What is Cancer?

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What is Cancer?

DNA damage leading to cellular chaos

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Cancer is a group of diseases that begins in our genes. The genes in a healthy body work together, regulating cell division to ensure that each new cell is an exact replica of the parent cell. When cells are damaged and die, they are repaired and replaced in this way. Due to causes largely remain unknown, however, mutations in genes lead to cellular chaos: cells grow and divide unchecked, and cancer is born. As the abnormal mass of cells grows, blood vessels form to provide the tumor with nutrients. This is called angiogenesis. As the tumor continues to grow, it invades healthy tissue and can spread, or metastasize.

A risk factor is anything that increases a person`s chance of getting a disease. Different cancers have different risk factors. However, having one risk factor, or even several, does not necessarily mean that a person will get cancer. Genetic, hormonal and immune factors and environmental factors (either working alone or in combination) affect the initiation and promotion of cancer

[hamo81]

thanks Helm for this informations

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thanks mohamed
u are welcome

[the_crazy_zende]

thanx helm for the great topic ,, u can be even more specific and start a project taking each tumour individually ,, it`s just an idea i guess it`ll so nice and penificial

[الحلم العربى]

ok crazy zende i will try
thanks so much

[the_crazy_zende]

No , Thank You helm ,
i guess when u build up a project like that , u should be a Great Member not just a Junior one ,, lol , i guess you are great right now but you`ll be even greater when u do so ,, lol

[الحلم العربى]

ok crazy
let us start
but it is very vast

Brain Cancer Overview



Cancers of the brain are abnormal growths of cells in the brain.

• Although such growths are popularly called brain tumors, not all brain tumors are cancer. Cancer is a term reserved for malignant tumors.
• Malignant tumors grow and spread aggressively, overpowering healthy cells by taking their space, blood, and nutrients. (Like all cells of the body, tumor cells need blood and nutrients to survive.)
• Tumors that do not spread aggressively are called benign.
• In general, a benign tumor is less serious than a malignant tumor. But a benign tumor can still cause many problems in the brain.

Primary tumors
The brain is made up of many different types of cells.

• Some brain cancers occur when one type of cell transforms from its normal characteristics. Once transformed, the cells grow and multiply in abnormal ways.
• As these abnormal cells grow, they become a mass of cells, or tumor.
• Brain tumors that result from this transformation and abnormal growth of brain cells are called primary brain tumors because they originate in the brain.
• The most common primary brain tumors are gliomas, meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, vestibular schwannomas, and primitive neuroectodermal tumors (medulloblastomas). The term glioma includes astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, ependymomas, and choroid plexus papillomas.
• Most of these primary tumors are named after the part of the brain or the type of brain cell from which they arise.

Metastatic brain tumors
Metastatic brain tumors are made of cancerous cells from a tumor elsewhere in the body. The cells spread to the brain from another tumor in a process called metastasis. About 25% of tumors elsewhere in the body metastasize to the brain.
In the United States, brain tumors affect about one of every 5,000 people

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Brain Cancer Causes



As with tumors elsewhere in the body, the exact cause of most brain tumors is unknown. Genetic factors, various environmental toxins, radiation, and cigarette smoking have all been linked to cancers of the brain, but in most cases, no clear cause can be shown. The following factors have been proposed as possible risk factors for primary brain tumors. Whether these factors actually increase the risk of a brain tumor is not known for sure.

• Radiation to the head
• An inherited (genetic) risk
• HIV infection

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Brain Cancer Symptoms



Not all brain tumors cause symptoms, and some (such as tumors of the pituitary gland) are found mainly after death. The symptoms of brain tumors are numerous and not specific to brain tumors, meaning they can be caused by many other illnesses as well. The only way to know for sure what is causing the symptoms is to undergo diagnostic testing.

• The symptoms are caused by the tumor pressing on or encroaching on other parts of your brain and keeping them from functioning normally.
• Some symptoms are caused by swelling in the brain caused by the tumor or surrounding inflammation.
• The symptoms of primary and metastatic brain cancers are similar.

The following symptoms are most common:

• Headache
• Weakness
• Clumsiness
• Difficulty walking
• Seizures

Other nonspecific symptoms and signs include the following:

• Altered mental status: changes in concentration, memory, attention, or alertness
• Nausea, vomiting: especially early in the morning
• Abnormalities in vision
• Difficulty with speech
• Gradual changes in intellectual or emotional capacity

In many people, the onset of these symptoms is very gradual and may be overlooked by both the person with the brain tumor and the family. Occasionally, however, these symptoms appear more rapidly. In some instances, the person acts as if he or she is having a stroke.

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When to Seek Medical Care



See your health-care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Unexplained, persistent vomiting
• Double vision or unexplained blurring of vision, especially on only one side
• Lethargy or increased sleepiness
• New seizures
• New pattern or type of headaches

Although headaches are thought to be a common symptom of brain cancer, they may not occur until late in the progression of the disease. If any significant change in your headache pattern occurs, your health-care provider may suggest that you go the hospital.

If you have a known brain tumor, any new symptoms or relatively sudden or rapid worsening of symptoms warrants a trip to the nearest hospital emergency department. Be on the lookout for the following new symptoms:

• Seizures
• Changes in mental status, such as excessive sleepiness, memory problems, or inability to concentrate
• Visual changes or other sensory problems
• Difficulty with speech or in expressing yourself
• Changes in behavior or personality
• Clumsiness or difficulty walking
• Nausea or vomiting (especially in middle-aged or older people)
• Sudden onset of fever, especially after chemotherapy

it is enough now