Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrollable growth and division of abnormal cells in the body. Normally, cells in the body grow, divide, and die in a controlled manner to replace old or damaged cells. However, in cancer, this normal process is disrupted, and the abnormal cells continue to divide and form tumors or invade surrounding tissues.
These abnormal cells can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, a process known as metastasis. Cancer can affect any part of the body and is classified based on the type of cell or tissue in which it originates. Some common types of cancer include breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer.
Causes of cancer are often multifactorial, and they may include genetic mutations, exposure to carcinogens (cancer-causing substances), lifestyle factors (such as smoking, poor diet, and lack of physical activity), and certain infections.
Cancer can be a serious and life-threatening condition if not detected and treated early. Treatment options for cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, among others. Early detection through regular screenings and adopting a healthy lifestyle can play a significant role in preventing or successfully treating cancer.
When both the nurse and doctor cried while delivering the news, Chris Gosline knew that he was in for a difficult time.
After a lengthy night in the emergency department of Beverly Hospital, where he had sought assistance for severe shoulder pain, it was 5 a.m. A scan revealed that he had liver lesions. Evidently, a nerve connection renders shoulder pain a possible indicator of liver disease.
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In the following weeks, additional testing clarified the cause: The colorectal cancer of stage 4 that had migrated to Gosline’s liver.
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