What is cancer easy definition?

(KAN-ser) A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer.

What is cancer in summary?

A cancer is an abnormal growth of cells (usually derived from a single abnormal cell). The cells have lost normal control mechanisms and thus are able to multiply continuously, invade nearby tissues, migrate to distant parts of the body, and promote the growth of new blood vessels from which the cells derive nutrients.

What is cancer According to who?

Overview. Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body and/or spread to other organs.

Are all cancers carcinomas?

Not all cancers are carcinoma. Other types of cancer that aren’t carcinomas invade the body in different ways. Those cancers begin in other types of tissue, such as: Bone.

Is cancer a living organism?

Cancerous tumors are parasitic organisms, he said. Each one is a new species that, like most parasites, depends on its host for food, but otherwise operates independently and often to the detriment of its host.

Is cancer a pandemic or epidemic?

A disease or condition is not a pandemic merely because it is widespread or kills many people; it must also be infectious. For instance, cancer is responsible for many deaths but is not considered a pandemic because the disease is not contagious (i.e. easily transmittable) and not even simply infectious.

What are the worst cancers?

Top 5 Deadliest Cancers

1. Lung Cancer. U.S. deaths in 2014: 159,260.
2. Colorectal Cancer. U.S. deaths in 2014: 50,310. How common is it?
3. Breast Cancer. U.S. deaths in 2014: 40,430. How common is it?
4. Pancreatic Cancer. U.S. deaths in 2014: 39,590. How common is it?
5. Prostate Cancer. U.S. deaths in 2014: 29,480. How common is it?

What do carcinomas look like?

At first, a basal cell carcinoma comes up like a small “pearly” bump that looks like a flesh-colored mole or a pimple that doesn’t go away. Sometimes these growths can look dark. Or you may also see shiny pink or red patches that are slightly scaly. Another symptom to watch out for is a waxy, hard skin growth.

Why are some cancers called carcinomas and others not?

Like other types of cancer, carcinomas are abnormal cells that divide without control. They are able to spread to other parts of the body, but don’t always. “Carcinoma in situ” stays in the cells where it started. Not all cancers are carcinoma.

Does everyone have cancer?

No, we don’t all have cancer cells in our bodies. Our bodies are constantly producing new cells, some of which have the potential to become cancerous. At any given moment, we may be producing cells that have damaged DNA, but that doesn’t mean they’re destined to become cancer.

Is cancer a disease or virus?

Cancer is a disease caused when cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. Cancer is caused by changes to DNA. Most cancer-causing DNA changes occur in sections of DNA called genes. These changes are also called genetic changes.