Cancer is a disease that can affect everyone. But! Do not be afraid and give up, as medicine does not stand still. New developments and technologies for the fight against diseases appear every day, and the treatment of cancer is at a decent level.
The concept of cancer
Cancer is a process in which the body’s cells grow and divide uncontrollably, sprouting into neighboring tissues and organs, giving metastases. The origin of cancer is not yet fully understood. The provoking factors are: the effect of carcinogens, smoking, constant contact with harmful substances, chronic diseases that irritate the structure of a healthy cell, heredity, hormonal disorders, disorders in the immunological plan, degeneration of benign tumors. Cancer is destroyed by chemotherapy, angiogenesis, targeted therapy and radiation. This is only part of the methods most often used in the treatment of patients.
Forms and stages of cancer
Morphologically, the following forms of cancer can be distinguished:
- a cerebro-ulcerative or saucer-shaped form;
- skirr;
- papillary cancer;
- infiltrative-ulcerative form;
- mushroom cancer;
- simple cancer.
International classification distinguishes between:
- adenocarcinoma;
- squamous cell carcinoma;
- undifferentiated cancer;
- glandular squamous cell carcinoma;
- unclassified cancer.
There is also a classification regarding the staging of tumors. Cancer treatment methods depend on the stages:
- Stage 1 - the tumor is not more than 2 cm in diameter, does not grow beyond the boundaries of the mucosa and does not give metastases.
- Stage 2 - the tumor has a size of 4 to 6 centimeters, can grow into the submucous or muscle layer, the presence of single metastases is possible.
- Stage 3 - the tumor captures the serous or subserous layers of tissue, grows into the near organs. Multiple metastases in the lymph nodes are observed. There are various complications.
- Stage 4 - the tumor reaches an impressive size and produces metastases significantly distant.
Clinical picture and main complaints
If we consider the clinical picture, then it is very diverse. It all depends on the affected organ, stage, degree, general health of the patient, as well as the level of lability for treatment. Distinguish between such periods of the disease and their corresponding symptoms:
1. Early or initial period. Patients complain of weakness, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss. When the tumor is localized in the lungs: dry unproductive cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, excessive sweating. If the problem is related to the stomach: nausea, vomiting, belching, chronic stomach bleeding. The affected kidney gives blood in the urine, symptoms of displacement and compression of neighboring organs.
2. The period of apparent clinical manifestations of the disease. All symptoms worsen, the general condition of the patient worsens. Metastatic processes may begin.
3. The end period. The most critical and difficult for the patient. There is a decay of the structure of the cancerous tumor on the one hand and its active germination in neighboring organs on the other. Purulent processes and massive bleeding may develop. Nerves are affected, loss of one or another function of the body occurs.
Diagnosis and diagnosis
Diagnosis and treatment of cancerous tumors in our time are at a high level. Cancer is diagnosed based on the following points:
- collection of medical history data;
- the clinical picture of the disease;
- instrumental diagnostics;
- results of laboratory studies.
Very often use the x-ray diagnostic method. An endoscopic biopsy technique is popular. Specialists use ultrasound imaging and computed tomography to make a diagnosis. Scanning with the introduction of radioactive substances is also used. Particularly complex and controversial cases force diagnostic laparotomy.
Methods of treatment and their effectiveness
Methods of treating cancer depend on many factors, such as the nature of the tumor, its location, the general condition of the patient, the absence or presence of complications. The most common and effective method of treatment is considered to be surgical. It allows you to remove the entire conglomerate of tumor cells, if its localization allows you to do this. Not only the tumor itself, but also nearby tissues are removed. Another concept is associated with this treatment method - palliative care. When a patient cannot actually be helped to completely recover, but it is possible to reduce the size of the tumor itself and reduce the level of pain moments.
In second place in popularity and effectiveness is radiation therapy. This is a therapy that destroys the cancerous structure under the influence of rays. In addition, there are a number of tumors that are particularly sensitive to this particular type of treatment. For example, liposarcoma and its metastases. Radiation therapy is used in combination with chemotherapy and surgery. Often used after only surgery to eliminate possible metastases.
Chemotherapy
Cancer treatment with medications - both alone and in combination with other methods - is also very common. Chemotherapy with the help of specific toxins has a detrimental effect on the cancer cell, contributes to its rapid destruction. There are cytotoxic (cell destruction) and cytostatic (stopping its growth) chemotherapy. It is customary to use not one type of oncological profile drugs, but to combine them into specific “medical cocktails”. This increases the chances of successful destruction of cancer agents. Medicines can be administered intravenously, less commonly used tablet forms. In special cases, chemotherapy products are administered intrathecally (into the cerebrospinal fluid) or directly under the skin. It all depends on each specific case of the disease.
Positive and negative aspects of chemotherapy
Many patients are afraid of a procedure called chemotherapy. Reviews suggest that this is due to a large number of problems and complications that arise at the time of treatment.
Since healthy cells in virtually the entire body are severely affected, patients face a number of problems:
- hair loss;
- the composition of the blood changes;
- problems with the intestines;
- damage to the mucous membranes;
- nausea;
vomiting
- liver function suffers, which is forced to process all toxins and chemical waste;
- A similar pattern occurs with the kidneys;
- Immunity sharply decreases and so on.
We note the positive aspects of such a procedure as chemotherapy. Reviews of patients who underwent treatment using this method make it clear that it is worth enduring the negative effect for the sake of recovery. A complete cure or a significant reduction in the tumor are the results that you can be satisfied with.
Cancer Targeted Therapy: A Step Towards Health
More recently, a new method for the medical treatment of cancerous tumors has appeared. This is targeted therapy. This is the latest unique development, created to combat cancer. A characteristic difference between targeted therapy and other main types of treatment is its absolute safety in relation to healthy body cells. In addition, this therapy provides the most rapid destruction of harmful cells. Due to a long study and awareness of the processes of formation and vital activity of cancerous tumors, drugs have been developed that act specifically on cell growth centers. Again, targeted therapy is both an independent type of treatment and additional to other medical measures.
Unfortunately, such an innovative cancer control method has a number of inconveniences for patients. Although it does not work on the principle of classical chemotherapy, these substances are also carried by the blood stream throughout the body. On the one hand, this ensures their effectiveness in the fight against distant metastases. On the other hand, concentration in the right places decreases. Most often, this type of drug is tabletted, which allows the patient to stay at home and continue successful treatment. Consider the effects of targeted therapy for certain types of cancer.
What cancer is defeated with
If we look at the essence of the appearance of cancer, the mutation of the VHL gene is the cause. The mutation causes increased secretion of protein, which contributes to the growth of cancer cells. Drugs should block the growth and further development of the tumor. The most popular and currently used drugs: Votrient, Nexavar (Sorafenib), Sutent, Bevacizumab (Avastin), Everolimus (Afinitor), Axinitib (Inlita "). They are used even in the last stages of treatment. Unfortunately, you need to be prepared for the appearance of such negative manifestations as high blood pressure, diarrhea, or increased sensitivity in the limbs. Consider in more detail targeted therapy drugs.
- The drug "Sorafenib" ("Nexavar") - effectively slows down the growth of cancer conglomerates. It blocks angiogenesis and works on the utilization of growth molecules. Available in tablet form. You may encounter side effects: rash, diarrhea, hypertension, swelling and fatigue.
- Means "Bevacizumab" ("Avastin") - is administered intravenously. It can slow down the growth of blood vessels of a new order. Often combined with interferon alfa. This enhances the quality of treatment. Very well tolerated by patients, slight hypertension and the formation of blood clots are possible.
- The drug "Everolimus" ("Afinitor") - successfully blocks the protein mTOR. It is taken once a day in tablet form. Used to fight cancer at the most extreme stages of treatment. Unfortunately, there are many side effects.
- The drug "Temsirolimus" ("Torisel") - the patient receives using intravenous injection. It is similar in its action and complications to the previous remedy.
- The drug "Sunitinib" ("Sutent") - effectively blocks the activity of some tyrosine kinases. Less pronounced side effects, but a positive treatment result are slightly lower than when using other drugs.
Positive reviews
Targeted therapy using these drugs has already benefited many cancer patients. The reviews are the most positive. Patients claim that a decrease in the severity of symptoms was observed almost immediately. Her health improved, while the side effects practically did not disturb during the entire period of treatment. Many focus on the method of treatment remotely from the hospital - it is convenient both physically and mentally, it is easier for the patient to bear the difficulties of the disease at home than in the hospital ward. Since most drugs are available in tablet form, this is also noted by patients as a convenience. Many rejoice at the opportunity to avoid pain and discomfort.
Targeted Therapy and Kidney Cancer
Nowadays, diseases of the cancer profile affecting the genitourinary system can be found in every fourth. Cancer is a very serious disease, an aggressive, attacking human body. It is developing rapidly, and a blow to the body is noticeable from the first months of the development of the disease. Cancer treatment in such patients is carried out under the supervision of an oncologist-urologist. There is a typical picture of the disease: blood in the urine, impaired organ function, discomfort and pain in the kidneys. To date, targeted therapy drugs have helped many patients. To understand how successful the result of treatment can be, you need to understand the mechanism of operation of these funds.
Principle of action: tumor growth depends on the amount of nutrients and the presence of oxygen. This is especially true for cancerous kidneys. Targeted therapy drugs seek only malignant cells and act on the molecular mechanisms by which a “bad” cell divides, inhibiting tumor growth and destroying it. Targeted therapy for kidney cancer has the following advantages:
- no need to hospitalize the patient;
- drugs can be used to treat older people;
- the drug stops cell division and the growth of the tumor itself;
- with the manifestation of side effects, it is enough to simply reduce the amount of drugs used.
Lung cancer therapy
Another important problem in the world of domestic oncology is lung cancer. Harmful chemicals in production, smoking, carcinogens and chronic diseases contribute to the widespread spread of cancer cells in the structure of lung tissue.
Targeted lung cancer therapy is a basic and popular treatment. Drugs that successfully affect lung cancer are EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, namely Erlotinib and Gefitinib. And it is also worth mentioning about monoclonal antibodies against EGFR - preparations “Tseruksimab” and “Panitumumab”. Minimum discomfort and a very quick effect - these are the main points of treatment reviews.
Stomach cancer
Stomach cancer refers to diseases with an extremely unfavorable course and outcome. The disease usually progresses very quickly. The patient experiences pain and a lot of inconvenience.
Increasingly, our domestic experts began to turn to such a treatment method as targeted therapy for stomach cancer. The most successful drug is Imatinib (Glivec), used for tumor conglomerates of the gastrointestinal tract. We also include the drug “Rituximab”, which is especially effective in case of gastric cancer, and in the event of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. As well as the drug "Herceptin", which affects breast cancer.
Targeted cancer therapy is a unique innovation. This is another chance for mankind to defeat what seems like a death sentence at the moment - oncological diseases.