What is Cancer?
Cancer is a collective term for over 100 illnesses characterized by abnormal and unregulated mitosis, or cell division. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, heart attacks being the first. Cancer can arise anywhere in the body and spread to other sites. Cancer is not contagious and can occur at any age.
How are Tumors Formed?
Body cells naturally undergo a process called mitosis, in which the cell divides into two identical cells for the purposes of growth and repair. For instance, when you get a cut, your skin cells replicate to repair the wound. Cancer cells divide at a much more rapid rate than normal healthy cells. The result of this accelerated cell division is a mass of tissue known as a tumor.
Are All Tumors Cancerous?
There are two kinds of tumors: benign and malignant. Benign tumors are non-cancerous and will not spread throughout the body. Once the benign tumor is removed, it is highly unlikely that it will grow back. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can be very harmful. They have the potential to metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body and cause further damage. If removed, there is still a chance that the malignant tumor will reappear.
How Do Tumors Affect the Body?
There are several ways in which a tumor can cause damage and destruction to the body. Some release substances that destroy the tissues that are close to them. Some penetrate organs and tissues and destroy or harm them in the process. Organs that have been attacked by tumors are more vulnerable to infections. Tumors also have the ability to put pressure on neighboring tissues and organs, preventing them from carrying out their functions properly.
What is Metastasis?
During metastasis, the tumor releases millions of cancerous cells into the bloodstream. Many are killed by immune system cells or while traveling in the blood vessels. Others survive and attach themselves to the lining of the blood vessels. When these cells replicate, more tumors can form in the new site.
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