Cancer

Cells are the structural units of all living things. The most fundamental characteristic of cells is their ability to reproduce themselves by dividing. The division of normal and healthy cells occurs in a regulated and systematic fashion. In many parts of the body, the cells continually divide and form new cells to replace old cells that die. For example, when you cut your finger, certain cells divide rapidly until the tissue is healed and the skin is repaired. They will then go back to their normal rate of division. In contrast, cancer cells divide in a haphazard and uncontrolled manner. The result is that they develop into a non-structured mass or tumor. Cancers also have the ability to metastasize; that is to spread through the blood and form tumors at new sites.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a cancer of the white blood cells, the cells in the body that normally fight infections. There are two main types of white blood cells-lymphoid cells and myeloid cells. ALL affects lymphoid cells. Leukemia cells are abnormal cells that cannot do what normal blood cells do. The abnormal cells are immature white blood cells that cannot help the body fight infections. For this reason, children with ALL often get infections and have fevers. ALL is also called acute lymphocytic leukemia. It is the most common leukemia in children. According to the National Cancer Institute, occurs in about one of every 29,000 children in the United States each year, representing 23 percent of cancer diagnoses among children younger than 15 years of age.

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a cancer of blood-forming tissues of the bone marrow characterized by the growth of immature white blood cells. White blood cells, which normally help to fight infection, lose their ability to differentiate and then quickly multiply and replace normal cells. Consequently, the patient loses the ability to fight infection and microorganisms. More than 11,900 new cases occur in the United States each year according the National Marrow Donor Program.

Bladder Cancer

Most bladder cancers are transitional cell carcinomas (cancer that begins in cells that normally make up the inner lining of the bladder). Other types include squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that begins in thin, flat cells) and adenocarcinoma (cancer that begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids). The cells that form squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma develop in the inner lining of the bladder as a result of chronic irritation and inflammation. The National Cancer Institute estimated 68,810 new cases in 2008.

Brain Tumor

Primary brain tumors are classified as either benign or malignant tumors. If malignant, the tumors generally destroy brain cells and damage those around them. In addition, both benign and malignant brain tumors typically press against the brain, causing the brain to swell and thus increasing the pressure in the skull. The cause of these tumors is unknown and because there are many different types, many different risk factors may play a role. Brain metastases are cancerous tumors which originate from a cancer in another part of the body (e.g., the breast) and subsequently form in the brain. Brain tumors can develop at any age, though gliomas, metastases and meningiomas are more common in adults. The National Institute of Cancer estimated 21, 810 new cases in 2008.

Breast Cancer

Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare. After lung cancer, breast cancer is the second most fatal cancer to women. Men also are occasionally diagnosed with breast cancer because the tissues are the same as in women. According to the National Cancer Institute, 182,460 (female) and 1,990 (male) new cases were diagnosed in 2008.

Cancer

A cancer is generally defined as the uncontrollable growth and replication of cells. This can occur virtually anywhere in the body, in any tissue or organ. Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them and die when the body doesn't. Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too rapidly. It can also occur when cells “forget” how to die. According to the American Cancer Society, 7.6 million people died of cancer in the world in 2007.

Chemotherapy- and Radiotherapy-Induced Side Effects

Cancer is often treated with a chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Radiation and chemotherapy, unfortunately, often bring with them a variety of side effects ranging from hair loss and appetite changes to decreased general immune function. Current treatments and concomitant supportive care medications may lessen the severity and occurrences of these effects.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) occurs later in life and is a malignancy of the lymphocyte. CLL cells grow uncontrollably in the bone marrow, causing an increased concentration of those cells in the blood. The CLL cells do not affect normal blood cell production as is the case in other forms of leukemia, lessening the symptoms in the early stages of the disease. According to the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society, nearly 10,020 people are diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the U.S. each year, most of whom are over 50 years old at the time of diagnosis.

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Chronic myelogenous leukemia, also called CML, is a disease in which the bone marrow makes too many white blood cells. CML is a slowly progressing blood and bone marrow disease that usually occurs during or after middle age, and rarely occurs in children. Normally, the bone marrow makes blood stem cells (immature cells) that develop into mature blood cells over time. A blood stem cell may become a myeloid stem cell or a lymphoid stem cell. The lymphoid stem cell develops into a white blood cell. The National Cancer Institute estimates that about 4,830 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S.

Colon Cancer/ Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer starts either in the large intestine (colon) or in the rectum (end of the colon). The most common form is called adenocarcinoma of the colon. Research shows that most colorectal cancers start as benign polyps, which over a period of many years develop into cancers. Other factors that contribute are ulcerative colitis, a family history of colon cancer and a high-meat, high-fat, low-fiber diet. The National Cancer Institute estimated 148,810 new cases of colon and rectal cancer in 2008.

Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer forms in tissues lining the esophagus, the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach. Two types of esophageal cancer are squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that begins in flat cells lining the esophagus) and adenocarcinoma (cancer that begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids). Very small tumors in the esophagus usually do not cause symptoms. As a tumor grows, the most common symptom is difficulty in swallowing. The National Cancer Institute estimated 16,470 new cases in 2008.

Gastrointestinal Cancer

Gastrointestinal cancer refers to cancer which forms within the gastrointestinal tract, somewhere in the esophagus, stomach, liver, biliary system, pancreas, bowels, or anus. Several risk factors for developing gastrointestinal cancer have been identified. The frequency of gastrointestinal tumors increases with each decade of life and these tumors occur somewhat more frequently in men than in women. Persons of Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic and African American descent have a statistically higher chance of developing the cancer compared to non-Hispanic white Americans. Additionally, eating smoked, salted or pickled foods may lead to an increased risk, whereas eating fresh fruits and vegetables lowers the risk. Also, as with several other cancers, cigarette smokers tend to have increased rates of stomach cancers.

Head and Neck Cancer

Most head and neck cancers begin in the mucous linings in the head and neck, such as the sinuses, mouth and larynx. Symptoms of such a cancer usually include a lump or sore that does not heal, a persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing and a change of hoarseness in the voice. As many as 90 percent of head and neck cancers arise after prolonged exposure to specific factors including tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco or snuff) and/or alcoholic beverages. Prolonged exposure to sunlight is linked with cancer of the lip and is also a major cause of skin cancer. There were about 40,490 new cases in 2006.

Hematological Malignancies

Hematological malignancies are the types of cancer that affect blood, bone marrow and lymph nodes. As the three are intimately connected through the immune system, a disease affecting one of the three will often affect the others as well: although lymphoma is technically a disease of the lymph nodes, it often spreads to the bone marrow, affecting the blood and occasionally producing a paraprotein.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Cancer of the immune system that is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is categorized into two types. Hodgkin lymphoma are classical Hodgkin lymphoma and nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. Symptoms include the painless enlargement of lymph nodes, spleen, or other immune tissue. The National Cancer Institute estimated 8,220 new cases in 2008.

Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer in adults and children are different and distinct. Kidney cancer includes renal cell carcinoma (cancer that forms in the lining of very small tubes in the kidney that filter the blood and remove waste products) and renal pelvis carcinoma (cancer that forms in the center of the kidney where urine collects). It also includes Wilms tumor, which is a type of kidney cancer that usually develops in children under the age of 5. According to the National Cancer Institute, there were about 54,390 new cases in 2008.

Liver Cancer

Primary liver cancer is cancer that forms in the tissues of the liver. Secondary liver cancer is cancer that spreads to the liver from another part of the body. The most common primary liver cancer in adults is called hepatoma or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition, tumors that originate elsewhere in the body (e.g. colon or breast) frequently metastasize to the liver. Liver cancer has the fastest growing death rate amongst all cancers in the U.S. Most liver cancer in the U.S. and globally is secondary to chronic viral hepatitis, both chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C. There were 21,370 new cases in 2008 according to the National Cancer Institute.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a cancerous growth in lung tissue, lung cancer may be metastatic from another source or may be primary (tumor is of lung cell origin). The two main types are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. These types are diagnosed based on how the cells look under a microscope. The National Cancer Institute estimated 215,020 new cases in 2008.

Melanoma (Skin Cancer)

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that starts in the pigment-producing skin cells called melanocytes. These cells become abnormal, grow uncontrollably and aggressively invade surrounding tissues. Although melanoma is less common than other types of skin cancer, it is the by far the most serious. Damage to the genetic material (DNA) of melanocytes from sun exposure and UV light radiation is a major cause of melanoma. The National Cancer Institute estimated in 2008 that there were 62,480 new cases.

Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a malignancy of the plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. Myeloma begins when a plasma cell becomes abnormal. Myeloma cells collect in the bone marrow and may crowd out normal blood cells. Myeloma cells also collect in the solid part of the bone. The disease is called "multiple myeloma" because it affects many bones. The National Cancer Institute estimated 19,920 new cases in 2008.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur at any age and are often marked by enlarged lymph nodes, fever, and weight loss. There are many different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which can be divided into aggressive (fast-growing) and indolent (slow-growing) types and can be classified as either B-cell or T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include Burkitt lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, immunoblastic large cell lymphoma, precursor B-lymphoblastic lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma. T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include mycosis fungoides, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and precursor T-lymphoblastic lymphoma. Lymphomas related to lymphoproliferative disorders following bone marrow or stem cell transplantation are usually B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and type of disease. Also called NHL. According to the National Cancer Institute, there were 66,120 new cases in 2008.

Ovarian Cancer

Most ovarian cancers are either ovarian epithelial carcinomas (cancer that begins in the cells on the surface of the ovary) or malignant germ cell tumors (cancer that begins in egg cells). Women who have a family history of ovarian cancer are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Hereditary ovarian cancer makes up approximately 5 to 10 percent of all cases of ovarian cancer. Three hereditary patterns have been identified: ovarian cancer alone, ovarian and breast cancers and ovarian and colon cancers. Ovarian cancer is hard to detect early because there usually are no symptoms and those symptoms that do occur tend to be vague. The National Cancer Institute estimated 21,650 new cases in 2008

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer has been called a "silent" disease because early pancreatic cancer usually does not cause symptoms. If the tumor blocks the common bile duct and bile cannot pass into the digestive system, the skin and whites of the eyes may become yellow (jaundiced) and the urine darker as a result of accumulated bile pigment called bilirubin. Cancer of the pancreas has markedly increased in incidence over the decades and now ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. According to the National Cancer Institute, there were about 37,680 new cases in 2008

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American men and is somewhat more common in African-American men than men of other racial origin. In the U.S., it is estimated that one out of every six men will develop prostate cancer. Changes in prostate cells contribute to the disease's development and progression. A breakdown in the cells' normal control mechanisms causes the development of cancer cells. The National Cancer Institute estimated 186,320 new cases in 2008

Solid Tumors

Solid tumors are usually detected as a growth somewhere within the tissues of the body. These growths can either be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Tumors are caused by the abnormal growth of cells often caused by damage to the cell’s DNA. Cancerous cells run the risk of spreading to other areas of the body and causing cancers in other tissues. Thus, once tumors are detected, they are generally surgically removed. Treatments focus on the suppression of tumor growth and metastasis (spreading).

Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is a rare type of cancer. The thyroid makes hormones that regulate the way your body uses energy and that help your body work normally. Four main types of thyroid cancer are papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid cancer. The four types are based on how the cancer cells look under a microscope. There were 37,340 new cases in 2008 according to the National Cancer Institute.