Question

What is the narrative and schematic pathophysiology of cancer

Answer 1

ANSWER: Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread.

• Anything that may cause a normal body cell to develop abnormally potentially can cause cancer; general categories of cancer-related or causative agents are as follows: chemical or toxic compound exposures, ionizing radiation, some pathogens, and human genetics.

CAUSES:

• Chemical or toxic compound exposures: Benzene, asbestos, nickel, cadmium, vinyl chloride, benzidine, N-nitrosamines, tobacco or cigarette smoke,asbestos, and aflatoxin
• Ionizing radiation: Uranium, radon, ultraviolet rays from sunlight, radiation from alpha, beta, gamma, and X-ray-emitting sources
• Pathogens: Human papillomavirus (HPV), EBV or Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis viruses B and C, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV)
• Genetics: A number of specific cancers have been linked to human genes and are as follows: breast, ovarian, colorectal, prostate, skin and melanoma;
• sunlight, secondary cigarette smoke, and X-rays
• red meat (such as beef, lamb, and pork) was classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a high-risk agent for potentially causing cancers;
• obesity, lack of exercise, chronic inflammation, and hormones, especially those hormones used for replacement therapy

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY:

• In normal cells, genes regulate growth, maturity and death of the cells. Genetic changes can occur at many levels.
• There could be a gain or loss of entire chromosomes or a single point mutation affecting a single DNA nucleotide.
• Due to the above-mentioned causative factors such as smoking, certain food habits, environmental factors, genetic, etc there will be damage to the DNA of cells and mutation in the genome. This leads to;

1. activation of growth-promoting oncogenes.
2. Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes.
3. Alteration in gene-regulating apoptosis.

• All this leads to decreased apoptosis and uncontrolled growth of cell proliferation.
• Cell proliferation promotes colonial expansion which makes tumor in body, lump, movable or non movabale mass.
• This can be lead to either tumor or malignant neoplasm.