what is cancer easy definition

What is the cause of cancer?

Some of the most prevalent cancers in the United States are known to be highly preventable by human decisions. Skin cancers like melanoma emerge in large part because of prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, and lung cancers can often be traced back to tobacco use.

What does the term cancer refer to?

What Does the Term "Cancer" Mean? In simple terms cancer refers to uncontrolled growth of cells, the building blocks of a body. But what are the building blocks of a body?

What is the medical definition of cancer?

cancer (KAN-ser) A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.

What are cancers like?

Many people say there is no pain when asked "What does cancer feel like." The reason behind this is that cancers don't have any nerves. Cancers can only cause pain when the tumor presses on the nerves close to the region in which it is growing. If the tumor stays clear of the nerves, you won't feel any pain because of it. Cancers can also cause other symptoms like fatigue, weight loss and fever even if they cause no pain. This happens because most of the body's energy is taken up by cancer ...

What is a simple definition of cancer?

(KAN-ser) A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer.

What is the definition of cancer for kids?

Cancer is a disease that happens when bad cells stop the good cells from doing their job. These bad cells can grow into a lump and can spread to other parts of the body. Cancer is the name for over 200 diseases in which abnormal cells grow and rapidly divide. These cells usually develop into a lump called a tumour.

What causes cancer?

Cancer is caused by changes (mutations) to the DNA within cells. The DNA inside a cell is packaged into a large number of individual genes, each of which contains a set of instructions telling the cell what functions to perform, as well as how to grow and divide.

Why is cancer called cancer?

Origin of the word cancer In Greek, these words refer to a crab, most likely applied to the disease because the finger-like spreading projections from a cancer called to mind the shape of a crab. The Roman physician, Celsus (25 BC - 50 AD), later translated the Greek term into cancer, the Latin word for crab.

What causes cancer in kids?

In children, a genetic condition, such as Down syndrome, can sometimes increase the risk of cancer. Kids who have had chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer are more likely to get cancer again. But most cases of childhood cancer happen because of random mutations (changes) in the genes of growing cells.

What are 3 facts about cancer?

Key Cancer Facts10 million people die from cancer every year.At least one third of common cancers are preventable.Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide.70% of cancer deaths occur in low-to-middle income countries.More items...

Can a child have cancer?

Childhood cancers can occur suddenly, without early symptoms, and have a high rate of cure. The most common children's cancer is leukemia. Other cancers that affect children include brain tumors, lymphoma, and soft tissue sarcoma. Symptoms and treatment depend on the type of cancer and how advanced it is.

Can cancer cancer?

Even if one cancer cell is left behind, it can grow and divide to become a new tumour. A new tumour can start to grow in the same area of the body where the cancer first started, or the cancer may have spread through the blood or lymphatic system to another part of the body, where it grows into a new tumour.

What is cancer?

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancer develops when the body’s normal control mechanism stops working. Old cells...

How common is cancer?

For decades, the overall rate of new cases in the United States has been trending slowly downward, but that doesn’t mean that cancer is now uncommo...

What are the most common forms of cancer?

Cancer may occur anywhere in the body. In women, breast cancer is one of the most common. In men, it’s prostate cancer. Lung cancer and colorectal...

How do you get cancer?

Experts don’t yet have all the answers about what causes cancer. There are, however, certain characteristics—called risk factors—that may increase...

How do you know whether you’re a good candidate for a cancer screening?

You may need to get screened for certain types of cancer if you: Have had cancer before; Have a family member who’s been diagnosed with cancer; Hav...

What is a cancer stage, and what does it mean?

Your doctor will likely describe your cancer by referencing its stage. Your cancer’s stage can tell you and your care team a lot about your disease...

How is cancer treated?

Treatment options depend on the type of cancer, its stage, if the cancer has spread and your general health. The goal of treatment is to kill as ma...

What is oncology?

The branch of medicine dedicated to diagnosing, treating and researching cancer is known as oncology, while a physician who works in the field is c...

What can you do to manage the side effects of cancer treatment?

Supportive care services describe a broad range of therapies designed to combat side effects and maintain well-being. Treating cancer requires focu...

What does the future hold for cancer treatment?

The future of cancer treatment lies in providing patients with an even greater level of personalization. Doctors are beginning to offer treatment o...

What is the cancer stage?

When a cancer is found, tests are done to see how big the cancer is and whether it has spread from where it started. This is called the cancer's stage.

Why do cancer cells die?

You are made up of trillions of cells that over your lifetime normally grow and divide as needed. When cells are abnormal or get old, they usually die. Cancer starts when something goes wrong in this process and your cells keep making new cells and the old or abnormal ones don't die when they should. As the cancer cells grow out of control, they can crowd out normal cells. This makes it hard for your body to work the way it should.

What makes cancer different from benign tumors?

What makes cancer different is that it can spread to other parts of the body while benign tumors do not. Cancer cells can break away from the site where the cancer started. These cells can travel to other parts of the body and end up in the lymph nodes or other body organs causing problems with normal functions.

What is a hematoid cancer?

Hematologic (blood) cancers are cancers of the blood cells, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

What is the name of the cancer that starts in the breast?

There are many types of cancer. Cancer can develop anywhere in the body and is named for the part of the body where it started. For instance, breast cancer that starts in the breast is still called breast cancer even if it spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body.

What is the best treatment for cancer?

Some types of cancer are best treated with surgery; others respond better to drugs such as chemotherapy. Often 2 or more treatments are used to get the best results.

How does cancer spread?

Cancer can spread from where it started (the primary site) to other parts of the body.

What is cancer in the body?

What is cancer? Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancer develops when the body’s normal control mechanism stops working. Old cells do not die and instead grow out of control, forming new, abnormal cells. These extra cells may form a mass of tissue, called a tumor. Some cancers, such as leukemia, do not form tumors.

What are the most common forms of cancer?

Cancer may occur anywhere in the body. In women, breast cancer is one of the most common. In men, it’s prostate cancer. Lung cancer and colorectal cancer affect both men and women in high numbers.

How is cancer treated?

The goal of treatment is to kill as many cancerous cells while reducing damage to normal cells nearby. Advances in technology make this possible.

What does the future hold for cancer treatment?

The future of cancer treatment lies in providing patients with an even greater level of personalization. Doctors are beginning to offer treatment options based on the genetic changes occurring in a specific tumor.

What is oncology?

The branch of medicine dedicated to diagnosing, treating and researching cancer is known as oncology, while a physician who works in the field is called an oncologist. Some oncologists focus solely on particular cancer types or treatments. Depending on the type, stage and location of a cancer, multiple oncology specialists may be involved in a patient’s care. The field of oncology has three main specialties—medical, surgical and radiation—and numerous sub-specialties.

What type of doctor treats cancer?

Many cancer types are treated by an oncology sub-specialty. Gynecologic oncologists, for example, are trained to treat cancers of the female reproductive system such as those affecting the uterus, cervix, or ovaries, while hematologic oncologists specialize in diagnosing and treating blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma). A neuro-oncologist treats cancers of the brain, spine and peripheral nerves.

What is the difference between a medical oncologist and a surgical oncologist?

A medical oncologist is also the doctor a cancer patient will continue to see after treatment, for checkups over the long-term. A surgical oncologist is a surgeon who specializes in performing biopsies and removing cancerous tumors and surrounding tissue, as well as other cancer-related operations.

What Is Cancer?

Cancer is actually a group of many related diseases that all have to do with cells. Cells are the very small units that make up all living things, including the human body. There are billions of cells in each person's body.

How is cancer treated?

Cancer is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation — or sometimes a combination of these treatments. The choice of treatment depends on: 1 the type of cancer someone has (the kind of abnormal cells causing the cancer) 2 the stage of the tumor (meaning how much the cancer has spread within the body, if at all)

What happens when cancer cells clump together?

A growing tumor becomes a lump of cancer cells that can destroy the normal cells around the tumor and damage the body's healthy tissues. This can make someone very sick.

What do doctors do when they suspect cancer?

If the doctor suspects cancer, he or she can do tests to figure out if that's the problem. A doctor might order X-rays and blood tests and recommend the person go to see an oncologist (say: on-KAH-luh-jist). An oncologist is a doctor who takes care of and treats cancer patients. The oncologist will likely run other tests to find out if someone really has cancer. If so, tests can determine what kind of cancer it is and if it has spread to other parts of the body. Based on the results, the doctor will decide the best way to treat it.

How many people have cancer surgery?

Surgery is the oldest form of treatment for cancer — 3 out of every 5 people with cancer will have an operation to remove it. During surgery, the doctor tries to take out as many cancer cells as possible. Some healthy cells or tissue may also be removed to make sure that all the cancer is gone.

What is chemo therapy?

Chemotherapy (say: kee-mo-THER-uh-pee) is the use of anti-cancer medicines (drugs) to treat cancer. These medicines are sometimes taken as a pill, but usually are given through a special intravenous (say: in-truh-VEE-nus) line, also called an IV.

Can you catch cancer from someone else?

They do know that cancer is not contagious. You can't catch it from someone else who has it — cancer isn't caused by germs, like colds or the flu are. So don't be afraid of other kids — or anyone else — with cancer. You can talk to, play with, and hug someone with cancer. Kids can't get cancer from anything they do either.

What is cancer in medical terms?

Medical Definition of cancer. 1 : a malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by invasion and systemically by metastasis. 2 : an abnormal state marked by a cancer.

What is cancer in the zodiac?

English Language Learners Definition of cancer. : a serious disease caused by cells that are not normal and that can spread to one or many parts of the body. : something bad or dangerous that causes other bad things to happen. : the fourth sign of the zodiac that comes between Gemini and Leo and has a crab as its symbol.

Does eating help with cancer?

Eating certain foods may help reduce the risk of cancer. Advanced cancers are more difficult to treat. I'm a Taurus, but my best friend is a Cancer.

What are the different types of cancer?

There are several different types of cancers: 1 Carcinomas are cancers that arise in the epithelium (the layer of cells covering the body's surface and lining the internal organs and various glands). Ninety percent of human cancers fall into this category. Carcinomas can be subdivided into two types: adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Adenocarcinomas are cancers that develop in an organ or a gland, while squamous cell carcinomas refer to cancers that originate in the skin. 2 Melanomas also originate in the skin, usually in the pigment cells (melanocytes). 3 Sarcomasare cancers of the supporting tissues of the body, such as bone, muscle and blood vessels. 4 Cancers of the blood and lymph glands are called leukemias and lymphomas respectively. 5 Gliomas are cancers of the nerve tissue.

What is the epithelium of cancer?

Carcinomas are cancers that arise in the epithelium (the layer of cells covering the body's surface and lining the internal organs and various glands). Ninety percent of human cancers fall into this category. Carcinomas can be subdivided into two types: adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.

What are the major cancers that affect most Americans?

In addition, cancer of the kidneys, ovaries, uterus, pancreas, bladder, rectum, and blood and lymph node cancer (leukemias and lymphomas) are also included among the 12 major cancers that affect most Americans. Cancer, by definition, is a disease of the genes. A gene is a small part of DNA, which is the master molecule of the cell.

What percentage of cancers are diagnosed in older people?

Since the occurrence of cancer increases as individuals age, most of the cases are seen in adults, middle-aged or older. Sixty percent of all cancers are diagnosed in people who are older than 65 years of age. The most common cancers are skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer (in women), and prostate cancer (in men).

How much of the world's cancer deaths are caused by viruses?

In the last 20 years, scientists have obtained evidence to show that approximately 15% of the world's cancer deaths can be traced to viruses, bacteria, or parasites. The most common cancer-causing pathogens and the cancers associated with them are shown in table form.

Why do cancer cells have DNA mutations?

A majority of cancers are caused by changes in the cell's DNA because of damage due to the environment. Environmental factors that are responsible for causing the initial mutation in the DNA are called carcinogens, and there are many types.

How many lung cancer cases are caused by smoking?

Tobacco. Eighty to 90% of lung cancer cases occur in smokers. Smoking has also been shown to be a contributory factor in cancers of upper respiratory tract, esophagus, larynx, bladder, pancreas, and probably liver, stomach, breast, and kidney as well.

What causes cancer in the human body?

The gene mutations you're born with and those that you acquire throughout your life work together to cause cancer.

How do you know if you have cancer?

Some general signs and symptoms associated with, but not specific to, cancer, include: Fatigue. Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin. Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain.

How many mutations do you need to have to have cancer?

It's not clear just how many mutations must accumulate for cancer to form. It's likely that this varies among cancer types.

How do cancer cells know when to stop growing?

Normal cells know when to stop growing so that you have just the right number of each type of cell. Cancer cells lose the controls (tumor suppressor genes) that tell them when to stop growing. A mutation in a tumor suppressor gene allows cancer cells to continue growing and accumulating.

How does the immune system react to cancer?

In some cases the body's immune system may react to the presence of cancer by attacking healthy cells. Called paraneoplastic syndromes, these very rare reactions can lead to a variety of signs and symptoms, such as difficulty walking and seizures. Cancer that spreads.

What causes cancer cells to stop growing?

Causes. Cancer is caused by changes (mutations) to the DNA within cells. The DNA inside a cell is packaged into a large number of individual genes, each of which contains a set of instructions telling the cell what functions to perform, as well as how to grow and divide. Errors in the instructions can cause the cell to stop its normal function ...

What is the second leading cause of death in the world?

Cancer refers to any one of a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Cancer often has the ability to spread throughout your body. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the world.

What is cancer in medical terms?

cancer. Listen to pronunciation. (KAN-ser) A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer.

Where does cancer start?

Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue.