Understanding
Cancer
Niazy . B Hussamaldin
PhD Clinical Pharmcy
What Is Cancer?
 Cancer
is a large group
of diseases (over 200)
characterized by
uncontrolled growth and
spread of abnormal
cells.*
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Cancer is one of the most common diseases in
the developed world:
1 of 4 deaths are due to cancer
1 of 17 deaths are due to lung cancer
Lung cancer is the most common cancer in men
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in
women
There are over 100 different forms of cancer
Benign or malignant?
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Benign tumours do not spread from their site of origin,
but can crowd out (squash) surrounding cells eg brain
tumour, warts.
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Malignant tumours can spread from the original site
and cause secondary tumours. This is called
metastasis. They interfere with neighbouring cells and
can block blood vessels, the gut, glands, lungs etc.
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Why are secondary tumours so bad?
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Both types of tumour can tire the body out as they
both need a huge amount of nutrients to sustain the
rapid growth and division of the cells.
Some Tumors Are Cancer, Others
Are Not
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Benign, e.g., moles
Slow growth
 Expands in the same tissue; does not spread
 Cells look nearly normal
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Malignant
Rapid growth
 Invades surrounding tissue and metastasizes
 Cell differentiation usually poor
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Benign Tumors
 . A benign tumor is not a malignant tumor,
which is cancer. It does not invade nearby
tissue or spread to other parts of the body
the way cancer can. In most cases, the
outlook with benign tumors is very good. But
benign tumors can be serious if they press on
vital structures such as blood vessels or
nerves. Therefore, sometimes they require
treatment and other times they do not.
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Causes of Benign Tumors
What causes a benign tumor to form? Often
the cause is unknown. But the growth of a
benign tumor might be linked to:
Environmental toxins, such as exposure to
radiation
Genetics
Diet
Stress
Local trauma or injury
Inflammation or infection
Treatment of Benign Tumors
 In many cases, benign tumors need no
treatment.
 treatment may be needed if symptoms
are a problem. Surgery is a common
type of treatment for benign tumors.
The goal is to remove the tumor
without damaging surrounding tissues.
 Other types of treatment may include
medication or radiation
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Common Types of Benign Tumors
1. Adenomas from epithelial tissue of a
gland or gland-like structure
2. Fibromas are tumors of fibric or connective
tissue
3. Hemangiomas buildup of blood vessel cells
in the skin or internal organs
4. Lipomas grow from fat cells
Normal Moles Are Common
Examples of Benign Growths
Main Features of Benign and
Malignant Tumors
Growth of Cancer Cells
 Cancer cells multiply
every 2-6 weeks.
2-6 weeks
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2-6 weeks
Size of cancer cells:
 One million cancer
cells = head of a pin
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2-6 weeks
One billion cancer
cells = a small grape
Cancer Is Named for the Site in
the Body Where It First Develops
Signs and Symptoms of
Cancer
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Change in bowel habits or bladder functions
Sores that do not heal
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Lumps or thickening of breast or other parts of
the body
Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
Recent change in wart or mole
Persistent coughing or hoarseness
Types of Cancers
 Carcinomas (cells
that cover internal and
external body surfaces)
Lung
Breast
Leukemia
(Blood Cells)
Lymphomas
(Lymph nodes &tissues)
Colon
Bladder
Prostate
(Men)
Sarcomas
Cells in supportive
tissues – bones &
muscles
What Causes Cancer?
Lifestyle
Environment
Others causes
Family History
Lifestyle Risks
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Smoking
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Diet high fat and low in
fruits and vegetables
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Lack of exercise
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Unprotected exposure
to the sun, (UV) rays
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Obesity
Environmental Risks
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Second hand smoke
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Air pollution
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Industrial pollution
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Chemical exposures
Inherited Risks
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Less than 15% of
cancers are inherited
Gene mutations are
linked to some
inherited cancers
Cancers that may be
caused by inherited
gene mutations are:
 Colon cancer
 Breast cancer
 Ovarian
 Prostate cancer
 Skin cancer
1.A tumor marker is a substance found in the
blood, urine, or body tissues that can be elevated
in cancer
2.There are many different tumor markers, each
indicative of a particular disease process
3.An elevated level of a tumor marker can
indicate cancer; however, there can also be other
causes of the elevation.
4.Tumor markers can be produced directly by the
tumor or by non-tumor cells as a response to the
presence of a tumor.
5. Most tumor markers are tumor antigens, but not
all tumor antigens can be used as tumor markers
Others causes e.g.
1.
2.
Contraceptive pills
human papillomaviruses (HPVs)
Some bacteria e.g. Helicobacter pylori
4. Some carcinogenic drugs
3.
Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk
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A number of studies suggest that current use of oral
contraceptives appears to slightly increase the risk of
breast cancer, especially among younger women
Women who use oral contraceptives have reduced
risks of ovarian and endometrial cancer. This
protective effect increases with the length of time
oral contraceptives are used.
Oral contraceptive use is associated with an
increased risk of cervical cancer
Women who take oral contraceptives have an
increased risk of benign liver tumors, but the
relationship between oral contraceptive use and
malignant liver tumors is less clear
studies have shown that individuals
infected with H. pylori have an increased
risk of gastric adenocarcinoma
 A possible association between H. pylori
infection and pancreatic cancer was
suggested by several small epidemiology
studies that found an increased risk of
pancreatic cancer among patients who
had been treated with surgery for peptic
ulcer disease up to 20 years earlier.
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Medical Imaging Can Reveal
the Site and Size of Tumors
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Medical imaging
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging):
reveals tumors obscured by bone
 X-rays
 Ultrasound
 CT (computerized tomography)
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Medical Imaging Can Reveal
the Site and Size of Tumors
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Radioactive tracers
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Tracked using a PET scanner
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Diagnosis of thyroid cancer using radioactive
iodine
Radioactively labeled monoclonal
antibodies
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Useful in the location and size of certain
tumors in the colon, brain, and bone
Radioactive Tracers Also Can
Reveal Cancer Tumors
Biopsy Is the Only Sure Way
to Diagnose Cancer
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Biopsy
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Removal and microscopic examination of
tissue
Seven common cancer signs: CAUTION
Cancer Treatment and Prevention
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When a person is diagnosed with cancer, a
variety of weapons are available to combat it
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Chemotherapy drugs
Radiation therapy
Surgery
Transplantation
Other Treatment Methods
1.Angiogenesis Inhibitors
2.Biological Therapy
3.Cancer Vaccines
4.laser therapy
5.drug targeting
Chemotherapy and Radiation
Kill Cancer Cells
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Chemotherapy
Drugs used to kill cancer cells; disrupt some
aspect of cell division
 Toxic to healthy cells; hair, bone marrow,
lymphocytes, and epithelial cells of intestinal
lining
 Side effects include hair loss, nausea, vomiting,
and reduced immune responses
 Genetic approach to chemo in the future
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Chemotherapy and Radiation
Kill Cancer Cells
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Radiation therapy
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Used when cancer is small or has
not spread
Radioisotopes used, e.g., Ra-226
and Co-60
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Chemotherapy and radiation
destroy healthy cells
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More precise treatments
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Monoclonal antibody treatment
Interferon treatment; limited at
present
Good News!
Other Ways to Reduce
the Risks of Developing
Cancer…
Avoid Smoking or Chewing
Tobacco
Cigarette smoking is the
leading cause of preventable
death in the US
 Second hand smoke affects
everyone
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Fruits and Vegetables
Decrease Cancer Risks
Cancer rates could
decline by up to
20% if everyone
consumed 5 fruits and
vegetables a day!*
 Cancer fighting
substances:
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*American Institute for Cancer Research, 1998.
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Antioxidants
Dietary fiber
Carotenoids
Flavenoids
Reduce Your Skin Exposure to
the Sun
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Limit time outside,
between 10 a.m. & 4 p.m.
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Wear protective clothing.
Use wide-brimmed hats
and sunglasses.
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Prevent sunburns,
especially for children
under 18. Use
waterproof sunscreen of
SPF 15 or higher.
Reapply as directed.
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Avoid tanning beds.
Be Active…Often
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Exercise for 30 minutes or
more at least 4 days a
week.
Thanks