Currently, thanks to advances in science and medicine, we can differentiate more than 200 different diseases under the common denominator of cancer.
Each of them presents unique characteristics, which in some cases are completely different from the rest of the other cancers, and can be considered independent diseases, with their causes, their evolution and their particular treatment, but they have in common uncontrolled cell growth and the ability to spread locally or distantly (metastasis).
The main types of cancer that currently exist are:
Cancer and a tumor are not the same!
Tumors can be benign or malignant. When the tumor is benign, the cells multiply uncontrollably, but do not spread to other parts of the body, it does not usually pose a risk to the patient’s life, but if it is not treated in time, it can transform into a malignant or cancerous tumor and become in a lethal risk for the health of the person.
The name of the cancer is always related to the organ or tissue of origin and is what is known as a primary tumor, for example; lung cancer.
The cancer expansion process begins by invading the surrounding tissues and penetrating the blood and lymphatic vessels. In this process the tumor can be located in different organs and in different locations within the same organ. This phenomenon is called metastasis.
On some occasions, metastases can be identified before diagnosing the original tumor, when analyzing and identifying the type of cells that compose it, the organ of origin can be suspected.
At Marcare Clinic, we review, maintain, and offer a quality health service in Hamilton, Ontario.
If you need to visit your doctor for a general medical review or receive advice on improving your quality of life, do not hesitate to contact us.
