Pathogenesis of Cancer Notes

Pathogenesis of Cancer Notes

Signs of Cancer

• Early Symptoms: Recognizing cancer early increases treatability.

  • Sores that do not heal

  • Unusual bleeding

  • Changes in a wart or mole

  • Painless lumps or thickening in tissues

  • Anemia (low hemoglobin) and persistent fatigue

  • Persistent hoarseness or cough

  • Chronic indigestion

  • Changes in bowel/bladder function

  • Specific bone pain (wakes at night, unilateral)

• Oral Cancer Symptoms:

  • Sores on face, neck, mouth (bleed and don’t heal within 2 weeks)

  • Swellings/thickenings in mouth

  • Velvety white/red patches on mouth

  • Numbness or tenderness in face/mouth/necks

  • Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving jaw/tongue

  • Other symptoms: ear pain, weight loss, change in teeth fitting

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

• Tobacco Use:

  • Cigarettes, cigars, pipes: 6 times higher risk of developing cancer than non-smokers.

  • Smokeless tobacco: 50 times higher risk of cancers of lips, cheeks, and gums.

• Alcohol Consumption:

  • Oral cancers occur about six times more in drinkers than non-drinkers.

• Genetics:

  • Family history of cancer increases risk.

• Sun Exposure:

  • Excessive sun exposure, especially during youth, contributes to risk.

  • Over 25% of oral cancers occur in non-smokers, occasional drinkers.

Survival Rates

• 1-year survival for oral cavity and pharynx cancers: 81%.

• 5-year survival: 56%.

• 10-year survival: 41%.

Detection Methods

• Self-Examination:

  • Monthly breast self-exams for women.

  • Regular skin and organ self-examinations recommended.

• Oral Self-Exam: Use bright light/mirror to inspect:

  • Lips, gums, roof, inside cheeks, tongue, throat.

  • Examine for lumps/enlarged lymph nodes.

• Professional Screenings:

  • Regular dental exams for detecting abnormal spots.

  • Recommended for those over 20 every 3 years and annually over 40.

• Procedures Used in Detection:

  • Toluidine Blue Stain: A blue dye applied to lesions; early staining indicates greater cancer risk.

  • Fluorescence Staining: Light-activated rinse to distinguish normal and abnormal tissues.

  • Exfoliative Cytology: Scraping cells from the mouth for microscopy.

  • Brush Biopsy: Collecting cells from lesions to check for abnormalities.

  • Biopsy: Removal of tissue for testing.

  • Imaging: MRI, CT scans, and ultrasounds to visualize tumors.

  • Blood Tests: Changes in blood components (e.g., calcium levels in bone cancer).

Treatment Options for Oral Cavity Cancers

• Surgery:

  • Tumor and surrounding tissue removal.

  • May involve jawbone removal and reconstructive surgery.

• Treatment Adjuncts:

  • Laser Therapy: Destroys tumors using lasers.

  • Chemotherapy: Uses cytotoxic drugs to destroy remaining cells.

  • Radiation therapy: Destroys cancer cells; has side effects due to damage to normal cells.

• Combination Treatments: Adapted based on cancer site, size, and lymph node involvement.

Systemic Effects of Malignant Tumors

• Weight Loss and Cachexia: Can occur alongside malignancy due to various factors (loss of appetite, stress).

• Anemia: Resulting from chronic bleeding or inadequate nutrition.

• Infections: Weak immunity leads to increased risk of infections.

• Bleeding: Tumors can erode blood vessels, leading to risk of anemia.

Preventative Measures Against Cancer

1. Avoid Smoking: Reduction in both smoking and exposure (secondhand smoke) reduces cancer risk.

2. Practice Sun Safety: Recognize skin changes, apply sunscreen, and wear protective clothing.

3. Eat Fruits & Vegetables: Foods rich in antioxidants protect against cell damage.

4. Limit Red Meat and Animal Fats: High fat intake linked to increased cancer risk.

5. Limit Alcohol Intake: Excessive alcohol consumption linked to various types of cancer.

6. Exercise Regularly: Routine physical activity decreases cancer risk.

7. Know Your Medical History: Family history can signal risk for hereditary cancers.

8. Know Exposure Risks in Work Environment: Chemical exposure may increase cancer risk - communicate with employers.

9. Practice Safe Sex: Reduces risk of HPV, which is linked to cancer.

10. Regular Screening: Routine cancer screenings aid in early detection.