Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these cells to invade other tissues, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis. Metastasis is defined as the stage in which cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Cancer may affect people at all ages, but risk tends to increase with age. It is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries.

There are many types of cancer. Severity of symptoms depends on the site and character of the malignancy and whether there is metastasis. A definitive diagnosis usually requires the histologic examination of tissue by a pathologist. This tissue is obtained by biopsy or surgery. Most cancers can be treated and some cured, depending on the specific type, location, and stage. Once diagnosed, cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As research develops, treatments are becoming more specific for the type of cancer pathology. Drugs that target specific cancers already exist for several cancers. If untreated, cancers may eventually cause illness and death, though this is not always the case.

The unregulated growth that characterizes cancer is caused by damage to DNA, resulting in mutations to genes that encode for proteins controlling cell division. Many mutation events may be required to transform a normal cell into a malignant cell. These mutations can be caused by chemicals or physical agents called carcinogens, by close exposure to radioactive materials, or by certain viruses that can insert their DNA into the human genome. Mutations occur spontaneously, or are passed down generations as a result of germ line mutations.

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I'm growing a Mo to help the fight against prostate cancer & men's depression. To donate & join the fight: http://bit.ly/O5GfE #movember
dww84 (Dave Withnall) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:28:23 -0000
I'm growing a Mo to help the fight against prostate cancer & men's depression. To donate & join the fight: http://bit.ly/O5GfE #movember
Waging a Battle With Breast Cancer Treatment http://bit.ly/3aRXVq
irene9229 (Irene Ong) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:27:05 -0000
Waging a Battle With Breast Cancer Treatment http://bit.ly/3aRXVq
Does prostate-specific antigen velocity help in early detection prostate cancer? http://brightsurf.com/t/50172/ #science #news
brightsurf (Brightsurf.com) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:26:35 -0000
Does prostate-specific antigen velocity help in early detection prostate cancer? http://brightsurf.com/t/50172/ #science #news
@DanniiMinogue hi Dannii i saw ur peirs interview and was so moved my closest friend has cancer right now & i am struggling :( much love x x
dannii_no1 (Emma) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:26:02 -0000
@DanniiMinogue hi Dannii i saw ur peirs interview and was so moved my closest friend has cancer right now & i am struggling :( much love x x
Proposed Miami Twp. proton center offers new kind of cancer treatment http://bit.ly/3Vs4jw
Sdotslim (Maurice T Judkins ) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:25:55 -0000
Proposed Miami Twp. proton center offers new kind of cancer treatment http://bit.ly/3Vs4jw
Fox Chase Cancer Center Adds Sarah H. Kim to Surgical Oncology Team http://tinyurl.com/yces2de
TheGivingForest (The Giving Forest) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:25:50 -0000
Fox Chase Cancer Center Adds Sarah H. Kim to Surgical Oncology Team http://tinyurl.com/yces2de

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