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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British Medical Journal: Second Primary Cancers after Childhood Cancer - Article discussing risk of secondary Cancer in individuals that had the disease in childhood.
CancerBACUP: Children's Cancers - Provides general information, diagnosis, causes, treatment, clinical trials, resources, and types of childhood cancer.
Meta Description: [ Information about children's cancers, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, side effects and further resources. ]
Childhood Cancer Awareness Postage Stamp Campaign - Effort to raise awareness and education of the toll cancer takes on children, adolescents, and families.
Meta Description: [ Domain name renewal and affordable web hosting packages from Network Solutions ]
Children's Cancer Web - A non-profit site with comprehensive information on specific childhood cancers including an annotated directory of related links.
CureSearch - Provides information on childhood cancer for patients, their families, physicians, and health care advisors.
Meta Description: [ CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation and Children' s Oncology Group are partners in the search to cure childhood cancer; each with vital responsibilities concerning research; care; public awareness and fundraising. ]
National Cancer Institute: Childhood Cancers - Information provided about pediatric cancers, treatments, prevention, resources, clinical trials, statistics, testing, and screening.
Meta Description: [ Information about childhood (pediatric) cancers: treatment, clinical trials, research, statistics, and other topics from the National Cancer Institute. ]
NCI: Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer - Information about how childhood cancer survivors have an increased risk of developing a second cancer later in life.
Meta Description: [ Expert-reviewed information summary about the late effects of treatment for childhood cancer. Monitoring issues are also discussed. ]
Pediatric Oncology Resource Center - Resources, web links, and references related for parents, friends, and families of children who have or had childhood cancer.
Teenage Cancer Trust - Mission is to raise funds, educate, and support teenagers fighting cancer. Provides information about health facts, challenges, conferences, events, news, shop, links, donations, and a forum. [UK]
Meta Description: [ Welcome to the Teenage Cancer Trust Website ]
Young People with Cancer: A Handbook for Parents - This guide addresses some of the most common questions about cancer in the young, combining medical information with practical suggestions.
| How CLIC Sargent helps children with cancer |