SCIENCE ITCH (cancer edition): February 2014

Monday, February 24, 2014

Types of Cancer

Lung cancer:

It forms in tissues of the lung, mostly in the cells lining the air passages.

There are two main types: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.

They are diagnosed based on how the cells look under a microscope.

Estimated new cases and deaths in the United States in 2013:

· New cases: 228,190

· Deaths: 159,480

Leukemia:

It starts in blood-forming tissue (example: the bone marrow)

It causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream.

Estimated new cases and deaths in the United States in 2013:

· New cases: 48,610

· Deaths: 23,720

Breast cancer:

It forms in tissues of the breast.

One of the most famous types of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, It begins in the lining of the milk ducts.

Another type is lobular carcinoma, which begins in the lobules (milk glands) of the breast. Invasive breast cancer Breast cancer occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

Estimated new cases and deaths in the United States in 2013:

· New cases: 232,340 (female); 2,240 (male)

· Deaths: 39,620 (female); 410 (male)

Colon cancer:

It forms in the tissues of the colon.

Most colon cancers begin in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids.

Definition of rectal cancer: Cancer that forms in the tissues of the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus).

Estimated new cases and deaths in the United States in 2013:

· New cases: 102,480 (colon); 40,340 (rectal)

· Deaths: 50,830 (colon and rectal combined)

Kidney cancer:

It forms in tissues of the kidneys.

Kidney cancer includes renal cell carcinoma which is a cancer that forms in the lining of very small tubes in the kidney that filter the blood and remove waste products and renal pelvis carcinoma which is a cancer that forms in the center of the kidney where urine collects).

It also includes Wilms tumo, which usually develops in children under the age of 5.

Estimated new cases and death in the United States in 2013:

· New cases: 65,150

· Deaths: 13,680

By: Sara El-Daour

Sunday, February 2, 2014

What Is Cancer?

Well it's a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body.

Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems.

Cancer is divided into types:

· Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Carcinoma subtypes include adenocarcinoma, basal cell carcinoma,squamous cell carcinoma, and transitional cell carcinoma.

· Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue.

· Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood.

· Lymphoma and myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. These are very fatal and considered the worst kinds

· Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.