FAQs on Cancer / Oncology Treatment

Q-What is cancer?

Ans- Cancer is an abnormal growth of a body cell or group of cells. If it is not destroyed or removed, cancer can spread very rapidly, and eventually lead to death.

 Q-What is the difference between normal and cancerous growth?

Ans- There are billions of cells in the human body. Normally, they grow in a well-regulated pattern. When cancer sets in, a group of cells suddenly start multiplying haphazardly and form a lump or "tumour".

 Q- How many kinds of tumours are there?

Ans- There are two kinds of tumour - Malignant & Benign. A benign tumour is more common, and is generally harmless. It doesn't spread to other parts of body. A malignant tumour on the other hand, never stops growing unless until treated and can spread to other parts of the body. cancer is the name given to a malignant growth.

 Q- Is cancer contagious or infectious?

Ans- No. Since cancer is not caused by a germ, it is not "catching", and cannot be transmitted from one person to another.

 Q- Is cancer a blood disease?

Ans- No. cancer cells may move through the blood stream to another part of the body indicating spread of disease. Cancer can however develop in certain tissues, which form the blood cells.

 Q- How does cancer spread

Ans- In 3 ways.

1.       Cancer cells grow through the walls of blood vessels and are carried by the blood stream to other parts of the body.

2.       They enter the lymphatic stream and are carried to the lymph glands.

3.       They grow directly in contiguity from one tissue to another.

Q- How fast does cancer grow?

Ans- There is no definite rate of growth of cancer tissue. Some cancers grow fast and some are slow growing. For example it takes 2 to 5 years for breast cancer to develop to 1cm.

 Q- Is cancer a single disease?

Ans- No. The term "cancer" includes all forms of malignant growth. Very many varieties are known. These have certain characteristics in common, such as uncontrolled growth, a tendency to spread widely in the body and fatal termination if not treated early and adequately. They differ in certain characteristics, such as location in the body, microscopic appearance, and response to treatment.