Introduction
Cancer is a common problem and one of the key causes of death in the population. Risk factors associated with the development of cancer cells relate to radiation exposure, damage to the body by pathogens, as well as hereditary predisposition. Different types of neoplasms are named according to their location. It is noteworthy that cancer is typical not only for humans but also for animals.
Disease Background
The movement of cancer cells in the body is carried out through the blood and lymphatic systems. The danger of neoplasms lies in the fact that their development is unpredictable and difficult to control. If cancer cells affect organs and tissues, this process is called metastasis, and in this case, it is extremely difficult, and sometimes impossible, to fight cancer.
Incidents
Numerous risk factors can cause the development of cancer cells in the body. There are types of cancer that affect individual organs and systems. In addition, neoplasms are often classified according to gender and age, since the corresponding manifestations in different categories of the population are common.
Risk Factors and Causes of Cancer
Neoplasms form in the body for various reasons, and lifestyle is one of the criteria that explain the emergence of cancer cells. Human genetic predisposition is also a common cause of oncology. In some situations, risk factors are combined when a person has relatives with cancer in the family history and lives in an environment where exposure to radiation and pathogens stimulates the development of neoplasms. In this case, the risks increase significantly, which explains the need to follow cancer prevention rules.
Symptoms and Signs
The symptomatology of cancer depends on several factors – the place of occurrence, the stage of the disease, and other criteria. Often, cancer patients experience pain caused by metastases, may feel weak, unable to digest the food they eat, experience constant bleeding, and suffer from other unpleasant symptoms.
Types of cancer
Distinctive types of oncological neoplasms are characterized by the emergence of different body systems. Among the most common forms, it is customary to distinguish sarcoma, carcinoma, leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and some other types. Teams of oncologists are involved in the treatment of types of cancer.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing cancer is carried out through special screening tests designed to identify predisposition to the development of neoplasms and identify the current stages of the disease. X-ray examinations, CT and MRI scans, and other methods are used to identify cancer. The testing of blood samples is also often performed to check and control the growth of tumors.
Biopsy
One of the most common methods for detecting cancerous tumors in the body is a biopsy. This procedure implies removing a piece of tissue from the affected organ for appropriate laboratory tests to check the presence of neoplasms. This procedure is almost always performed in cancer patients because it is one of the most reliable and accurate practices for determining whether an organ is affected and how severe the illness is. In addition, with its help, oncologists can diagnose the stage of cancer and what treatment is optimal to prevent the development of the disease.
Cancer Staging
Cancer tumors that do not metastasize may be successfully treatable. There are several stages of the disease, which determine the degree of damage to organs and tissues. The specifics of determining the stage depend on several criteria – the size of the tumor, its location, the volume of metastases, and some other characteristics. The degree of damage to the lymphatic system is an important factor in determining whether the disease is actively progressive or not. In the advanced stages, effective cancer treatment is unlikely, while in the early stages, oncologists may use different practices to help patients.
Methods of Staging
While speaking about the specific principles of staging, one should consider two possible steps. Per the aforementioned diagnostic criteria, the TNM practice is utilized. This methodology involves determining the size of the tumor (T), the degree of involvement of the lymph nodes as a result of the spread of the disease (N), and the presence and severity of metastases in the body (M). The second step is the designation of the stage by the corresponding Roman numerals to classify cancer following its severity – from I to IV.
Treatment and Prognosis
To successfully fight cancer, this is important to consider the stage of the disease and the type of neoplasm. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are effective methods, and in some cases, these practices are combined. In the later stages, the only possible intervention is palliative care. Any predictions regarding recovery can only be made if the disease does not progress and the chance of remission remains. Otherwise, the risk of error remains as the tumor may continue to grow.
Prevention
Cancer prevention is an essential aspect of life, especially in densely populated regions with poor air quality. Harmful micro-particles can provoke cellular changes in the body, thereby causing tumors. Therefore, polluted air is a risk factor that stimulates neoplasms. Moreover, passive smoking is also a dangerous condition, and avoiding tobacco smoke is an important preventive condition. Another risk factor is smoking, and this bad habit should be avoided. Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause pathological changes in the skin. Some viruses can also cause cancer, and timely treatment is a critical prerequisite for maintaining good health.
Rna-based Detection of Gene Fusions in Formalin-fixed and Paraffin-embedded Solid Technique
The practice under consideration is a convenient and effective tool for detecting cancerous tumors at different stages. By storing specimens in formalin, clinicians can store the collected materials for a long time and study them. The genetic principle of screening makes it possible to detect even the slightest prerequisites for the development of neoplasms.
Clinical Implications
The application of the RNA-based detection technique is characterized by numerous valuable implications regarding both diagnostic and therapeutic principles. Different types of cancer can be identified by this technique, including individual predispositions. In addition, different types of neoplasms can be detected, which expands the range of the technology application. Traditional and outdated practices cannot help achieve the same screening result as the RNA-based method. In the course of work, the interaction between members of the clinical team is an important condition.
Specific Requirements
In the process of applying the RNA-based detection technology, special principles of operation should be taken into account. This is crucial to pay particular attention to the collection and storage of samples because these procedures directly affect the results of the screening. At all stages, including initial and final analysis, comparing intermediate outcomes is mandatory to identify potential discrepancies and avoid them. In different types of cancer, gene fusions are distinctive and require appropriate control.
Conclusion
The analysis of cancer as one of the most common causes of death shows that there are many types of this disease. Diagnosis and treatment options depend on the specific stage, which is critical to identify timely. There are many risk factors, and both treatment and preventive practices should be followed. One of the innovative screening technologies is RNA-based gene detection. With its help, different types of cancer can be timely identified by following the appropriate principles of sample collection, storage, and analysis.
References
American Cancer Society. (2017). Cancer facts & figures 2017.
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