Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these cells to invade other tissues, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis. Metastasis is defined as the stage in which cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Cancer may affect people at all ages, but risk tends to increase with age. It is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries.

There are many types of cancer. Severity of symptoms depends on the site and character of the malignancy and whether there is metastasis. A definitive diagnosis usually requires the histologic examination of tissue by a pathologist. This tissue is obtained by biopsy or surgery. Most cancers can be treated and some cured, depending on the specific type, location, and stage. Once diagnosed, cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As research develops, treatments are becoming more specific for the type of cancer pathology. Drugs that target specific cancers already exist for several cancers. If untreated, cancers may eventually cause illness and death, though this is not always the case.

The unregulated growth that characterizes cancer is caused by damage to DNA, resulting in mutations to genes that encode for proteins controlling cell division. Many mutation events may be required to transform a normal cell into a malignant cell. These mutations can be caused by chemicals or physical agents called carcinogens, by close exposure to radioactive materials, or by certain viruses that can insert their DNA into the human genome. Mutations occur spontaneously, or are passed down generations as a result of germ line mutations.

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@creolepimp and give Aretha Franklin Breast Cancer awareness month
Geminknight (J Williams) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:34:30 -0000
@creolepimp and give Aretha Franklin Breast Cancer awareness month
@cupcakemafia I went to the Lyons eye center at the CU Fitzsimmons campus ( where the Cancer Pavilion is)
katanilla (katanilla) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:34:15 -0000
@cupcakemafia I went to the Lyons eye center at the CU Fitzsimmons campus ( where the Cancer Pavilion is)
Harry mencionado num artigo sobre o Teenage Cancer Trust: http://bit.ly/4mXzgT
mcflyportugal (McFly Portugal) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:34:04 -0000
Harry mencionado num artigo sobre o Teenage Cancer Trust: http://bit.ly/4mXzgT
RT @RobDyerS4C: PLEASE VOTE! #HELPS4C OPEN A CANCER COMMUNITY DROP IN CENTER ! PLEASE VOTE ONCE A DAY - http://tinyurl.com/ykaynej
Bloodcrawl (Nikki Ringma) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:34:03 -0000
RT @RobDyerS4C: PLEASE VOTE! #HELPS4C OPEN A CANCER COMMUNITY DROP IN CENTER ! PLEASE VOTE ONCE A DAY - http://tinyurl.com/ykaynej
#cancer info : Spiritual Needs Rank High as Death From Cancer Nears (HealthDay) http://ow.ly/16b5m6
drverma (Dr. Sidharth Verma) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:33:48 -0000
#cancer info : Spiritual Needs Rank High as Death From Cancer Nears (HealthDay) http://ow.ly/16b5m6
Chemotherapy: Cancer Chemotherapy Didn't Work, Watch Breast, Ovarian Video http://bit.ly/4ZSMOG
lefernald (Fernald Leeanne) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:33:44 -0000
Chemotherapy: Cancer Chemotherapy Didn't Work, Watch Breast, Ovarian Video http://bit.ly/4ZSMOG

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