What is Cancer Treatment? How is Cancer Treatment Done?

All tissues and organs in the body are made up of different types of cells. Over time, new cells formed by the division of healthy cells replace the cells that die. This process of cell renewal continues throughout a person's life. The timing of when cells should multiply is controlled by DNA. Due to DNA damage, cells may begin to divide unnecessarily. Cancer, one of today's serious diseases, is a condition that arises from the uncontrolled multiplication of the body's own cells.

This uncontrolled division and multiplication lead to the formation of cell masses. These cell masses are referred to as tumors. These abnormal cells, or cancer cells, live longer than normal cells. Tumors that develop due to long lifespan and continuous uncontrolled multiplication can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors can easily separate from the tissue they originate from and are not classified as cancer. When benign tumors are surgically removed, the likelihood of them recurring is extremely low, and they rarely pose a life-threatening risk. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, can compress normal tissues, invade surrounding tissues, or spread to other areas of the body through the bloodstream. In the regions they invade, they can also multiply uncontrollably, leading to the formation of tumors.

There are certain risk factors that can lead to cancer: some chronic viral diseases (such as Hepatitis B, C, and HPV), exposure to carcinogenic substances (such as tobacco, chemical toxins, and radioactive materials), and hereditary genetic mutations. Reducing these risk factors, administering protective vaccines (such as Hepatitis B vaccine and HPV vaccine) to prevent the development of certain viral infections, or implementing preventive measures in those with hereditary risks is the most effective way to prevent cancer.

What is Cancer Treatment?

There are many different types of cancer, and the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment methods vary depending on the type of cancer. When a person shows symptoms of cancer, the doctor first listens to the patient's detailed history. The patient's complaints, genetic background, and lifestyle habits are evaluated. Then, additional laboratory tests and radiological imaging are performed to determine the type of cancer. A biopsy is conducted in the presence of a tumor. After confirming the presence of cancer, a procedure known as cancer screening is performed to check the focal point of the cancer and whether it has metastasized. Based on the type of cancer, its spread, and stage, cancer treatment methods are determined. Some of these treatments can be listed as follows:

Surgery: The tumor caused by cancer is surgically removed from the body with minimal damage to the surrounding tissues.

Chemotherapy: This is a cytotoxic or drug treatment method. It prevents the proliferation and growth of cancer cells through medication, which can also shrink the size of the tumor. Different types of cancer can be treated with chemotherapy drugs that have different levels of effectiveness.

Targeted Therapies (Molecular or targeted treatments): These drugs are developed to address specific genetic alterations detected in tumors, available in pill form or as infusions. They can be used in addition to chemotherapy or alone.

Immunotherapy: These drugs are increasingly used and provide dramatic improvements in many cancers. They eliminate the natural braking mechanism in the immune system, enabling immune cells that recognize and attack cancer cells to be more effective in identifying and destroying them.

Radiotherapy: Also known as radiation therapy, in this method, targeted radiation is delivered to the tumor in the patient’s body while protecting surrounding organs. This method is the only treatment option for certain types of cancer.

What are the Symptoms of Cancer?

The symptoms of cancer vary according to the type of cancer present. Some cancer types do not cause any symptoms until the disease progresses, while others may lead to symptoms such as:

• Weight Loss: Continuous weight loss despite normal eating is a common symptom of many different cancer types.
• High Fever: An elevated body temperature without any infection is one of the symptoms of cancer.
• Weakness: A person may feel fatigued and weak even after good sleep and no physical exertion.
• Presence of a Mass: The presence of palpable lumps in the breast, armpit, and other areas may indicate tumors.
• Bleeding: Discharge and bleeding from the rectum and uterus are symptoms of cancer.
• Hoarseness: Persistent hoarseness and cough that do not resolve can develop due to cancer.
• Changes in Urination and Bowel Movements: Symptoms like blood in stool or urine, bowel issues, and changes in urination frequency may be associated with cancer.

Although cancer can lead to various symptoms, the presence of these symptoms can also be explained by other conditions. A definitive diagnosis and treatment require a visit to a physician for examination. In cancer types where early diagnosis is crucial, time should not be wasted on unproven herbal treatments, such as cancer herbs. It is essential to remember that cancer treatments and medications are much more effective when detected early. The symptoms experienced by cancer patients in their final days also vary according to the type of cancer. The frequently asked question, "What are the symptoms of cancer?" can be answered in this way.

What are the Types and Varieties of Cancer?

There are approximately 100 different types of cancer. Some of the more common types include:

• Breast Cancer: Much more common in women than in men, originating from cells in the breast tissue.
• Lung Cancer: Caused by the uncontrolled proliferation of lung cells, with smoking being the primary risk factor.
• Brain Tumor: Brain tumors originate from cells in the brain tissue and can also develop from the metastasis of different cancer types to the brain.
• Cervical Cancer: The primary cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Colon Cancer: More common in people aged 50 and older, colon cancer is also known as bowel cancer.

What are the Cancer Terms?

Some frequently used terms in cancer treatment include:

• Tumor: A mass, lump, or swelling.
• Benign: Non-cancerous, mild.
• Malignant: Cancerous, harmful.
• Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells to a different area.
• Marker: Tumor marker.
• Leukopenia: A low level of white blood cells in the blood.
• Nodule: A small mass.

What Causes Cancer?

Cancer can be defined as the uncontrolled division and proliferation of cells in the tissues and organs of the body, leading to the formation of masses. In other words, all types of cancer develop in cells, which are one of the body's fundamental structures. To better understand the question, "What causes cancer?" it is necessary to comprehend how healthy cells transform into cancerous cells. All cells in the body, except muscle and nerve cells, divide and proliferate. This action, essential for renewing dead cells, occurs rapidly during the early years of life but slows down with age. Additionally, there is a limit to how often cells can divide. In other words, cells cannot divide infinitely. Each healthy cell knows when it needs to divide and when it should die. The division of cells, necessary for maintaining vital functions, occurs in an orderly manner. However, in some cases, cells begin to divide and proliferate unnecessarily. This situation arises from damage to DNA. Viruses, tobacco use, excessive exposure to sunlight, radiation, and chemicals are some of the causes of cancer or cancer-inducing factors that lead to DNA damage. Normally, damaged DNA is repaired through repair pathways within the cell, but these DNA repair mechanisms are disrupted in cancerous cells. In this situation, cancerous cells proliferate rapidly. Cancer cells have a longer lifespan than normal cells, leading to the accumulation of cells over time. The accumulation of cells forming masses is referred to as a tumor. The frequently wondered questions, "What is cancer?" and "How does cancer develop?" can be answered in this way.

What are the Stages of Cancer?

Different types of cancer have various stages. The stage of cancer is an indicator of how advanced the disease is. The cancer stage is determined by factors such as the location and size of the primary tumor, lymph node involvement, and the presence and number of metastases. Cancer stages can be reduced with treatment.

When cancer is detected early, it progresses much more favorably, and some types of cancer can be completely cured. At this point, there is a significant connection between cancer treatment and early diagnosis. To raise public awareness about cancer and increase knowledge about prevention methods, the week of April 1-7 has been designated as Cancer Awareness Week.