Tumor - Abnormal Cells with Abnormal Functions
Called Neoplasms, Which Can Wreck Havoc on Surrounding Tissue
Sep 22, 2009
A tumor is an abnormal growth, often harmless, cluster of cells and often confused with cysts.
Cyst
Cysts are closed pouches filled with either a liquid or a solid material. For example, cysts can be formed by:
- blood
- pus
- clogged pores
- debris after an infection
- fat cells
- hormones
Benign Tumor
Benign tumors are normally not dangerous, and grow as a single mass that is usually easy to remove surgically.
Medically they are referred to as tumor in situ, within their original and localized borders. However, they can be quite harmful if they:
- Increase in size
- Continue to grow and invade the space of normal cells
- Spread to surrounding tissue thus destroying normal cells
The fact that the tumor is growing and compressing vital tissue is concerning because the new cells (neoplasm) are not programmed to perform normal cellular function. Additionally, the compressed cells become damaged and their function compromised.
Malignant Tumor
The term malignant means cancer. The word cancer means crab, and these cancer cells spread by sending crablike extensions into surrounding healthy tissue.
Some malignancies grow and spread (metastasis) very quickly, while other types of cancers are slower growing.
Regardless of the type of cancer present, immediate medical attention is required for optimal outcomes.
Warning Signs
Cancer is not the kind of disease that makes its presence obvious, and the symptoms often mimic other conditions.
Below is a list of many of the warning signs associated with cancer. Immediate medical attention is advised:
- A sore that doesn't heal
- Change in the appearance, shape, size, or color of a mole, freckle, birthmark, or wart.
- Persistent red patchy area that flakes and possibly bleeds.
- Persistent cough or hoarseness.
- A lump.
- Bleeding from the rectum or any unusual bleeding anywhere else.
- Nipple discharge from one or both breasts.
- Persistent indigestion.
- Sudden and unplanned weight loss.
- White patches or white spots on the tongue or in the mouth.
- A persistent sore in the mouth.
The earlier the medical intervention the greater the chance of a successful outcome.
Classification
Cancer can be classified by its origination and tissue type.
A carcinoma means the cancer originated in epithelium tissue. Epithelium tissue is found in the following organs:
- mouth
- skin
- lungs
- breast
- stomach
- colon
- prostate
- uterus
Carcinomas usually spread (metastasis) systemically using the vessels and nodes of the lymphatic system.
Another type of cancer is called a sarcoma, which means the cancer originated in connective tissue.
Connective tissue is an incredibly strong and flexible type of muscular tissue that supports, binds, and forms the structures of muscles, bones, and organs. Connective tissue is necessary to anchor bone to bone, and bone to muscle.
Sarcoma metastasis uses the bloodstream and often with this type of cancer, secondary growths can be found in the lungs.
Staging
It is important to determine not only the type of cancer but also the extent of growth. This information can then be used to develop an appropriate plan of care, and to evaluate potential outcomes.
Staging is the procedure for establishing this information and is achieved through diagnostic tests.
Screening
It has been said that more than 50% of all cancers can be treated successfully if diagnosed and treated early. For this reason, extensive screening tests have been developed to catch cancer in its infancy before it has matured into advanced stages.
Screening tests are available for a number of potential cancers:
- skin
- mouth and tongue
- breast
- rectum
- cervical
- ovarian
- prostate
In conclusion, finding a tumor does not necessarily mean cancer has been detected. However even benign tumors can be problematic and interfere with normal functioning of surrounding tissue.
Early detection means early treatment, which increases the chances of a better outcome.
 |
