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The Secret of Cancer: What is Malignancy and Why is It So Dangerous?
Tumors may occur during the abnormal proliferation of cells, which is the core issue of cancer.
Cancer is a dangerous word that is feared by patients and medical professionals alike. A malignant tumor, or simply cancer, is an abnormal growth that usually invades and damages other tissues in the body. These tumors are dangerous because they not only grow, but also have the potential to spread to other sites, forming metastases, which can complicate treatment.
According to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), tumors can be divided into benign tumors, tumors in situ, malignant tumors and uncertain tumors. Among them, malignant tumors are what we often call cancer. These aren't just lumps that grow gradually over time; they grow rapidly, break through the boundaries of normal cells, and may even release cells into the bloodstream, forming metastases.
Differences between tumors and cancer
Some people often confuse tumors with cancer, but they are not exactly the same. A tumor is a visible mass, while cancer is the proper name for a malignant tumor. Tumors can be benign, potentially malignant, or malignant; each type of tumor has different growth patterns and effects on the body.
Malignant tumors have a devastating effect on surrounding tissue and should not be ignored.
What causes cancer?
Cancer is usually caused by gene mutations within cells. These mutations may be caused by environmental factors, lifestyle habits, etc., such as frequent exposure to harmful substances or poor eating habits. Over time, these changes accumulate in certain cells and, in severe cases, can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and the formation of tumors. In addition, internal genetic abnormalities can also accelerate this process.
Characteristics of malignant tumors
Cells in malignant tumors often display a high degree of instability, which causes them to constantly change at the genetic level. Such changes make tumors inconsistent in their response to therapy, especially after chemotherapy or radiation therapy, where tumor cells may mutate in ways that further enhance their ability to survive.
Genetic instability allows cancer to resist treatment, which is the main reason why it is difficult to cure.
How cancer progresses
Cancer cells need to go through a process called "field effect" from their initial malignant transformation to the formation of metastasis. In this process, the invading cells are not limited to the tumor source, but also grow in the "field" described in the literature. This means that cancer cell-like changes can also occur in normal tissue in the tumor area, potentially triggering the formation of new tumors.
Current Treatment Challenges
The challenge in treating malignant tumors is that due to the heterogeneity and genetic instability of cancer cells, conventional therapies may not always be able to eliminate all tumor cells. The success rate of many treatment options is also affected by the type and stage of cancer. Therefore, personalized medicine and early screening have become key strategies for combating cancer.
Future Trends
Currently, researchers are exploring many new treatment strategies, such as immunotherapy and gene therapy, which have shown good prospects. These innovative technologies may become effective weapons in the fight against cancer in the future. However, this also makes us reflect on how important it is to continue scientific research and public health education, and whether we can ultimately defeat cancer requires our joint efforts.
When facing cancer, we not only need to understand its pathological mechanism and medical treatment, but more importantly, we need to continue to pay attention to the health of ourselves and others. So, are you optimistic about the future of cancer treatment?
