Oncology is a special branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of cancer. The term oncology originates from the Greek word onkos meaning bulk or tumor.
Oncology mainly deals with the diagnosis of cancer, therapy which includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and others.
The most significant diagnostic tool used in the study of oncology is medical history. It includes specific symptoms experienced by the patient and nature of complaint. Other diagnostic tools are
Biopsy - a medical test which involves removal of cells or tissues from possible area of malignancy for microscopic examination
Endoscopy - This involves internal examination of the patient's body by inserting a small scope to view the lesion.
X-Ray, CT scan, Ultrasound - These are radiological techniques used to examine the patient.
Blood Tests - Pathological examination like blood tests is a common technique to diagnose cancer.
Scintigraphy, Positron emission tomography - These are methods of nuclear medicine used to diagnose cancer.
Treatment of cancer depends on specific cases and the nature and extent of malignancy of the tumor. The most common methods of treatment are
Surgery - If the case permits, surgery or removal of the malignant portion of the body is removed.
Chemotherapy - It is the use of chemical substances to treat the disease. Often cytotoxic drugs are used for chemotherapy.
Radiotherapy - Ionizing radiation is used as a medical technique to cure and control the growth of malignant cells.
Hormone Manipulation - is mainly used in cases of breast and prostrate cancer
Vaccine - It is an antigenic preparation used to establish immunity to the disease.
To treat social problems like neglect and alienation, patients suffering from cancer or cured from cancer need palliative care. Physical problems that are associated with the treatment of cancer are pain, nausea, anorexia, fatigue and immobility.
Oncology department has a special Tumour Board, comprising medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, and diagnostic consultants who provide comprehensive advice on the best course of treatment for patients. The department provides world-class cancer cure.
Cancer is a medical term used to refer any one of a large number of diseases, characterized by the development of abnormal cells. Diseased cells grow and divide uncontrollably. They have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. The disease also has the ability to spread throughout your body by the means of lymph systems and blood. Cancer cannot be specifically regarded as one disease rather it is made up of many diseases.
More than 100 types of cancers exist and are there that are named after the type of cell or organ from where they originate. The types of cancer can be categorized into different groups. Some of the major categories are:
Cancer is caused by changes (mutations) to the DNA within cells. The DNA inside a cell contains a set of instructions guiding the cell how to grow and divide. Any disruption in the instructions may allow a cell to become cancerous.
A gene mutation can instruct a healthy cell to:
These mutations are the most common ones found in cancer. But many other gene mutations can contribute to causing cancer.
Gene mutations can occur for several reasons, for instance:
The gene mutations you are born with and those that you acquire throughout your life, together cause cancer. If you have inherited a genetic mutation that predisposes you to cancer, that does not mean you are certain to get cancer. One or more, gene mutations combines to cause cancer. It is likely that this varies among cancer types. You are more likely to develop cancer when exposed to a certain cancer-causing substance.
General signs and symptoms associated with, but not specific to cancer include:
There are typically four stages of cancer –
A number of options are available for treating cancer. These treatments depend on location in the body, stage, type and extent of the cancer. The most common therapies include –
No alternative cancer treatments have been proved to cure cancer. But alternative medicine options helps with side effects of cancer and cancer treatment, such as fatigue, nausea and pain. Some alternative medicine options found to be helpful for people with cancer include:
Cancer recurrence is the return of the cancer after its treatment and even after a time period when the cancer cannot be detected is known as. The same cancer can come back again from where it has started to develop and it can also develop from a different part of the body. The reason of this recurrence is due to few cancer cells that have been left in the body, as the treatment was unable to get completely rid of them.
After the cancer treatment, it is essential to have a strict after care. It is required by the patient to drink clean alkaline water, minimize stress, eating of right food and regular check-ups with your doctor. The aftercare also involves the review of physical exam and medical history of a patient. This include periodic endoscopy, imaging procedures, and blood work. The care after the treatment is very important as it helps in determining the changes in health of a patient. Many ongoing problems are also addressed that has been caused by cancer or its treatment. Plus it also checks psychosocial and physical effects that may have developed after the completion of the treatment.
Cancer Treatment in India is one of the best in the world. The country offers treatment, technology and hospitality at par with developed countries anywhere in the world. Affordable treatments and the plethora of options of hospitals, trained doctors, medical staff and state-of-the-art technology has made India one of the best places to seek cancer treatment.