What is Cancer? Symptoms, Causes, Types, and Treatment Methods

Cancer is a disease that occurs due to the uncontrolled reproduction of body cells. Healthy body cells (excluding muscle and nerve cells) have the ability to divide, but this ability is limited. They cannot divide infinitely. Each cell has a specific number of divisions it can undergo during its lifetime. A healthy cell knows when and how much to divide. In contrast, cancer cells lose this awareness, begin to divide uncontrollably, and proliferate. Cancer cells accumulate to form tumors, which can compress, infiltrate, or destroy normal tissues.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, following heart and vascular diseases. In Western societies, one in every 250-350 people is diagnosed with cancer each year. In the group over 60 years old, the frequency of cancer increases significantly, rising to about 4-5 in every 300 people. Although there are no definitive statistics in Turkey, it is estimated that the frequency is about half of this. In our country, the most common cancer in men is lung cancer, followed by stomach cancer and bladder cancer. In women, breast cancer ranks first, followed by stomach cancer and ovarian cancer. The frequency of skin cancer is high in both genders, but since skin cancers other than malignant melanoma respond well to treatment, the mortality rate is very low.

There are many factors that can contribute to the development of cancer. In addition to familial and genetic factors, there are also causes stemming from an individual’s lifestyle and external influences. Smoking and alcohol use, prolonged sun exposure, and poor dietary habits can be included in this group. Additionally, there are external factors that can cause cancer. These include exposure to high doses of X-ray radiation, chemicals, viruses (Hepatitis B, C, human papillomavirus…), air pollution, lack of physical activity due to prolonged time spent in front of the television or computer, and exposure to radiation, which can all invite cancer formation.

• Abnormal bleeding from the uterus or rectum
• Lumps in the breast or body
• Non-healing wounds,
• Painful/painless sores in the mouth,
• White or red patches, lumps, or hardness in the mouth and lips,
• Prolonged hoarseness and cough
• Bloody, foul-smelling sputum,
• Difficulty swallowing or indigestion,
• Growth, color change, and bleeding in moles or warts,
• Changes in bowel habits,
• Bloody urine,
• Moles that change in color, shape, and size, bleed easily, or ulcerate,
• Palpable mass in the chest,
• Thickening, indentation, or retraction of the skin over the breast,
• Clear or bloody discharge from the nipple,
• Prolonged diarrhea or constipation,
• Unexplained weight loss,
• Irregular menstruation, excessive bleeding, or prolonged bleeding,
• Bleeding between menstrual periods or after menopause,
• Bleeding after sexual intercourse,
• Excessive vaginal discharge,
• Prolonged and unexplained fevers,
• Anemia that does not improve despite treatment.

If these symptoms occur, one should consult a doctor without delay.

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Esophageal, stomach, and intestinal cancers
• Head and neck cancers
• Ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancers

Metastasis is the result of cancer cells multiplying and growing uncontrollably in the organ where they are located or at distant sites. Diagnosis and treatment require the collaboration of many specialties. Treatment is challenging. Early diagnosis is important.

There have been significant advancements in the approach to cancer treatment from the past to the present. Cancer treatment is now not only focused on the tumor through surgical and radiotherapy but also aims to prevent metastasis (spread). Additionally, recently developed targeted therapy agents (drugs administered through veins and orally) are achieving effective results. In this patient group, chemotherapy/radiotherapy or chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy are among the treatment options.