Cancer

Definition A group of neoplastic diseases in which normal body cells become malignant ones –NEOPLASTIC- new or abnormal growth, uncontrolled and progressive –MALIGNANT-become progressively worse and to result in death; tend to be invasive

Statistics Breast CA most common cancer in women Prostate CA most common cancer in men African American women lower survival rate African American men occurs earlier and lower survival rate

Causes of Cancer External Factors –Carcinogenic agents or radiation Internal Factor –Hormones –Immune conditions –Inherited mutations

Factors that contribute Environmental –Maybe account for 50% –Exposure may have been many years before Hereditary Biological –Viruses –Hormone –Chance increases with age

Classifications of Cancer Sarcomas –Mesenchymal like bone or muscle –Very destructive and rapid grower Carcinomas –Epithelial tissue like breast, stomach, uterus, skin Blood Nerve

CharacteristicBenignMalignant Mode of growthSlow Encapsulated Rapid Invades surrounding tissue Microscopic Exam Look like tissue of origin Appears abnormal SpreadLocalizedMetastasis—lymph to blood and other tissue RecurrenceRareCommon PathogenesisMay produce symptoms of pressure Pain often Fatal