The face of health care, including scientific knowledge and care delivery systems, is ever changing. Likewise, the experience of cancer is changing for our clients and families. Today, a person confronted with a new cancer diagnosis often knows someone who has survived cancer; yet cancer remains a frightening unknown for many. Some clients, especially older ones, still associate the word with death. Approximately 1.4 million new cancers are expected to be diagnosed in United States in 2007. Survival rates and quality of life for people living with the disease have improved. Yet this year about 564,000 Americans are expected to die of cancer. Cancer remains the second leading cause if death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease. The term cancer is used to refer to malignant neoplasms. Cancer is a disease of the cell in which the normal mechanisms for control of growth and proliferation have been altered. It is invasive, spreading directly to surrounding tissues as well as to new sites in the body.
What is the difference between benign and a malignant cell ?
-Benign cell are slow growing localized and encapsulated well differentiated; resemble to a normal cell; grow by expansion; it does not metastasized; no tissue damage; unless blood flow is affected; does not cause death unless localization affect a vital function. On the other hand Malignant cell are aggressive growth that involve and destroy surrounding tissues, it can lead to death unless interventions are taken; with poor cell differentiation; rapid cell division.
Factors associated with CANCER causation
- Tobacco - a strong correlation between smoking and lung cancer exist, other cancers associated with tobacco use include bladder, esophageal and even gastric.
- Alcohol - common is liver cancer
- Age - age over 65 has the greater risk that attribute to cancer. In elderly, hormonal changes is included as a risk factor, altered immune response and the accumulation of free radicals (end product of the metabolism)
- Gender - Breast cancer is commonly in females, and colon cancer is common in men.
- Occupational exposure - according to some studies people who are working in factories or there is exposure to certain chemicals like the ore that they used in making metals.
- Genetics - 15% cancer may be attributed to a hereditary component; cancer demonstrating familial relationship including breast, colon, lung, ovarian and prostate.
- Viral - Infection associated with cancer include genital herpes, papilloma virus and hepatitis.
- Chemical Agents, Race ,and Diet
WARNING SIGNS OF CANCER !!
- C - change in bowel habits or bladder function.
- A - a sore that does not heal.
- U - unusual bleeding or discharge.
- T - thickening or lump in breast or other parts of the body.
- I - indigestion or difficulty of swallowing.
- O - obvious change in a wart or mole.
- N - nagging cough or hoarseness of voice
- A - anemia
- L - loss of weight
TNM (Tumor, Nodes, Metastasis) SYSTEM OF TUMOR CLASSIFICATION
TUMORS
T0 - no evidence of primary lesion
T1 - superficial lesion confined to organ of origin
T2 - localized lesion with deep invasion in adjacent structure
T3 - advanced lesion confined to an anatomic region of organ of origin
T4 - advanced lesion extending into adjacent organs
NODES
N0 - no evidence of disease
N1 - palpable, movable nodes limited to primary site
N2, N3, N4 - progressive increase in size fixation and location of palpable nodes
METASTASIS
M0 - no metastasis
M1 - isolated metastasis confined to one organ or site
M2 - multiple metastases confined to one organ or site, no functional impairment
M3- multiple organs involved minimal functional impairment
GRADING
G1 - well differentiated cells
G2 - moderately well differentiated cells
G3 - poorly differentiated cells
G4 - undifferentiated
STAGES
0 - benign stage
I - spread to nearby tissue (2cm)
II - 2-5cm sometimes with lymph involvement
III - more than 5cm spread to advance spread to connective tissues
IV - METASTASIS
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