Introduction
Oncology is the study of cancer, a disease where cells in the body grow uncontrolled. This guide will help you understand what cancer is, how doctors find it, and the ways they care for it.
What is cancer?
Cancer Cells
Uncontrolled Growth: Normal cells grow and die in an orderly way. Cancer cells, however, keep growing and form lumps called tumors.
Genetic Mutations: Cancer happens because of changes (mutations) in our genes that can make cells grow too much.
Tumor Environment: Cancer cells don’t grow by themselves. They interact with other cells and parts of the body, which help them grow and spread.
How Cancer Develops
Initiation: Cancer starts when something damages our genes, like chemicals, radiation, or certain viruses.
Promotion: These damaged cells start to grow more than they should.
Progression: Over time, these cells become more abnormal and can spread to other parts of the body.
How Do Doctors Find Cancer?
Screening and Early Detection
Screening Tests: Tests like mammograms (for breast cancer) and colonoscopies (for colon cancer) can find cancer early.
Biomarkers: Doctors can test blood for specific substances that indicate cancer.
Imaging Techniques
X-rays and CT Scans: These are pictures of the inside of your body.
MRI: This machine uses magnets and radio waves to make detailed images of organs and tissues.
PET Scans: This test looks for areas in the body where cells are growing fast, which could be cancer.
Biopsy and Histopathology
Biopsy: Doctors take a small sample of tissue from the body to look at under a microscope.
Histopathology: Scientists study these samples to see if they are cancerous and what type of cancer it is.
How is Cancer Treated?
Surgery
Curative Surgery: This surgery tries to remove all the cancer.
Debulking Surgery: This surgery removes as much of the tumor as possible.
Palliative Surgery: This surgery helps relieve symptoms and improve comfort.
Radiation Therapy
External Beam Radiation: Uses high energy rays to kill cancer cells from outside the body.
Brachytherapy: Places radioactive materials inside or near the tumor to kill cancer cells.
Medical Treatments
Chemotherapy: Uses strong medicine to kill cancerous cells.
Targeted Therapy: Uses drugs that target specific parts of cancerous cells.
Immunotherapy: Helps the body’s immune system fight cancer.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone Blockers: Used for cancers that need hormones to grow, like some breast and prostate cancers.
Stem Cell Transplantation
Bone Marrow Transplant: Replaces damaged bone marrow with healthy cells, especially for blood cancers.
Working Together to Fight Cancer
Team Approach
Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs): Doctors, nurses, and other health professionals work together to create the best treatment plans for patients.
Patient Care
Supportive Care: Helps with pain, nutrition, and emotional support during treatment.
Survivorship Care: Focuses on health and quality of life after treatment, including regular check-ups to watch for cancer returning.
Conclusion
Oncology is the field of medicine that helps understand and fight cancer. By learning about how cancer works, how it’s found, and the many different ways it can be treated, we can work towards better results for everyone who is affected by this disease.
コメント