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"Genetic Cancer" or "Hereditary Cancer"?
How Does Cancer Form?
Cancer, the most common cause of death after cardiovascular disease, is one of the health problems that is becoming increasingly important. Especially in Western societies, approximately 1 in 300 people develop cancer each year, while this rate increases approximately 5-fold in people over the age of 60. In line with these rates, it can be said that 2 in 100 people over the age of 60 encounter cancer, and the most common type of cancer is breast cancer in women and lung cancer in men.
Cancer, the second most common cause of death after cardiovascular diseases, is a growing health problem. In Western societies, approximately 1 in 300 people develop cancer each year, with this rate increasing about fivefold in those over 60. Among those over 60, 2 out of 100 people face cancer, with breast cancer in women and lung cancer in men being the most common types.
Cancer can generally be defined as the uncontrolled division of cells. Mutations and damage in the cell's DNA result in an abnormally increased division rate, leading to rapid proliferation of certain tissue cells. These randomly growing cells form tumor tissues. Tumors that compress healthy tissue cells, grow into these tissues, or destroy them are called malignant tumors and often spread to other parts of the body through lymphatic or blood circulation (metastasis). When new tumor masses form in the tissues they spread to and continue to grow, these tissue cells also exhibit cancerous properties and begin to divide uncontrollably.
The Formation of Cancer
Cancer formation occurs in three different stages of cell division. The first stage is called hyperplasia, where no structural changes are observed in the cells; only uncontrolled division occurs. The second stage is dysplasia, where cell structure begins to deteriorate. This stage, also known as the secondary mutation stage, is the initial stage of tumor formation and abnormal tissue masses. In the third stage of formation, the presence of cancer tissue is now evident. In this stage, cells continue to divide uncontrollably, grow, and form larger masses. Malignant tumors gain the ability to spread to distant tissues and organs during this division stage.
What Are the Treatment Methods for Cancer Diseases?
The goal in treating cancer diseases is to remove or destroy cancerous tissue and cells. In surgical treatment, cancerous tissue and other risky tissues around it are appropriately removed. This method is generally preferred for non-metastatic cancer types. Another commonly used treatment method is radiotherapy. In this method, cancerous cells are exposed to ionizing radiation such as X-rays, electrons, neutrons, protons, and radioactive isotopes to kill them. Chemotherapy involves killing cancer cells with cytotoxic drugs. Other treatment methods for cancer include hormone therapies, targeted drug therapies, and immunotherapy. The treatment method to be chosen for eliminating cancerous tissues and controlling the disease is determined by an oncology specialist.
Last Updated Date: 17 August 2018
Publication Date: 17 August 2018
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