How Can Understanding Types of Cancer Help in Biology Exams?
All through our lives, in our body, healthy cells divide and replace themselves in a pattern that is controlled by the body. Cancer introduces itself in our system when a cell gets altered so that it can multiply uncontrollably. A composure of such abnormal cells together in a cluster or mass is known as a tumour. Cancer cells continue to spread and grow by direct extension or by a process known as metastasis. Cells that are malignant travel through lymphatic or blood vessels forming new cells of tumours in other parts of the body. Now that we know what cancer is, we will learn about different types of cancer, its causes, symptoms, and treatment.
First, let us know what the major types of cancer are:
Carcinomas – The most common type of cancer diagnosed mostly in breasts, skin, pancreas, lungs, and other organs and glands.
Lymphoma – It is a cancer of lymphocytes
Leukaemia – It is a cancer of the blood
Sarcoma – Cancer of the bone, muscle, blood vessel, fat, cartilage, and other connective and soft tissue of the body
Melanoma – Cancer of cells that make pigment in the skin
Let us get into details of causes, symptoms, and treatment of Carcinoma, lymphoma, and melanoma cancer.
1. Carcinoma
Carcinoma, also regarded as skin cancer, has two most common types that are Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC). Carcinoma is a cancerous tumour of the epithelial tissue that is underneath the skin. This tissue is also present in blood vessels, digestive tract, and other organs. It indicates that carcinomas can affect other areas of the body besides the skin.
BCC is much more common than the Squamous cell. Merkel Cell carcinoma is another rare form of skin cancer. Carcinoma is diagnosed mostly in people who are above the age of 50 years. People who have white skin are more prone to Carcinoma.
Causes
The primary cause of Carcinoma is the exposure of skin to ultraviolet radiation (UV)
Another significant risk is UV exposure from tanning beds and drying lamps in nail salons
Having many large or irregular moles or freckles
having an autoimmune disease such as lupus
Weak immune system
Consuming medicines that make skin photosensitive
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Symptoms
BCC and SCC are skin tumours, and they share specific characteristics. The appearance of these skin cancers can differ.
Carcinomas that have a flat surface can resemble healthy skin. Whenever you spot an unexpected abrasion, you must visit your healthcare professional for a check-up or monitoring.
Including its presence, a wound or lump can cause symptoms that are noticeable in its early stages. So, you might notice it before it becomes significant as it may itch, bleed, or cause pain.
Treatment
The treatment of this cancer depends on its type, size, stage, and location. Here are some of the treatment options
Curettage and electrodesiccation
Surgical excision
Cryosurgery
Topical chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
Laser therapy
2. Lymphoma
Lymphoma causes cancer of the lymphatic system. It develops white blood cells which are also known as lymphocytes. It helps fight disease in the body and play a vital role in body’s immune defences
This cancer can quickly metastasize or spread to other tissues and organs in the body. It has a high tendency to spread in lungs, bone marrow, and liver. Lymphoma can be developed in people of any age. It is mostly found in children and adults aged 15 to 24 years.
Causes
The exact cause of lymphoma is not known yet, but there are certain risk factors that you must be aware of
If you have immune system diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or celiac disease
A weak immune system from organ transplant or HIV/AIDS.
A close relative who has lymphoma
Were exposed to benzene or chemicals that kill bugs
Symptoms
Symptoms of lymphoma include
Swollen glands
Shortness of breath
Cough
Night sweats
Fever
Weight loss
Fatigue
Itching
Treatment
Treatment of lymphoma include:
Biologic therapy
Antibody therapy
Radioimmunotherapy
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
Steroids
Stem cell transplantation
Surg
3. Myeloma
Myeloma is a type of blood cancer. There is no permanent cure to it, but appropriate treatment can slow down its spread and make symptoms go away. When you have multiple myeloma white blood cells called plasma cell makes antibodies that fight infection multiply the wrong way. As the myeloma gets worse, the plasma cell spills out of bone marrow and spreads. It causes damage to the organs.
Causes
The exact cause is not known, but there are certain risk factors like:
Age older than 65
Overweight or obese
Radiation exposure
Contact with chemicals used in a rubber factory
Symptoms
You may not notice symptoms early; it may develop over time
Weakness and fatigue
Bone pain
Weight loss
Constipation
Infections
Thirst
Treatment
Chemotherapy
Corticosteroid
Interferon
Prevention of Cancer
With common symptoms of different kinds of cancers, it is better to know the preventive measures you must take. Since prevention is better than cure, you should not take any symptoms of cancer lightly. If you have had a fever for more than 3 to 4 days, you should immediately go to your doctor for a check-up. Below are some tips to reduce the risk of cancer:
Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating healthy food is essential to reduce the risks of cancer. Eat fruits and vegetables, and avoid junk food as much as you can. If you consume alcohol, drink it occasionally or in moderation as the chances of cancer will increase if you drink regularly.
Maintain Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight will diminish the risks of different types of cancers, such as kidney, lung, colon, and breast cancers.
Exercise Regularly
To lower the risks of cancer, you should exercise regularly or at least indulge in some physical activity such as sports. You can start jogging, yoga, walking, and other activities to remain active all the time. It will also improve your stamina, leading to less fatigue.
Regular Medical Checkups
One of the best ways to lower your risks of cancer is to get medical care on a regular basis. Try to get a physical once a year and take screening tests to know about the signs. If a person has cancer, going through medical checkups regularly will help him/her discover the tumour at an early stage, increasing the chances of successful treatment.
Avoid Tobacco
Consuming tobacco in any form puts you at risk of certain types of cancers. If you smoke regularly, try to quit it or reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke. Moreover, chewing tobacco is also harmful as it can cause cancer in the oral cavity and pancreas.
Protect Your Skin From Sunlight
Since skin cancer is one of the most common cancers, you should protect your skin from UV rays. Whenever you are outside, try to walk in shade or wear clothes that cover most of your skin.
Why You Should Know about the Types of Cancer – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment?
Knowing about the Types of Cancer – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment are quite necessary for everyone. If you know what type of cancers exist, you will be able to take appropriate measures to prevent them. You should have a clear understanding of the causes and symptoms of different cancers. This way, whenever you observe any of those symptoms in your body, you can immediately go to your doctor and discover the disease early. Moreover, once you know everything about the types, signs, and causes of cancer, you can start the treatment at an early stage. You can learn everything about the Types of Cancer from Vedantu’s e-learning platform for absolutely free. We do not charge you any registration fees to study the Types of Cancer and other concepts of biology on our website. So, you can start studying your revisions and exam preparation with Vedantu and achieve an excellent score in your finals.
FAQs on Types of Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
1. What are the main types of cancer based on the tissues they affect?
Cancers are primarily classified based on the tissue from which they originate. The five main types are:
- Carcinoma: Cancer that arises from epithelial tissue, which lines the surfaces of organs and glands. Examples include breast, lung, skin, and colon cancer.
- Sarcoma: Cancer that originates in connective or supportive tissues like bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, or blood vessels.
- Leukaemia: Cancer of the blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow, leading to the production of a large number of abnormal blood cells.
- Lymphoma: Cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system, specifically in the lymphatic system (like lymph nodes or spleen).
- Melanoma: Cancer that develops in the cells (melanocytes) that produce melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its colour.
2. What is the fundamental difference between a benign tumour and a malignant tumour?
The fundamental difference lies in their growth characteristics and ability to spread. A benign tumour is non-cancerous; it grows slowly, remains enclosed in a fibrous capsule, and does not spread to other parts of the body. In contrast, a malignant tumour is cancerous. Its cells grow uncontrollably, invade surrounding tissues, and can spread to distant parts of the body through a process called metastasis, forming secondary tumours.
3. What is Leukaemia and what are its common symptoms?
Leukaemia is a type of cancer that affects the body's blood-forming tissues, primarily the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. In a person with leukaemia, the bone marrow produces an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells that do not function correctly. Common symptoms include:
- Persistent fatigue and weakness
- Frequent or severe infections
- Easy bleeding or bruising, including recurrent nosebleeds
- Fever or chills
- Unexplained weight loss
- Swollen lymph nodes and an enlarged spleen or liver
- Bone pain or tenderness
4. How does a cancerous cell's behaviour differ from a normal cell's?
A cancerous cell differs from a normal cell primarily due to the loss of a property called contact inhibition. Normal cells stop dividing when they come into contact with other cells, which regulates tissue growth. Cancer cells lose this ability and continue to divide uncontrollably, forming a mass of cells called a tumour. They also exhibit unregulated proliferation and are essentially 'immortal,' bypassing the normal signals for cell death (apoptosis).
5. What is the process of metastasis and why is it so dangerous?
Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells break away from the original (primary) tumour, travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and form new tumours in other parts of the body. This process is extremely dangerous because it allows the cancer to spread from a localised, often treatable, condition to a widespread disease that affects multiple organs, making it much more difficult to manage and cure.
6. Why are Carcinomas the most common type of cancer diagnosed in humans?
Carcinomas are the most common type of cancer because they originate in epithelial tissues. These tissues line the internal organs and form the outer layer of the skin. Epithelial cells are constantly dividing to replace old or damaged cells. This high rate of cell division provides more opportunities for genetic mutations to occur and accumulate, which can lead to the uncontrolled growth characteristic of cancer. Furthermore, these tissues are often in direct contact with external carcinogens (e.g., in the lungs, skin, and digestive tract), increasing their risk of becoming cancerous.
7. Can you explain Sarcoma with its key symptoms and treatment methods?
Sarcoma is a cancer of the mesodermal tissues, which include connective and supportive tissues such as bone, muscle, fat, and cartilage. A key symptom is often a noticeable lump or swelling, which may become painful as it presses on surrounding nerves or muscles. Treatment for sarcoma typically involves a combination of approaches, including surgery to remove the tumour, chemotherapy to kill cancer cells throughout the body, and radiation therapy to target and destroy any remaining cancer cells in a specific area.
