Cancer is a disease with which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and can spread to other parts of the body

There is not one particular part of the body where it could start

They can cause tumors which can be either benign or malignant

• A benign tumor does not invade or spread to other regions of the body. If they are removed they don’t normally grow back

• A malignant tumor (cancerous tumor) spreads, and invades other tissues in the body and form new tumors

• Tumors cause pain and deformation, and damage healthy cells

Cancer is caused by mutations (changes) to the DNA within the cells

They can be hereditary, or it can be caused by environmental factors

• Some of the environmental factors can be:

  • Physical carcinogens like radiation and ultraviolet (UV) light

  • Chemical carcinogens like smoking, alcohol, air pollution and more

  • Biological carcinogens like parasites, viruses and bacteria

Our bodies usually eliminate cells with an error in the DNA, but as we get older our body’s ability to do this decreases.

The most common type of cancer

They are formed by the epithelial cells

• Epithelial cells are the cells that make up skin, or the tissues lining organs, such as the liver

Depending on which epithelial cells the carcinoma develops is what determines the name

Some specific examples of carcinomas are:

• Adenocarcinoma

  • Start in the cells called glandular cells

  • These epithelial cells are the ones that produce mucus and fluids

  • Common adenocarcinomas cancers are: breast, colon and prostate cancer

• Basal Cell Carcinoma

  • It begins in the lower or basal layer of the epidermis

    • Basal cells are a type of cell within the skin that produces new skin cells as the old ones die off

  • The most common reason for basal cell carcinoma would be overexposure to the sun

Cancers that form in the bones and soft tissues

This includes: muscle, fat, blood vessels and fibrous tissue

There are more than 70 types of sarcomas

Osteosarcoma is the most common type

• This is bone cancer, and it starts in the cells of the bone

• It is mostly found in the long bones (femur, humerus, etc)

• It tends to occur in teenagers, but can be seen in older adults

Another example is angiosarcoma

• It is a rare caner that forms in the lining of the blood vessels and lymph vessels (collect bacteria, and waste products)

• The lymph vessels are apart of the immune system

• It tends to form on the skin of the head and neck

Cancer that starts in the blood-forming tissue of the blood marrow

Solid tumors are not formed

• Instead there is an abnormal amount of white blood cells that build up in the blood and bone marrow

• White blood cells are potent infection fighters

With the white blood cells taking up space there is no room for normal blood cells

• With less red blood cells its harder for your body to receive oxygen, control bleeding, and fight infections

• Leukemia is classified by two ways

  • the speed of progression (Acute Leukemia or Chronic Leukemia) and what types of cells are involved (Lymphatic Leukemia/ Myelogenous Leukemia)

• Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia

  • The term chronic means that it progresses more slowly than other types

  • The term lymphatic comes from the cells affected by the disease

    • A group of white blood cells called lymphocytes

  • Commonly affects older adults

Cancer that forms in the lymphatic system (fights infections)

Affects cells in the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, and other parts

• Lymphocytes change and grow out of control

Two main types

• Hodgkin's Lymphoma

  • Involves single group of nodes

  • Usually good prognosis

  • Characterised by Reed-Sternberg cells

  • Most common in young male adults & 50-70 year-olds

• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

  • More common

  • Multiple nodes

  • Mostly contain B-cell

  • Can occur in children and adults

Begin in melanocytes (make melanin), take the form of a mole

UV radiation damages DNA, which triggers changes in melanocytes, and thus uncontrollable cell growth

Four main types

• Superficial spreading melanoma

  • Most common form

• Lentigo Maligna

  • Most common in elderly

  • Grows close to the skin surface

• Acral lentiginous melanoma

  • Mostly found in people of colour

• Nodular Melanoma

  • Most aggressive type, 10-15% of cases