, surgical removal of the prostate or radiotherapy can be performed. Radiation therapy may follow if necessary. Hormone therapy is also used if the cancer has already metastasized to lymph nodes and bones.
- An age over 50 years,
- Illnesses on the male side of the family
- And high-fat nutrition.
About 85% of all lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancers, which can be divided histologically into three groups (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma). Approximately 10 to 15% are small cell lung carcinoma, which is characterized by rapid metastasis. In addition to genetic factors, a longstanding smoking history and chronic, tobacco-associated complaints such as bronchitis play a role in its development.
In connection with lung cancer, the warning signals include long-lasting coughing, hoarseness, breathing difficulties under stress, bloody sputum, worsening of existing cough, pain in the chest and when swallowing, weight loss and increased exhaustion. If there is a suspected diagnosis of lung cancer, an X-ray, CT, blood test and video-assisted bronchoscopy with biopsy (tissue removal) are performed to diagnose lung cancer. If the suspicion is confirmed, further examinations to determine the stage of the lung cancer follow.
The therapy of lung cancer depends strongly on the extent of the tumor. If sufficient healthy lung tissue remains, the affected lung sections are surgically removed. Chemotherapy can be administered before or after surgery to reduce the size of the tumor.Radiation therapy can be combined with chemotherapy, or it can be done individually after surgery.
While cancer in the small intestine is rare, the development of malignant tumors in the large intestine is much more common. In most cases these are degenerated polyps, so-called adenomas. In the course of a colonoscopy (colonoscopy), such preliminary stages can be discovered and removed in time.
In addition to genetic factors, food-borne pollutants also play a role in the development of intestinal polyps. Associated with an increased risk of degeneration are an unhealthy diet, smoking, genetic components, obesity and an age above 50 years. Bowel cancer often becomes symptomatic only in later stages.
Persistent abdominal pain, changes in stool habits and appearance as well as anemia are considered warning signs. Diagnostics include colonoscopy, laboratory tests and imaging techniques. Therapeutically, the aim is to remove the tumor as completely as possible. Depending on the extent of the tumor, radiation and/or chemotherapy is used. In some cases, the creation of an artificial bowel outlet is necessary.
