Alterations in Cellular Proliferation

Alterations in Cellular Proliferation: Solid and Liquid Tumors

What is Cancer?

• Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cellular growth and division that can spread and invade other organs and tissues.
• This can lead to impairment and dysfunction of the invaded organ.
• Rapid cell growth can cause masses called tumors.
• Tumors can be benign or malignant.
• There are over 200 types of cancers.
• Cancer can start almost anywhere in the body.
• Cancer spreads through metastasis.
• Metastasis involves cancer cells spreading through the lymphatic system to form tumors in other body parts.

Lung Cancer

• Malignant tumors that grow in the lungs.
• Leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
• Men have higher rates than women (higher smoking rates).
• Second most common cancer among men and women in the US.
• 80% of lung cancers are linked to cigarette and tobacco smoke, but it also occurs in non-smokers.
• Radon exposure is the second risk factor.
• Other environmental factors include pollution.
• Family history and genetics also play a role.

Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) vs. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

• Smaller sized cells that grow and spread quickly.
• Two subtypes exist.
• Represents 13% to 15% of lung cancers.
• Staged as limited or extensive.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

• Larger sized cells that are more slow-growing.
• Three subtypes exist.
• Most common type of lung cancer.
• Staging ranges from 0-4.

Types of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Adenocarcinoma

• Most common form.
• Usually begins in the outer regions of the lungs.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Tends to cause early symptoms.
• Usually begins in the bronchial tubes.

Large Cell Carcinoma

• Tends to grow rapidly and cause late symptoms.
• Usually begins in the outer edges of the lungs.

Early and Advanced Lung Cancer Symptoms

Early Symptoms

• Chronic coughing
• Pain in chest
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Hoarseness or wheezing
• Coughing up blood

Late Symptoms

• Pain in back or hip bones
• Swollen lymph nodes in neck or collarbone
• Nervous system issues like seizures or problems with balance
• Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)

Lung Cancer Treatment

• Chemotherapy: Can kill healthy cells.
• Targeted Therapy: Minimizes damage to normal cells.
• Surgery
• Immunotherapy

Risk Factors for Lung Cancer

• Mental Stress
• Tobacco Consumption
• Age
• Lifestyle (Poor Diet and Exercise)
• Air Pollutants (Radon, Asbestos, Ozone, Particulate Matter, etc.)

Colon Cancer

Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer

• Race: African Americans are at higher risk.
• Being Overweight or Obese
• Being Older: Risk increases with age.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease increase risk.
• Alcohol Use
• Not Being Physically Active
• Personal and Family History: Having a parent, sibling, or child with colorectal cancer increases risk.
• Diets high in Red and Processed Meats
• Smoking

Colon Cancer Details

• Occurs in the colon (longest part of the intestine).
• Usually begins as precancerous polyps.
• The anatomy of the colon involves the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum.

Primary Stages of Colon Cancer

• Stage 0
• Stage I
• Stage II
• Stage III (Spread to lymph nodes)
• Stage IV (Spread to organs)

Signs & Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

• Changes in bowel habits
• Rectal tenesmus (Feeling the urge to pass motion even if bowel is empty)
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Rectal bleeding
• Blood in stool
• Weight loss
• Iron deficiency or anemia

Common Colon Cancer Treatments

• Polyp Removal: Removal of cancerous polyps during a colonoscopy.
• Surgery: Removal of part or all of the colon.
• Chemotherapy: Can be before or after surgery to shrink tumors.
• Metastasis Measures: Additional surgeries, radiation, ablation, and/or more.

Brain Cancer

• Malignant tumors that originate in brain tissue.
• Primary brain cancers start in the brain.
• Secondary brain cancers spread to the brain from other parts of the body (metastatic tumors).

Types of Brain Cancers

• Gliomas: Originate from glial cells, support nerve cells. Glioblastomas are the most common and aggressive.
• Meningiomas: Originate in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Usually benign, but can be malignant.
• Medulloblastoma: Originates in the cerebellum and is the most common cancer in children.

Metastatic Brain Tumors

• Lung Cancer
• Skin Cancer
• Breast Cancer

Signs & Symptoms of Brain Cancer

• Hearing abnormality
• Memory dysfunction or confusion
• Obstructive communication
• Balancing problem
• Nausea, Vomiting and Drowsiness
• Changes in personality, behavior and thought
• Numbness on the hands and legs
• Blurred or double vision
• Seizure incident

Brain Tumors Therapies

• Cold Atmospheric Plasma
• Radiotherapy
• Ablation Therapy
• Tumor Treating Fields
• Physical Therapies
• CAR T Therapy
• Photodynamic
• Medication Therapies Surgical Resection Immunotherapy

Leukemias & Lymphomas

• Liquid tumors

Leukemia Risk Factors

• Genetic Conditions
• Smoking
• Gender
• Radiation Exposure
• Work Exposure to Chemicals
• Race and Ethnicity
• Family History

Leukemia

• Type of cancer that affects the bone marrow.
• Bone marrow produces blood cells.
• Leukemia is the overproduction of white blood cells called Blasts (immature WBCs).
• Leads to impairment in the production of RBCs and Platelets.

Types of Leukemia

• Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL): Most common in children, but can affect adults.
• Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): More common in older adults, but can occur in children.
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Most common in adults and occurs after middle age.
• Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Occurs during or after middle age.
• Leukemia is often not symptomatic, especially in chronic forms.

Common symptoms of Leukemia

• Systemic: Weight loss, fever, frequent infections, night sweats
• Lungs: Easy shortness of breath
• Muscular: Weakness
• Bones or joints: Pain or tenderness
• Psychological: Fatigue, loss of appetite
• Lymph nodes: Swelling
• Spleen and/or liver: Enlargement
• Skin: Easy bleeding and bruising, purplish patches or spots

Leukemia Diagnosis

• Physical and Medical History Evaluation
• Blood Tests
• Bone Marrow Aspiration
• Radiological Examinations
• Spinal Tap

Treatment Options

• Chemotherapy: Kills fast-growing cells, including aggressive cancer cells.
• Stem cell transplant: Stimulates production of healthy cells in the bone marrow.
• Radiation therapy: Kills cancer cells that have settled in organs like the liver or spleen.
• Targeted therapy: Seeks out and attacks only leukemic cells.
• Immunotherapy: Helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.

Lymphoma

• Hodgkin's vs Non-Hodgkin's
• Cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, part of the body’s immune system.
• Involves abnormal growth of lymphocytes, leading to tumors.
• Lymphocytes are a type of WBC.

Known Risk Factors for Developing Lymphoma

• Occupational Exposures: Textiles, heavy automotive equipment, welding, farming, landscaping, hair and cosmetics may be at increased risk.
• Viruses/Bacteria: HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C virus or Helicobacter pylori infections increase risk.
• Ethnicity: NHL is more common in those with Caucasian ethnic background.
• Immunosuppressants: Those taking immunosuppressants are more susceptible to NHL.
• Older Age: NHL incidence increases in older individuals.
• Gender: NHL is more common in men than women.

Hodgkin vs Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Hodgkin Lymphoma

• Localized, single group of nodes; contiguous spread.
• Many patients have a relatively good prognosis.
• Characterized by Reed-Sternberg cells.
• Bimodal distribution-young adulthood and > 55 years; more common in men except for nodular sclerosing type.
• Associated with EBV.
• Constitutional ("B") signs/symptoms: low-grade fever, night sweats, weight loss.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

• Multiple lymph nodes involved; extranodal involvement common; noncontiguous spread.
• Majority involve B cells; a few are of T-cell lineage.
• Can occur in children and adults.
• May be associated with HIV and autoimmune diseases.
• May present with constitutional signs/symptoms.

Signs of Lymphoma

• fever or night sweats
• shortness of breath
• fatigue
• loss of appetite
• swollen lymph gland in the neck, groin or armpit
• weakness
• easy bruising
• pale skin
• slow healing of wounds
• joint pain

Common Treatments for Lymphoma

• Watchful Waiting: If lymphoma is slow-growing and not causing symptoms.
• Targeted Therapy: Drugs and immunotherapy medications target certain proteins and receptors in cancer cells, slowing growth and boosting the immune system
• Chemotherapy: Medication is usually delivered through an IV infusion or via an injection
• External Radiation: Doctors use an x-ray machine to direct a beam of radiation toward the area where cancer cells are concentrated., over the course of several weeks.