Cancer is a disease that can affect anyone. But! Do not be afraid and give up, as medicine does not stand still. New developments and technologies for fighting diseases appear every day, and cancer treatment is at a decent level.
The concept of "cancer"
Cancer is a process in which body cells grow and divide uncontrollably, spreading into neighboring tissues and organs, giving metastases. The origin of cancer is currently not fully understood. The provoking factors are: the action of carcinogens, smoking, constant contact with harmful substances, chronic diseases that irritate the structure of a he althy cell, heredity, hormonal disorders, immunological disorders, the degeneration of benign tumors. Cancer is destroyed by chemotherapy, angiogenesis, targeted therapy and radiation. These are just some of the methods most commonly used in the treatment of patients.
Forms and stages of cancer
Morphologically, the following forms of cancer can be distinguished:
- medulla-ulcerative or saucer-shaped;
-skirr;
- papillary cancer;
- infiltrative-ulcerative form;
- mushroom cancer;- simple cancer.
International classification distinguishes:
- adenocarcinoma;
- squamous cell carcinoma;
- undifferentiated cancer;
- glandular squamous cell carcinoma;- unclassifiable cancer.
There is also a classification regarding the staging of tumors. Cancer treatments depend on stages:
- Stage 1 - the tumor is no more than 2 cm in diameter, does not grow beyond the boundaries of the mucosa and does not metastasize.
- Stage 2 - the tumor has a size of 4 to 6 centimeters, can grow into the submucosa or muscle layer, there may be single metastases.
- 3rd stage - the tumor captures already serous or subserous layers of tissues, grows into nearby organs. There are multiple metastases in the lymph nodes. There are various complications.- Stage 4 - the tumor reaches an impressive size and produces metastases, much distant.
Clinical presentation and main complaints
If we consider the clinical picture, it is very diverse. It all depends on the affected organ, stage, degree, general he alth of the patient, as well as the level of lability to treatment. There are such periods of the disease and the corresponding symptoms:
1. early or early period. Patients complain of weakness, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss. With the localization of the tumor in the lungs: dry non-productive cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, excessive sweating. If the problem is related to the stomach: nausea, vomiting,belching, chronic stomach bleeding. The affected kidney gives blood in the urine, symptoms of pushing and squeezing neighboring organs.
2. The period of obvious clinical manifestations of the disease. All symptoms worsen, the general condition of the patient worsens. Metastasis processes may begin.3. End period. The most critical and difficult for the patient. There is a disintegration of the structure of a cancerous tumor on the one hand and its active germination in neighboring organs on the other. Purulent processes and massive bleeding may develop. Nerves are affected, there is a loss of one or another function of the body.
Diagnosis and diagnosis
Diagnosis and treatment of cancerous tumors in our time are at a high level. Oncological diseases are diagnosed based on the following points:
- collection of anamnesis data;
- clinical picture of the disease;
- instrumental diagnostics; - results of laboratory tests.
Very often use the X-ray diagnostic method. The endoscopic method using a biopsy is popular. To make a diagnosis, specialists use echography and computed tomography. Scanning with the introduction of radioactive substances is also used. Particularly difficult and controversial cases force an exploratory laparotomy.
Methods of treatment and their effectiveness
Methods of cancer treatment depend on many factors, such as the nature of the tumor, its location, the general condition of the patient, the absence or presence of complications. The most common and effectiveThe treatment is considered to be surgical. It allows you to remove the entire conglomerate of tumor cells, if its localization allows it. Remove not only the tumor itself, but also nearby tissues. Another concept associated with this method of treatment is palliative care. When the patient cannot actually be helped to fully recover, but it is possible to reduce the size of the tumor itself and reduce the level of painful moments.
In second place in terms of popularity and effectiveness - radiation therapy. This is a therapy that destroys the cancerous structure under the action of rays. In addition, there are a number of tumors that are especially sensitive to this type of treatment. For example, liposarcoma and its metastases. Radiation therapy is used in combination with chemotherapy and surgery. Often used after surgery alone to eliminate possible metastases.
Chemotherapy
Treatment of cancer with medications - both alone and in combination with other methods - is also very common. Chemotherapy with the help of specific toxins has a detrimental effect on the cancer cell, contributes to its rapid destruction. There are cytotoxic (cell destruction) and cytostatic (stopping its growth) chemotherapy. It is customary to use more than one type of oncological profile drugs, but to combine them into specific "medical cocktails". This increases the chances of successfully destroying cancer agents. Drugs may be administered intravenously, less commonly usedtablet forms. In special cases, chemotherapy products are administered intrathecally (into the cerebrospinal fluid) or directly under the skin. It all depends on each specific case of the disease.
Pros and cons of chemotherapy
Many patients are afraid of a procedure called "chemotherapy". Reviews suggest that this is due to a large number of problems and complications that arise at the time of treatment.
Because he althy cells are severely affected in virtually the entire body, patients face a number of problems:
- hair loss;
- blood composition changes;
- intestinal problems;
- mucosal damage;
- nausea; - vomiting;
- liver function suffers, which is forced to process all toxins and chemical waste;
- a similar picture occurs with the kidneys;
- immunity is sharply reduced and so on.
Let's note the positive aspects of such a procedure as chemotherapy. Reviews of patients who have been treated with this method make it clear that it is worth enduring the negative effect for the sake of recovery. A complete cure or a significant reduction in the tumor are the results that you can be satisfied with.
Targeted cancer therapy: a step towards he alth
Most recently, a new method of drug treatment of cancerous tumors has appeared. This is targeted therapy. This is the latest unique development created to combat cancer. Characteristic differences between targeted therapies and other mainstream therapieslies in its absolute safety in relation to he althy cells of the body. In addition, this therapy provides the fastest destruction of harmful cells. As a result of a long study and awareness of the processes of formation and vital activity of cancerous tumors, drugs have been developed that act specifically on the centers of cell growth. Again, targeted therapy is both a stand-alone treatment and an adjunct to other medical interventions.
Unfortunately, even such an innovative method of fighting cancer has a number of inconveniences for patients. Although it does not work like classical chemotherapy, these substances are also carried by the bloodstream throughout the body. On the one hand, this ensures their effectiveness in the fight against distant metastases. On the other hand, the concentration in the right places decreases. Most often, drugs of this type are tableted, which allows the patient to stay at home and continue successful treatment. Consider the effects of targeted therapies on certain types of cancer.
Things that fight cancer
If we consider the essence of the appearance of cancer, here the cause is a mutation of the VHL gene. The mutation causes increased secretion of the protein, which promotes the growth of the cancer cell. The drugs should block the growth and further development of the tumor. The most popular and currently used drugs: Votrient, Nexavar (Sorafenib), Sutent, Bevacizumab (Avastin), Everolimus (Afinitor), Aksinitib (Inlyta ). They are used even in the last stages of treatment. Unfortunately, one must be prepared for the appearance of such negative manifestations as increasedblood pressure, diarrhea, or increased sensation in the extremities. Let's take a closer look at targeted therapy drugs.
- The drug "Sorafenib" ("Nexavar") - effectively slows down the growth of cancer conglomerates. Blocks angiogenesis and works on the utilization of growth molecules. Produced in the form of tablets. You may experience side effects: rash, diarrhea, hypertension, swelling and fatigue.
- Bevacizumab (Avastin) is administered intravenously. Able to slow down the growth of blood vessels of a new order. Often combined with interferon-alpha. This enhances the quality of treatment. Very well tolerated by patients, slight hypertension and blood clots possible.
- The drug "Everolimus" ("Afinitor") - successfully blocks the mTOR protein. It is taken once a day in tablet form. Used to fight cancer at the most extreme stages of treatment. Unfortunately, there are many side effects.
- The drug "Temsirolimus" ("Torisel") - the patient receives with the help of intravenous injections. Similar in its action and complications to the previous remedy.
- The drug "Sunitinib" ("Sutent") - effectively blocks the activity of some tyrosine kinases. Less severe side effects, but the positive result of treatment is slightly lower than with other drugs.
Positive feedback
Targeted therapy using these drugs has already benefited manycancer patients. The reviews are the most positive. Patients claim that a decrease in the severity of symptoms was observed almost immediately. The state of he alth improved, while the side effects practically did not bother throughout the entire period of treatment. Many people focus on the method of treatment remotely from the hospital - it is convenient both physically and morally, it is easier for the patient to endure the difficulties of the disease at home than in the hospital ward. Since most drugs are available in the form of tablets, this is also noted by patients as a convenience. Many people rejoice at the opportunity to avoid pain and discomfort.
Targeted therapy and kidney cancer
In our time, cancerous diseases that affect the genitourinary system can be found in every fourth. Cancer is a very serious disease, aggressive, attacking the human body. It develops rapidly, and the blow to the body is felt from the first months of the development of the disease. Treatment of cancer in such patients is carried out under the supervision of an oncologist-urologist. There is a typical picture of the disease: blood in the urine, dysfunction of the organ, discomfort and pain in the kidney area. To date, many patients have been helped by targeted therapy drugs. To understand how successful the result of treatment can be, you need to understand the mechanism of these funds.
Principle of action: tumor growth depends on the amount of nutrients and the presence of oxygen. This is especially true for cancer-affected kidneys. Targeted therapy drugs look only for malignant cells and act on the molecular mechanisms by which the “bad” cell divides,inhibiting tumor growth and destroying it. Targeted therapy for kidney cancer has the following benefits:
- no need to hospitalize the patient;
- drugs can be used to treat the elderly;
- the drug stops cell division and the growth of the tumor itself;- if side effects occur simply reduce the amount of drugs you use.
Lung Cancer Therapy
Another important problem in the world of domestic oncology is lung cancer. Harmful chemicals in production, smoking, carcinogens and chronic diseases contribute to the widespread spread of cancer cells in the structure of the lung tissue.
Targeted therapy for lung cancer is the basic and most popular treatment. Drugs that successfully affect lung cancer are EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, namely Erlotinib and Gefitinib. It is also worth mentioning the monoclonal antibodies against EGFR - the drugs "Ceruximab" and "Panitumumab". A minimum of discomfort and a very quick effect - this is the main essence of the reviews about the treatment.
Stomach cancer
Stomach cancer is one of the diseases with extremely unfavorable course and outcome. The disease usually progresses very quickly. The patient experiences pain and a lot of discomfort.
Increasingly, our domestic specialists began to turn to such a method of treatment as targeted therapy for stomach cancer. The most successful drug can be called Imatinib (Glivec), used for tumor conglomerates.gastrointestinal tract. This also includes the drug "Rituximab", which is especially effective in stomach cancer, and in the event of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. As well as the drug Herceptin, which also affects breast cancer.
Targeted cancer therapy is a unique innovation. This is another chance for humanity to defeat what seems at the moment a death sentence - cancer.
