No To Cancer's Blog

Neoplasm and Its Types.

Chetan Prusty — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:04:37 +0000

Neoplasm is an abnormal mass of tissue as a result of Neoplasia. Neoplasia (new growth in Greek) is the abnormal proliferation of cells. The growth of this clone of cells exceeds, and is uncoordinated with, that of the normal tissues around it. It usually causes a lump or tumor. Neoplasms may be benign, pre-malignant or malignant.

In modern medicine, the term tumor is synonymous with a neoplasm that has formed a lump. In the past, the term tumor was used differently. Some neoplasms do not cause a lump.

A neoplasm can be benign, potentially malignant (pre-cancer), or malignant (cancer).
* Benign Neoplasms include Uterine Fibroids and Melanocytic Nevi (skin moles). They do not transform into cancer.
* Potentially malignant neoplasms include carcinoma in situ. They do not invade and destroy but, given enough time, will transform into a cancer.
* Malignant Neoplasms are commonly called Cancer. They invade and destroy the surrounding tissue, may form Metastases and eventually kill the host.

[Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoplasm]

What is a Benign Tumor?

Chetan Prusty — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:54:58 +0000

A Benign Tumor is a tumor that lacks all three of the malignant properties of a cancer. Thus, by
definition, a benign tumor does not grow in an unlimited, aggressive manner, does not invade surrounding tissues, and does not metastasize. Common examples of benign tumors include moles and uterine fibroids.

The term “benign” implies a mild and nonprogressive disease, and indeed, many kinds of benign tumors are harmless to the health. However, some neoplasms which are defined as ‘benign tumors’ because they lack the invasive properties of a cancer, may still produce negative health effects. Examples of this include tumors which produce a “mass effect” (compression of vital organs such as blood vessels), or “functional” tumors of endocrine tissues, which may overproduce certain hormones (examples include thyroid adenomas, adrenocortical adenomas, and pituitary adenomas).

Benign tumors typically are encapsulated, which inhibits their ability to behave in a malignant manner. Nonetheless, many types of benign tumors have the potential to become malignant ex: Teratoma.

[Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benign_neoplasm]

What do you mean by a Tumor?

Chetan Prusty — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:31:09 +0000

A Tumor or Tumour is the name for a swelling or lesion formed by an abnormal growth of cells (termed Neoplastic). Tumor is not synonymous with cancer. A tumor can be: * Benign, * Pre-malignant or * Malignant, whereas cancer is by definition Malignant. The term tumor is derived, via the Old French tumour, from the Latin tumor “swelling”.

It originally meant an abnormal swelling of the flesh. A Neoplasm is an abnormal proliferation of tissues, usually caused by genetic mutations. Most neoplasms cause a tumor, with a few exceptions like leukemia [cancer of the blood or bone marrow and is characterized by an abnormal proliferation of blood cells, usually white blood cells (leukocytes)] or Carcinoma In Situ [Carcinoma In Situ (CIS) is an early form of carcinoma defined by the absence of invasion of surrounding tissues. In other words, the neoplastic cells proliferate in their normal habitat, hence the name "in situ" (Latin for "in its place"). CIS will usually not form a tumour. Rather, the lesion is flat (in the skin, cervix, etc) or follows the existing architecture of the organ (in the breast, lung, etc). Some CIS, however, form tumours, for example Colon Polyps or Papillary Cancer of the bladder as well as some CIS of the breast (more properly called Ductal Carcinoma in situ)].

[References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leukemia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcinoma_in_situ]

What is meant by Anaplasia?

Chetan Prusty — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:15:03 +0000

Anaplasia refers to a reversion of differentiation in cells and is characteristic of Malignant Neoplasms(tumors) . Sometimes, the term also includes an increased capacity for multiplication. Lack of differentiation is considered a hallmark of malignancy. The term anaplasia literally means “to form backward”. It implies dedifferentiation, or loss of structural and functional differentiation of normal cells.

[Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaplasia]

What do you mean by Malignancy?

Chetan Prusty — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:12:34 +0000

Malignancy (from the Latin roots mal- = “bad” and -genus = “born”) is the tendency of a medical condition, especially tumors to become progressively worse and to potentially result in death. It is characterized by the properties of Anaplasia, invasiveness, and Metastasis. Malignant is a corresponding adjectival medical term used to describe a severe and progressively worsening disease. The term is most familiar as a description of cancer. A malignant tumor may be contrasted with a non-cancerous Benign tumor in that a malignancy is not self-limited in its growth, is capable of invading into adjacent tissues, and may be capable of spreading to distant tissues (Metastasizing), while a benign tumor has none of those properties. Malignant tumor is synonymous with cancer.

Uses of “malignant” in Oncology:

* Malignancy, Malignant Neoplasm, and Malignant Tumor are synonymous with cancer

* Malignant Ascites – Ascites (also known as Peritoneal cavity fluid, Peritoneal fluid excess, Hydroperitoneum or more archaically as Abdominal dropsy) is an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. The peritoneal cavity is a potential space between the parietal peritoneum and visceral peritoneum, that is, the two membranes that separate the organs in the abdominal cavity from the abdominal wall.

* Malignant Transformation – process by which cells acquire the properties of cancer. This may occur as a primary process in normal tissue, or secondarily as malignant degeneration of a previously existing benign tumor.

[References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malignant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascites
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peritoneal_cavity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malignant_transformation]

What is meant by a Precancerous Condition/Pre-Malignant?

Chetan Prusty — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:00:36 +0000

A Precancerous Condition (or Premalignant Condition) is a disease, syndrome, or finding that, if left untreated, may lead to cancer.

Examples of pre-malignant conditions include:
* Actinic Keratosis - a premalignant condition of thick, scaly, or crusty patches of skin. It is more common in
fair-skinned people. It is associated with those who are frequently exposed to the sun, as it is usually accompanied by solar damage.

* Barrett’s Esophagus - Sometimes called Barrett’s Syndrome, CELLO [Columnar Epithelium Lined Lower Esophagus] and colloquially referred to as Barrett’s refers to an abnormal change (Metaplasia) in the cells of the lower end of the Esophagus [a muscular tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach] thought to be caused by damage from chronic acid exposure, or Reflux Esophagitis [inflammation of the esophagus]. The normal lining of the esophagus (Squamous Epithelium) is replaced by an intestinal-type lining (Columnar Epithelium).

* Atrophic Gastritis – Also known as Type A or Type B Gastritis more specifically, is a process of chronic inflammation of the stomach mucosa, leading to loss of gastric glandular cells and their eventual replacement by intestinal and fibrous tissues. As a result, the stomach’s secretion of essential substances such as hydrochloric
acid, pepsin, and intrinsic factor is impaired, leading to digestive problems, vitamin B12 deficiency, and
Megaloblastic Anemia [Anemia that results from inhibition of DNA synthesis in red blood cell production. This is
often due to deficiency of vitamin B12 and/or folic acid.].

* Cervical Dysplasia – Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN), also known as Cervical Dysplasia, is the potentially premalignant transformation and abnormal growth (Dysplasia) of squamous cells [tissue composed of cells that line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body] on the surface of the cervix. Most cases of CIN remain stable, or are eliminated by the host’s immune system without intervention. However a small percentage of cases progress to become cervical cancer, usually cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), if left untreated.The major cause of CIN is chronic infection of the cervix with the sexually transmitted Human PapillomaVirus (HPV), especially the high-risk HPV types 16 or 18. Over 100 types of HPV have been identified. About a dozen of these types appear to cause cervical dysplasia & may lead to the development of Cervical Cancer. Other types cause Warts [ also known as Verruca, is generally a small, rough tumor, typically on hands and feet but often other locations, that can resemble a cauliflower or a solid blister. Warts are common, and are caused by a viral infection, specifically by the Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) and are contagious when in contact with the skin of an infected person. It is also possible to get warts from using towels or other objects used by an infected person. They typically disappear after a few months but can last for years and can recur.].

[References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-malignant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actinic_keratosis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett%27s_esophagus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrophic_gastritis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megaloblastic_anemia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervical_dysplasia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wart]

What is Cancer?

Chetan Prusty — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:38:18 +0000

Cancer (medical term: malignant neoplasm) is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display
* Uncontrolled growth (division beyond the normal limits),
* Invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues), and sometimes
* Metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood).
These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, and do not invade or metastasize. Most cancers form a tumor but some, like leukemia [Cancer of Blood or Bone Marrow], do not.

The branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer is Oncology.

[Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer]

How do i describe Cancer?

Chetan Prusty — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:14:22 +0000

Cancer : How do i describe it? Am sorry. But i admit my incapability about possessing a clear understanding of what it is. Well, i think you can help me out. Yes, You. If on any day like today, you get to know that you have a stranger within your body – one who has intruded into your most secretive areas without your permission; One who has not only made the entry by its choice but also has given you no choice for its exit. One who doesn’t offer you any clue about how long its going to stay and how bad to worse it will turn out to be as an unwanted occupant of your home….

The best thing about Cancer is – It introduces you to yourself. It sounds ironical, but it is meant to be that way. When you realise that you have got it, you normally have two choices: One, to offer a fight [being unsure of the outcome whatsoever] and Two, to surrender [stilll being unsure of the outcome]…Let me consider the first choice as they are the ones who keep that hope alive which makes me write this blog. The choice of offering a fight is like the desparate attempt of holding on to the last breath of your body – being unaware of whether it will go out or be in. But that hope of clinging on to that last breath introduces you to yourself. It paves the way for the one that is real you – the one that is a fighter – the one that is a warrior – the one that doesn’t take or accept any crap that comes its way – the one that can go to any extent to throw out the stranger that has entered his home without permission and refuses to leave…

Cancer is not a fight of a disease with your body. Rather, its a fight of your mind versus your mentality. Sometimes the mind takes over and sometimes the mentality. Sometimes, the optimism of living takes over and most of the times the pessimism of giving in to death. This is when you discover that life is not an affair of all monotonous activities that you used to take as granted. But, it is something that needs to be lived, cherished and valued moment by moment. This is when you realise that your life is the sum of all moments that you are able to fight for and snatch away from your invisible predator. Then it all comes to how much you have been able to push yourself for that willingness to live and for that hatred of surrendering to death. Its all about killing the part of your body which always tries to pull you to the gorges of death – every moment – moment by moment; and to live and uphold that small part of yours that – no matter what – clings to the hope of breathing in the joyful gush of air – even if allowed for a brief moment…And as time flies by, you realise that it has been quite some time that you have been able to offer a decent resistance. This is when you turn out a rebel and get adamant about turning the table back on your opponent’s face. Its not only a question of living or not – that’s completely secondary. The primary question is whether you offered a fight or not. Whether you fought for that one breath of yours that you never knew will come or not but wanted to have it your own way. Whether you retaliated like a wounded tiger who though has exposed its wounds, is still feared more than ever before by the opponent….

It surely is a tough fight, but afterall is life only how many days you have spent on this earth? Is it just how much food you have consumed or how many clothes you have wore? The choice is yours…Am not sure, but i think that after all life is all about the moments that can never be erased from our souls…moments that have been imprinted on our hearts as the ones that we had doggedly fought for – against all adversities, moments that we can claim to be nobody else’s but ours – with no exceptions – even be it God…

Hello World!

Chetan Prusty — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 05:08:02 +0000

Hello All! Having seen Cancer from very close quarters – it being the reason for the demise of two of the most wonderful members in my family, i always wished to tackle the ‘subject’ head on. This blog is my effort to provide a platform for information pertaining to the dreaded disease of Cancer and all that is in and around it. I also can’t stop myself getting thoughtful about ‘it’ and expressing my mostly biased views on it – or shall i say against it?

I am walking a path less opted for…I don’t know what lies in the days ahead….but i choose to do my bit – to offer a fight…for what? Didn’t i already say – No to Cancer???

No to Cancer