Cancer

Definition

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and spread of abnormal cells. It can invade surrounding tissues and metastasize to distant body parts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cancer therapy typically involves surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
2. Chemotherapy drugs target rapidly dividing cells but can also affect normal cells, leading to side effects.
3. Targeted therapies are designed to interfere with specific molecules involved in cancer growth and progression.
4. Phases of cancer therapy include induction (to reduce tumor burden), consolidation (to eliminate remaining cancer), and maintenance (to prevent recurrence).
5. Common side effects of cancer treatments include nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and increased risk of infection.

Review Questions

• What are the main goals of the different phases in cancer therapy?
• How do chemotherapy drugs differ from targeted therapies in their mechanism of action?
• What are some common side effects associated with cancer treatments?

Related terms

Chemotherapy: A type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy rapidly growing cells.

Metastasis:

The process by which cancer spreads from the original site to other parts of the body.

Immunotherapy:

A type of treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer.