Different Types of Cancers: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

 A set of illnesses collectively known as cancer is defined by the uncontrolled division and proliferation of aberrant cells. The process of metastasis, in which these cells infect nearby tissues and spread to different areas of the body, can occur if left unchecked. Although there are over 100 different forms of cancer, each with its own special traits, the most prevalent kinds are covered in the sections that follow.

1. Breast Cancer

Symptoms:

An enlargement in the breast
A change in the breast's dimensions, form, or appearance
Secretion from the breasts (other than breast milk)
Dimpling and other changes to the breast's skin

Causes:

Mutations in the genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, etc.)
Breast cancer in the family history
Hormonal factors (such as late menopause or early menstruation)
Lifestyle variables (such as obesity and alcohol use)

Treatments:

Surgery (mastectomy or lumpectomy)
Radiation treatment
Chemotherapy
Hormone treatment (tamoxifen, for example)
Targeted treatment, such as HER2 inhibitors

2. Lung Cancer

Symptoms:

Chronic cough that gets worse with time
Chest ache
Breathlessness
Unexpected weight reduction
Spitting up blood

Causes:

The primary cause is smoking.
Being exposed to radon
Carcinogen exposure at work (e.g., asbestos)
Lung cancer in the family history

Treatments:

Surgery (pneumonectomy, lobectomy)
Radiation treatment
Chemotherapy
Targeted treatment (EGFR inhibitors, for example)
Immunotherapy

3. Prostate Cancer

Symptoms:

Poor urine flow or difficulty peeing
Blood in the semen or pee
Impotence
Advanced stages of hip, back, or chest pain
Unexpected weight reduction

Causes:

Age (more prevalent in males over 50)
Prostate cancer in the family history
Genetic alterations, such as BRCA2
A diet heavy in dairy or red meat

Treatments:

Active monitoring (for tumors with a modest growth rate)
Prostatectomy surgery
Radiation treatment
Therapy involving hormones (androgen deficiency)
In more advanced situations, chemotherapy

4. Colorectal Cancer

Symptoms:

Bowel habit changes (constipation, diarrhea, etc.)
Stool with blood
Discomfort or pain in the abdomen
Unexpected weight reduction
Fatigue

Causes:

Age (usually found in those above 50)
Polyps or colorectal cancer in the family history
Colitis and Crohn's disease are examples of inflammatory bowel diseases.
A diet heavy in processed and red meat

Treatments:

Procedure (colectomy)
Radiation treatment
Chemotherapy
Targeted treatment (VEGF inhibitors, for example)
Immunotherapy

5. Skin Cancer (Melanoma and Non-Melanoma)

Symptoms:

Newly formed growths or unhealing sores
Modifications to the current moles (size, shape, color)
Sensitive, uncomfortable, or itchy areas
Moles with erratic margins or multicolored pigmentation

Causes:

UV radiation emitted by tanning beds or the sun
Light hair, freckles, and fair skin
Skin cancer in the family history
Exposure to certain substances, such as arsenic

Treatments:

Surgically excising the afflicted region
Radiation treatment
Chemotherapy in more severe situations
Immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors, for example)
Sun prevention and routine skin examinations

6. Leukemia

Symptoms:

Weakness and exhaustion
Recurring infections
Simple bleeding or bruises
Joint or bone ache
Enlarged liver, spleen, or lymph nodes

Causes:

Mutations in genes
Radiation or specific chemical (benzene, for example) exposure
Leukemia in the family history
Some blood conditions (like myelodysplastic syndrome)

Treatments:

Chemotherapy
Radiation treatment
Transplantation of stem cells
Targeted treatment (tyrosine kinase inhibitors, for example)
Immunotherapy

7. Pancreatic Cancer

Symptoms:

Back discomfort originating in the abdomen
Jaundice, or the yellowing of the eyes and skin
Unexpected weight reduction
Appetite decline
Diabetes with new onset

Causes:

Consuming tobacco
History of pancreatic cancer in the family
Prolonged pancreatitis
Obesity and high-fat diet

Treatments:

Procedure (Whipple) surgery
Radiation treatment
Chemotherapy
Personalized treatment
Palliative care for the treatment of symptoms

8. Ovarian Cancer

Symptoms:

Abdominal bloating or swelling
Pain in the abdomen or pelvis
Having trouble eating or getting satisfied quickly
Urinating frequently or urgently
Weight loss

Causes:

Mutations in the genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, etc.)
History of ovarian cancer in the family
Hormonal factors: using hormone replacement treatment, for example
Age (women over 50 are more likely to have it)

Treatments:

Operations (hysterectomy, oophorectomy)
Chemotherapy
Targeted treatment, such as PARP inhibitors,
Hormone treatment
Advanced phases of palliative care

9. Bladder Cancer

Symptoms:

Urine containing blood (hematuria)
Discomfort when urinating
Recurring urination
Need to urinate immediately
Back or stomach ache (in its advanced stages)

Causes:

The primary cause is smoking.
Chemical exposure at work (such as in the rubber and dye industries)
Persistent infection of the bladder
Bladder cancer in the family history

Treatments:

Surgery (cystectomy, transurethral resection)
Radiation treatment
Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy (vaccines such as BCG)
Targeted treatment for more complex situations

10. Liver Cancer

Symptoms:

Unexpected weight reduction
Appetite decline
Ache in the upper abdomen
Slight jaundice
Abdomen edema

Causes:

Persistent hepatitis B or C infection
Cirrhosis hepatica
Overindulgence in alcohol
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Treatments:

Surgery (liver transplant, partial hepatectomy)
Cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Radiation treatment
Chemotherapy
Targeted treatment, such as sorafenib

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