Cancer | |
---|---|
Other names | Malignant tumor, malignant neoplasm |
A coronal CT scan showing a malignant mesothelioma Legend: → tumor ←, ✱ central pleural effusion, 1 & 3 lungs, 2 spine, 4 ribs, 5 aorta, 6 spleen, 7 & 8 kidneys, 9 liver | |
Pronunciation | |
Specialty | Oncology |
Symptoms | Lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, change in bowel movements[1] |
Risk factors | Exposure to carcinogens, tobacco, obesity, poor diet, lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol, certain infections[2][3] |
Treatment | Radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy[2][4] |
Prognosis | Average five-year survival 66% (USA)[5] |
Frequency | 24 million annually (2019)[6] |
Deaths | 10 million annually (2019)[6] |
Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body.[2][7] These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread.[7] Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a change in bowel movements.[1] While these symptoms may indicate cancer, they can also have other causes.[1] Over 100 types of cancers affect humans.[7]
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