Is cancer curable?
The diagnosis “cancer” does not automatically mean a reduction in life expectancy. About 40 percent of patients with cancer are cured thanks to appropriate therapy measures. The trend is rising.
In the remaining cases, it is not possible to remove the tumor cells completely or permanently from the body. A palliative therapy is initiated, which includes life-prolonging and symptom-relieving measures. Even if a complete cure is not possible, many forms of cancer can be controlled well in this way.
In general, the prospect of a cure depends on many factors. These include early detection of the disease, the type of cancer, the extent of the tumor and the differentiation of the cells. Especially in the early stages there is a chance of cure.
This is especially true for some common types of cancer such as prostate, breast, skin and colon cancer. A spontaneous remission, i.e. the regression of a malignant tumor without therapeutic intervention, is observed in very rare cases. It is more common in renal cell carcinomas and melanomas as well as lymphomas of malignant etiology.
What does terminal cancer look like?
End-stage cancer is a condition that excludes a definitive cure, usually due to metastases, and heralds imminent death. In this phase, distressing symptoms occur, whose treatment and simultaneous relief is the main focus. Those affected often suffer from severe pain, which must be treated with sufficient painkillers.
They are partly caused directly by the tumor and partly indirectly by a weakening of the body. Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting, which are associated with the intake of numerous drugs. Restricted breathing and even shortness of breath can be among the symptoms, as can disorders of the nervous system.
As a result of declining heart function and inflammatory infiltrates, fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity and in the chest between the lungs and the chest wall (water in the lungs). Punctures reduce the resulting pressure. Patients and their relatives have access to outpatient and inpatient help, which is individually coordinated in cooperation with specialized palliative care physicians.
The development of breast cancer, prostate cancer and skin cancer cannot be prevented. Active protection is not possible because the trigger is often purely accidental. The probability of genetic errors in cell division increases with age.
In these cases, early screening examinations play an important role. Leukemias, lymphomas and brain tumors also usually develop without external influence. With other types of cancer, on the other hand, there is the possibility of taking active measures.
The risk of developing cancer can be reduced by a healthy lifestyle and by avoiding certain factors. Not smoking, a balanced diet with little animal fats and sugar and abstaining from alcohol have been proven to reduce the risk of cancer. Also important are an adequate body weight, regular physical activity, little direct UV radiation from sun exposure, avoidance of radioactive radiation, no intake of hormone substitutes and implementation of all recommended vaccinations, especially against hepatitis B and human papilloma viruses.Breastfeeding also prevents the development of cancer in women.