Cancer or cancerous disease, which has already become colloquial, has become an important term, especially in the field of both human and veterinary medicine.
What is cancer?
Graphic illustration and infogram of a typical cancer cell. Behind these collective terms cancer or cancerous diseases hide new developments of endogenous and degenerated cells, which, however, are characterized by a malignancy, a disease-causing effect. The new formation of these aggressive and malignant cells occurs in every organ and in every type of tissue of the organism and has special characteristics. When people speak of cancer, they mean that the body’s own cells, which develop into a later tumor, divide in an uncontrolled manner and destroy the adjacent healthy tissues.
Causes
The causes of cancer are enormously complex and, unfortunately, have not yet been fully investigated. This is true not only for the causes, but also for the so-called cancer-triggering factors. In general, the causes of cancer are assumed to be both internal and external factors and triggers that lead to cancer either individually or in combination. Uncontrolled and degenerative growth of body cells may be based on unhealthy or altered genetic material. The causes that contribute to abnormal genetic material are also diverse and can be influenced by environmental factors. External and environmental influences of cancer include environmental toxins such as asbestos or various carcinogenic chemicals, as well as radioactive radiation, which can cause cancer. These toxins can be found in or on food, in water, or in the air, and can enter the body through a variety of pathways. Various cancer-causing drugs can also promote the development of cancer.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Nonspecific symptoms of cancer may include unwanted weight loss, constant fatigue, and a decrease in physical performance. Malignancy is suspected if these symptoms are accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, or a palpable lump. Depending on the organ affected, a variety of other symptoms may indicate cancer: Flatulence, abdominal pain, altered bowel habits and blood in the stool occur in colorectal cancer; black discolored stools (tarry stools) in conjunction with stomach pain, vomiting and loss of appetite suggest stomach cancer. If a cough persists for a long time and does not improve with medication, lung cancer must be considered. This is particularly the case if bloody sputum, shortness of breath and chest pain are also present. Chronic hoarseness and persistent difficulty swallowing can be caused by cancerous tumors in the area of the throat and larynx, and skin cancer can be noticeable by a change in color or the growth of moles. Headaches, visual disturbances and neurological deficits occur with brain tumors. In women, nodular changes in the breast or armpit are often the first signs of breast cancer, while cervical cancer is only manifested in advanced stages by bleeding or brownish discharge. Men should consult a specialist for clarification of a possible testicular or prostate tumor if there is hardening in the testicular area and difficulty urinating.
Complications
Because cancer is a serious disease that can also be life-threatening, complications can always occur during the course of the disease. Since cancer can be fatal and lead to multiple consequences in the body, each tumor should be treated individually by specialists. Both without and with medical treatment, patients may experience cancer-related pain in the body. Many sufferers complain of difficulty breathing as the disease progresses. Because cancer and its treatment affect bowel function, diarrhea or constipation may occur. Often, the weight loss of sufferers is the first symptom that points to a possible cancer. Some cancer patients suffer from severe emaciation with sunken eyes, sagging skin, protruding bones and a massive loss of fat and muscle mass. In the course of cancer treatment, patients often experience nausea.The cytostatic drugs used in chemotherapy, but also extensive radiation, can cause malaise, nausea and vomiting in the affected person. If daughter tumors develop in the body, they can destroy tissue in other organs and lead to functional disorders. Paraneoplastic syndromes are symptoms in various organ systems, such as disturbed hormonal regulation of water balance due to lung cancer.
When should you see a doctor?
Medical advice is needed for problems with speech, vision, or movement. Numbness, difficulty speaking and signs of paralysis may also indicate a tumor, such as one that presses on nerve cords or interferes with organ functions. People who repeatedly experience severe headaches that do not seem to have an underlying cause should see their family doctor. Unexplained weight loss should also be clarified. People who visibly lose weight within a month may be suffering from cancer or another serious illness that needs to be clarified. The same applies to unusual changes in the breast area, such as itching, pain, lumps or secretion. Women who notice unusual bleeding from the vagina should consult their gynecologist. Changed bowel habits and other signs of illness in the gastrointestinal tract also require medical evaluation. If a persistent cough occurs or a high fever develops, it is best to consult a general practitioner immediately. Cancer can occur throughout the body and the possible signs are correspondingly varied. Therefore, medical advice should be sought with any unusual health problems. The first point of contact is the general practitioner, then, depending on the suspicion, an appropriate specialist must be consulted.
Treatment and therapy
Lymphocytes are components of the blood. They belong to the natural “killer cells” as well as to the white blood cells, the leukocytes. In the image, lymphocytes destroy cancer cells. White: lymphocytes, green: cancer cells. Click to enlarge. A wide variety of procedures are currently used to treat cancer, both independently and together. Characteristic of oncological treatments are, in addition to chemotherapy, radiation treatment with radioactive rays and the use of cancer-destroying and growth-inhibiting preparations that work on the basis of hormones. In addition to these forms of therapy, oncologists also achieve great success with the use of surgical methods, in which the cancerous tissue is removed. In the majority of cases, when the suspicion of cancer is confirmed, surgical procedures are performed. These are particularly successful if they are performed at an early stage. In addition, metastases are also removed within the operations.
Outlook and prognosis
A therapy for cancer depends on the type of tumor and the organ affected. Thus, the therapeutic options that are used are completely different. However, there are therapies that are commonly used. These include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. All forms of therapy draw on the current, scientific state of the art in medicine. Through the development and continuous improvement of therapies, it has been possible to significantly improve the survival rate of cancer patients. Medicine is based here on the absolute survival rate with the period of five years. The chances of surviving cancer have increased worldwide. Specific follow-up treatments, such as immunotherapies, can help the human organism to combat harmful substances. Here, too, enormous progress has been made. Immunotherapy is now seen as a beacon of hope in the treatment of cancer. Cancer patients who would like to know more about the probable course of their disease will find the best and most experienced advisor and expert in their attending physician. With the help of individual findings, the physician can provide the correct and important answers and estimate how the cancer disease is likely to progress.
Prevention
To prevent cancer, it makes sense to reconsider one’s lifestyle, to pay attention to an optimal body weight, and to stop consuming nicotine. In addition, regular physical exercise is good in terms of preventing cancer.Protection against intensive and prolonged exposure to the sun and a change in diet are of central importance in cancer prevention. It is advisable to give preference to plant-based foods over spicy, fatty and heavily fried animal foods. Reducing alcoholic beverages to the lowest possible limit has a prophylactic effect against the development of cancer. Cancer screening should not be underestimated. These refer to different forms of cancer and are becoming increasingly important, especially after a certain age, for both women and men. This concerns mammography for the detection of breast cancer, cancer screening examinations of the intestine as well as prostate examinations. As we age, however, it is important to also pay attention to external body changes and to have a hepatitis B vaccination.
Follow-up care
After the actual cancer treatment, those affected need ongoing care. In addition to regular medical examinations and seeking further therapies, aftercare also includes lifestyle changes. Those affected must now rebuild their quality of life. The support of the responsible physicians as well as acquaintances and friends is also important in coming to terms with the disease. The general practitioner can consult cancer counseling centers, psychooncologists and socio-legal contacts. Attending a self-help group is also an important part of aftercare. Depending on the type of cancer, nutritionists, sports groups and other instances may also need to be consulted. The aftercare plan is drawn up together with the doctor and is based on the symptoms, the type of cancer, the general course of the disease and the prognosis. In the first phase, when patients are still coping with the consequences of the disease and treatment, aftercare is particularly important. It is crucial to support patients until remission is achieved. The risk of relapse decreases each year. The rule of thumb is five years, although again the type of cancer is critical. Medical rehabilitation also includes taking anti-hormones and other medications, if necessary. In cases of protracted disease, follow-up and follow-up care merge. The details of follow-up care are discussed at the discharge consultation or at a separate appointment.
What you can do yourself
A cancer disease often completely disrupts the everyday life of an affected person and makes many things seem pointless. In the context of self-help, all things are therefore useful that help to continue to have a structured daily routine despite the disease and to regain mental stability. This is where self-help groups for people with cancer provide valuable services. In such self-help groups, people can talk about the disease, its consequences and individual fears in a protected environment. There are also special groups for relatives. Trained caregivers of such self-help groups can give important tips to those affected on how to draw strength for treatment and everyday life despite the difficult life situation. It also helps many sufferers to obtain as much medical information as possible about their cancer. This enables them to better understand information and make informed decisions about therapies. A trusting doctor-patient relationship is of great importance for an optimistic start to modern therapy options. Patients should not be afraid to ask their doctor any questions they may have. Unspoken worries and needs are a heavy burden in everyday life. Social counseling in the hospital also advise those affected about all the assistance options of structural and financial nature, which are entitled to them for the duration of the disease in everyday life.
