Cancer

Cancer is a complex disease in which body cells multiply uncontrollably and destroy healthy tissue. Healthy cells normally go through a regulated cycle of growth, division, and death. However, in cancer, this process gets out of control. Cancer cells develop when genetic changes occur in a cell and impair the normal mechanisms of cell regulation. This leads to uncontrolled division of the affected cells and potential tumor formation.

More specifically, the term cancer encompasses a variety of different cancerous diseases that differ depending on the affected tissue and cell type. For example, there are carcinomas that originate from skin or mucous membrane cells, and sarcomas that develop in bones or muscles.

Regardless of their type, all cancers share the common characteristic that they evade the body’s own control mechanism of cell division and can spread unhindered.

The terms tumor and cancer are often used synonymously, however, they don’t mean the same thing. A tumor is initially a tissue growth that occurs due to uncontrolled cell growth. A tumor doesn’t necessarily have to be malignant. There are benign and malignant tumors. Cancer, on the other hand, always refers to a malignant cell change where cancer cells can invade surrounding tissue and form metastases.

A key difference between tumor and cancer is that not every tumor is automatically a form of cancer. Benign tumors typically grow slowly, remain at their original site, and don’t destroy surrounding tissue. Therefore, they often don’t pose a direct health risk and can frequently be surgically removed. An example of this would be lipomas, which are commonly known as fatty tissue tumors. In contrast, cancer is always malignant. Cancer cells have the ability to grow, infiltrate into neighboring tissue and spread to other body regions through blood or lymphatic vessels. This metastatic behavior makes the disease so dangerous. Thus, a malignant tumor is referred to as cancer when it shows these invasive properties. Through thorough examination and diagnostics, it can be determined whether a tumor is benign or malignant. Therefore, it’s important to use these terms correctly to avoid misunderstandings.

The development of cancer is a complex biological process in which normal body cells transform into invasively growing cancer cells. This typically leads to the formation of tumors that destroy surrounding tissue and potentially spread to other organs of the body through the lymphatic or blood vessels. Fundamentally, this means that the natural processes of cell division and regeneration become imbalanced, leading to abnormal cell proliferation. During cell division, errors in DNA can sometimes occur. In most cases, however, these errors are corrected by repair mechanisms in the body. But when these repair mechanisms fail, these errors can be passed on during cell division and lead to the development of cancer cells. The development of cancer can be influenced by a combination of various factors. Genetic predisposition plays an important role, as certain hereditary diseases can increase the risk of cancer. Also, the probability of developing cancer increases with age, as more cell changes accumulate over the course of life. Furthermore, hormonal imbalances can also influence cancer development.

Understanding cancer development is therefore crucial for developing targeted therapies and implementing effective preventive measures, ensuring that cancer treatments can be as precise as possible and more individually tailored to patients’ needs.

Cancer is characterized by several typical features that distinguish it from normal cellular processes in the body. The most important properties of cancer include uncontrolled cell growth, the ability to invade neighboring tissue, and the formation of metastases. These properties make cancer particularly dangerous as it can destroy surrounding tissue and spread to other areas of the body. The following describes the central characteristics of cancer in detail:

All these properties enable cancer to override the body’s normal cellular processes and spread both locally and systemically.

There are numerous types of cancer that differ depending on the affected body region and cell type. Cancers develop in different organs and tissues, with each form having its own cellular structures, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options. The most common types of cancer are particularly well documented and are often detected early, which can significantly improve treatment chances. Here’s an overview of the most well-known types of cancer:

This list is only a small excerpt of the most common types of cancer occurring in society. Each of these cancers has its own causes, risk factors, and treatment options. In general, however, early detection is crucial to improve prognosis and find individualized therapy.

The causes of cancer are diverse and can be attributed to various interacting factors that can disrupt normal cell function:

The signs and symptoms of cancer can vary greatly depending on the type and stage of cancer. While some symptoms are specific to certain types of cancer, others are more general and may indicate various tumor diseases. It is important to pay attention to noticeable changes in the body, as many cancers are asymptomatic in early stages.

Here’s an overview of the most common general symptoms of cancer:

These rather specific symptoms can also be caused by other, less severe illnesses, which is why a thorough medical examination is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis. Nevertheless, we want to provide you with a brief overview of these symptoms:

Cancer can be diagnosed through a careful combination of different diagnostic procedures aimed at identifying cancer, determining its exact type and original location, and establishing the stage of the disease. The most important methods include imaging procedures, laboratory tests, and biopsies.

Imaging procedures such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound are a central component of cancer diagnostics. These techniques make it possible to visualize tumors and get a precise idea of their size, location, and possible spread.

In addition to imaging procedures, laboratory tests are also used, which can provide valuable indicators of cancer. Blood tests, stool tests, and urine tests are used to look for specific parameters and, if applicable, cancer markers that may be elevated in some types of cancer. For example, in prostate cancer, the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) level can be measured in the blood, or in ovarian cancer, the marker CA-125. Although these markers are not always specific to cancer, they can serve as indicators and prompt the need for further investigation.

A biopsy is a procedure to confirm the final cancer diagnosis. This involves taking a tissue sample from the suspicious tumor area and examining it in the laboratory. This not only confirms whether it is a malignant tumor but also determines exactly what type of cancer it is. The biopsy is therefore crucial for planning the right therapy and more accurately assessing the prognosis.

Overall, these diagnostic procedures form an important basis for early detection and precise determination of the type of cancer, which significantly increases the chances of successful treatment.

The classification of cancer stages is an essential part of cancer diagnosis as it helps determine the severity of the disease and select the best treatment strategy. The stages are based on how far the cancer has progressed and whether it has spread to neighboring tissue or other organs. Here is an overview of the main cancer stages:

The treatment of cancer depends on many factors, particularly the type of tumor, its stage, and additionally the patient’s general health condition. The main goal of cancer therapy is to either completely remove the tumor or control its growth to maintain the patient’s quality of life. Depending on the stage and behavior of the cancer, various treatment approaches may be considered, which are often combined.

Conventional cancer therapies form the foundation of cancer treatment and have proven to be effective. They aim to either completely remove the tumor or control and reduce its growth. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, they are used either individually or in combination.

Surgery is often the first and most important therapeutic method, especially when cancer is detected early and has not yet formed metastases. The goal is to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue as completely as possible. In some cases, lymph nodes may also need to be removed to prevent further spread of the cancer.

Chemotherapy is particularly used when cancer has already spread throughout the body via the blood or lymphatic system. This treatment uses medications that attack and destroy rapidly growing cancer cells. However, healthy cells can also be affected since cancer developed from these cells and thus bears a high similarity. This can lead to side effects such as hair loss, nausea, or immune deficiency.

In radiation therapy, high-energy rays are used to specifically destroy cancer cells or inhibit their growth. It is often used as a complementary treatment to surgery or in combination with chemotherapy. Particularly for more locally confined tumors, it can be an effective alternative to surgery.

These classic cancer therapies have high success rates in many cases, especially when cancer is detected early. The goal is to achieve the best possible cure or at least slow down the progression of the disease.

In recent years, modern cancer therapies have evolved rapidly. Newer approaches such as immunotherapy and molecular therapies offer more targeted and often more tolerable treatment options compared to conventional methods.

For example, immunotherapy utilizes the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells more effectively. This involves either activating immune cells or using targeted antibodies that mark cancer cells and thereby inhibit their growth. This therapy has shown particularly promising results in treating skin cancer (melanoma), lung cancer, and certain types of blood cancer.

Molecular therapies, on the other hand, specifically interfere with cancer cell signaling pathways and block mechanisms responsible for their uncontrolled growth. These include targeted medications that attack specific genetic mutations in cancer cells, as well as gene therapies designed to correct faulty cellular processes.

These new therapeutic approaches open up new treatment possibilities, especially when conventional therapies are not effective or cause severe side effects. In many cases, they are already being used in addition to classical methods to achieve the best possible results.

In addition to established medical treatments, there are numerous supportive measures that can help strengthen the body during therapy, alleviate unpleasant side effects, and improve patients’ overall well-being. Nutrition, micronutrients, and complementary therapeutic approaches play a significant role in this context.

A healthy and balanced diet can strengthen the immune system and support the body’s regeneration. Studies indicate that a diet rich in antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, and adequate protein can promote better recovery after cancer therapy. Vitamin D is particularly important, as it has been proven to support the immune system and may potentially slow cancer progression.

Complementary therapy approaches such as acupuncture, meditation, and breathing techniques are frequently used to alleviate treatment-related symptoms. They can help reduce common side effects of cancer therapy, including pain, nausea, and sleep problems.

Hyperthermia is a complementary procedure in cancer therapy that focuses on targeted heating of tumor tissue. By increasing the temperature in the tumor area, cancer cells are weakened and made more sensitive to other treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy. This occurs because tumor cells handle heat less effectively compared to healthy cells, leading to impaired function or destruction of the cancer cells.

There are different forms of hyperthermia:

Mistletoe therapy is one of the most commonly used complementary methods in cancer treatment. The aim of mistletoe therapy is to stimulate the immune system, influence inflammatory responses, and potentially promote programmed cell death of tumor cells. Mistletoe therapy is typically used as a supportive complementary therapy and is usually administered through subcutaneous injections. Studies suggest that it can help improve the quality of life for cancer patients by reducing fatigue, nausea, and pain, while enhancing overall well-being.

Ozone therapy is another complementary therapeutic approach aimed at improving oxygen supply in the body. Medical ozone is administered in low doses to enhance blood circulation, increase oxygen transport in the blood, and stimulate the immune system. While some patients use ozone therapy as a supportive measure, there are currently no definitive studies demonstrating direct tumor-inhibiting effects. Nevertheless, some studies indicate that it may help reduce experienced fatigue and improve overall well-being.

The prognosis and survival rate for cancer depend on various factors, such as the cancer stage, type of cancer, and time of detection. The earlier cancer is detected, the higher the chances of cure. In early stages, the prognosis is very good because the tumor is locally confined and hasn’t formed metastases yet. In more advanced stages, when cancer has already spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs, the chances of cure decrease, and treatment often aims to extend life and maintain quality of life. Survival rates vary depending on the type and stage of cancer. For cancer types such as breast cancer and skin cancer, the 5-year survival rates are relatively high when diagnosed early, while for others, like lung cancer or pancreatic cancer, they can be significantly lower in advanced stages. In the terminal stage of cancer, when the tumor has already metastasized, treatment focuses less on cure and more on alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life. Palliative therapies such as pain management, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy can help relieve patients’ symptoms and slow down disease progression as much as possible. During this phase, the main focus is on providing the patient with the best possible quality of life.

In the following, we want to address some questions about cancer in detail.

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