Seeing a cancer specialist can increase your knowledge about different types of cancer. Understanding each type can help increase your awareness of its symptoms. Consulting an experienced cancer doctor can also answer any questions that you may have. Here are facts that a cancer specialist may share about different types of cancer.
This type of cancer targets the connective and soft tissues. Blood vessels, fat, cartilage, bone, and muscles are often affected. The Moffitt Cancer Center states that there are at least 70 different types of sarcomas. The type depends on factors such as the location.
A cancer specialist may explain the symptoms of sarcoma. These include weight loss and a painless lump under the skin. Patients may also have abdominal pain and bone pain. There could also be a broken bone after a slight injury.
Generally, cancers form when there are mutations in the DNA. The genes inside the cells contain DNA. Each set of DNA contains information on how the cell should divide, grow, and perform. Mutations make each cell divide, grow, and perform abnormally. The normal cells die off while the mutated cells live on. Cancer cells eventually break off and spread to other parts of the body.
A cancer specialist can inform the patient about the different risks of this type of cancer. The risk for sarcoma increases if the person inherited the cancer. Going through radiation therapy for cancer may also cause the development of sarcomas. Exposure to herpesvirus-8 may result in Kaposi’s sarcoma, especially if the person’s immunity is weak. Being surrounded by strong industrial chemicals can also increase one’s risk for this cancer.
This type of cancer affects the glands and organs. It is the most common type of cancer. Carcinoma starts in the epithelial tissue or the tissue lining the vital organs. The cancer specialist will explain that this cancer can spread to other parts of the body, though it may stay in one particular area.
This type of cancer targets the pigment cells in the skin. These are called melanocytes. Melanoma can spread to other organs quickly if it does not receive prompt treatment. It has many colors, shapes, and sizes, making it difficult for a cancer specialist to provide warning signs. The American Cancer Society states that treating melanoma early can result in greater survival chances. This cancer can become deadly and difficult to treat once it reaches the deeper layers of the skin.
This cancer targets the white cells of the lymphatic system, which protects the body from infections. This system includes the bone marrow and lymph nodes. That is why lymphoma can reach organs throughout the body.
A cancer specialist can help classify a patient’s lymphoma into either non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The treatment will depend on the severity or type of lymphoma. The available treatments for this cancer are radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant, immunotherapy, or chemotherapy. It might even be a combination of these.
Medical scientists have not yet determined the primary cause of lymphoma. This cancer typically starts when a lymphocyte mutates. The mutation tells the cell to divide and multiply quickly. This causes the infected cells to keep on multiplying. The abnormal increase in white cells causes the liver, lymph nodes, and spleen to swell.
The symptoms of lymphoma include fever and shortness of breath. There is also a painless swelling in the groin, neck, or armpits. The patient may also experience fatigue, itchy skin, and sudden weight loss. A person may be more at risk of developing this cancer due to various factors.
This cancer affects the tissues that form blood. These are in the lymphatic system and the bone marrow. Some types of leukemia are common in kids, while others occur in adults. Leukemia often involves white cells, which fight infections. A person with leukemia has bone marrow that produces too many abnormal white cells. This means the cells do not function properly.
Regular checkups can lead to the early detection of cancer. Once your primary physician gets the results of the necessary diagnostic tests, you may receive a referral to see a cancer specialist. This healthcare provider can perform more tests to support these test results. Working with this specialist can help the patient create a custom treatment plan. Early treatments may even eliminate the cancer entirely.
Get more information about Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center in Marlton at https://lindenbergcancer.com.
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