Malignant tumours

Cancer, by definition, is a disease of the genes. A gene is a small part of DNA, which is the master molecule of the cell. Genes make " proteins, " which are the ultimate workhorses of the cells. It is these proteins that allow our bodies to carry out all the many processes that permit us to breathe, think, move, etc.

Throughout people's lives, the cells in their bodies are growing, dividing, and replacing themselves. Many genes produce proteins that are involved in controlling the processes of cell growth and division. An alteration (mutation) to the DNA molecule can disrupt the genes and produce faulty proteins. This causes the cell to become abnormal and lose its restraints on growth. The abnormal cell begins to divide uncontrollably and eventually forms a new growth known as a " tumor" or neoplasm (medical term for cancer meaning " new growth").

In a healthy individual, the immune system can recognize the neoplastic cells and destroy them before they get a chance to divide. However, some mutant cells may escape immune detection and survive to become tumors or cancers.

Cancer, known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a broad group of various diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.

There are over 200 different known cancers that afflict human the most of them may be classified into five broad groups:

Carcinomas are characterized by cells that cover internal and external parts of the body such as lung, breast, and colon cancer.

Sarcomas are characterized by cells that are located in bone, cartilage, fat, connective tissue, muscle, and other supportive tissues.

Lymphomas are cancers that begin in the lymph nodes and immune system tissues.

Leukemias are cancers that begin in the bone marrow and often accumulate in the bloodstream.

Adenomas are cancers that arise in the thyroid, the pituitary gland, the adrenal gland, and other glandular tissues.

Pay attention to the following seven symptoms as possible warning signals of cancer: changes in the size, color, or shape of a wart or a mole; a sore that does not heal; persistent cough, hoarseness, or sore throat; a lump or thickening in the breast or elsewhere; unusual bleeding or discharge; chronic indigestion or difficulty in swallowing; any change in bowel or bladder habits.

Many other diseases, besides cancer, could produce the same symptoms.However, it is important to have these symptoms checked, as soon as possible, especially if they linger. The earlier a cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of it being cured.

Determining what causes cancer is complex. Many things are known to increase the risk of cancer, including tobacco use, certain infections, radiation, lack of physical activity, obesity, and environmental pollutants. These can directly damage genes or combine with existing genetic faults within cells to cause the disease. Approximately five to ten percent of cancers are entirely hereditary.

Cancer can be detected in a number of ways, including the presence of certain signs and symptoms, screening tests, or medical imaging. Once a possible cancer is detected it is diagnosed by microscopic examination of a tissue sample. Cancer is usually treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

Most people don't realize that cancer is preventable in many cases. Learning what causes cancer and what the risk factors are is the first step in cancer prevention. Many cancer risk factors can be avoided, thus reducing the likelihood of developing cancer.

Cancers that are closely linked to certain behaviors are the easiest to prevent. For example, choosing not to smoke tobacco or drink alcohol significantly lower the risk of several types of cancer - most notably lung, throat, mouth, and liver cancer. Even if you are a current tobacco user, quitting can still greatly reduce your chances of getting cancer.

The aim of cancer treatment is to remove all or as much of the tumor as possible and to prevent the recurrence or spread of the primary tumor.

The decision on which type of treatment is the most appropriate depends on the type and location of cancer, the extent to which it has already spread, the patient's age, sex, general health status and personal treatment preferences. The major types of treatment are: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and bone-marrow transplantation.

Some cancer prevention is based on systematic screening in order to detect small irregularities or tumors as early as possible even if there are no clear symptoms present. Breast self-examination, mammograms, testicular self-examination, and Pap smears are common screening methods for various cancers.

Exercise 8. Answer the questions:

1. What disease is medically known as a malignant neoplasm?

2. How may the cancer usually spread to more distant parts of the body?

3. What tumors are considered to be non-cancerous?

4. What groups are the known cancers that afflict a human classified into?

5. What is known to increase the risk of cancer?

6. What faults within cells to cause the disease?

7. In what ways can cancer be detected?

8. What is cancer usually treated with?

9. What is considered to be the first step in cancer prevention?

10. What are the most common screening methods for various cancers?

Exercise 9. Choose the proper continuation on the right:

Exercise 10. Memorize the meaning of the following term-elements:

*Cancers are often referred to by terms that contain a prefix related to the cell type in which the cancer originated and a suffix such as -sarcoma, -carcinoma, or just -oma. Common prefixes include:

· Adeno- = gland

· Chondro- = cartilage

· Erythro- = red blood cell

· Hemangio- = blood vessels

· Hepato- = liver

· Lipo- = fat

· Lympho- = white blood cell

· Melano- = pigment cell

· Myelo- = bone marrow

· Myo- = muscle

· Osteo- = bone

· Uro- = bladder

· Retino- = eye

· Neuro- = brain

Exercise 11. Complete the following sentences choosing suitable words from the box. Translate into Ukrainian: