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Cancer is the general name for over 100 medical conditions involving uncontrolled and dangerous cell growth. Scientists suggest that some cancer is caused by genetic factors, while other forms are caused by environmental conditions. In other words, one patient may already have a family history of breast cancer while another was exposed to a carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemical in a factory. Both suffer from cancer--the only difference is the root mechanism which triggered the abnormal cell growth. Because cancer begins at the microscopic cellular level, the first signs of a malignant (actively cancerous) growth are nearly impossible to detect without special tests and training. In the case of pancreatic cancer, for example, there is little to no pain involved as the first malignant cells form around the organ. As the tumor becomes more organized, new blood vessels may form to feed it directly or older vessels may be diverted. Meanwhile, the host body may only experience a few symptoms which resemble many other conditions besides cancer. Only after a sample of suspicious tissue has been removed and tested (biopsied) can many cancer forms be diagnosed. One of the most insidious aspects of cancer is the way it grows. As the tumor outgrows the original organ, pieces of malignant tissue often break off (metastasize) and enter the bloodstream or lymph system. The cancer cells can then attach themselves to other vulnerable organs and form new tumors. Thus a patient with pancreatic cancer may eventually suffer from lung, brain, kidney, breast or colon cancer as well. This is why cancer specialists (oncologists) place so much emphasis on containing malignant tumors to their place of origin. |
