How to determine the initial stage of skin cancer? Cancer tumor. Photo of malignant tumors
A malignant neoplasm affecting inner shells cheeks, larynx, tongue - cancer of the oral mucosa. The tumor is diagnosed, as a rule, at an early stage of its formation, since people can visually note the appearance of a cancer focus. Therefore, the prognosis in most cases with a tumor of this localization is favorable. The main condition for a positive outcome in case of oral cancer is an immediate appeal to a specialist with the slightest deviations in the oral cavity.
Forms of cancer of the oral mucosa
According to the structure of the tumor, its localization, as well as clinical manifestations, experts classify the focus of cancer in the mouth into the following categories:
- Nodular - the tumor has clear boundaries. Compaction practically does not affect the mucosa itself - the surface remains naturally pink, or becomes whitish. Cancer progresses rapidly, grows into surrounding tissues.
- Ulcerative form - most often diagnosed in humans. The tumor resembles a long-term non-healing ulcer. Cancer may not bother a person for a long time, but gradually progressing and increasing in size, the tumor affects muscle fibers in addition to the mucous tissue. Therefore, intense pain appears.
- Papillary - visually resembles a mushroom-shaped outgrowth or elongated hair hanging down into the lumen of the oral cavity. The surface of the mucosa does not change, remains smooth and pink. The tumor may not cause concern to patients, but has a tendency to injury.
By localization, the tumor in the oral structures can be of several types:
- located along the line of the mouth - swelling of the cheeks;
- with damage to the muscle fibers of the bottom and the transition to the lower surface of the tongue, sprouting into salivary glands- bottom cancer;
- tumor in one or another part of the tongue - on the side, on bottom surface, at the root, tip;
- cancer in the area of the alveolar dental processes;
- with damage to the tissues of the palate - soft or hard, in structure it can be a carcinoma, or a cylindric, squamous cell carcinoma.
Even in the absence of discomfort due to the formed focus of cancer on the structures of the mouth, it is recommended to consult a dentist. Specialists are always wary of all changes in the oral mucosa. At early diagnosis tumors can be completely defeated.
Causes and predisposing factors
Despite the existing misconception that cancer affects only the elderly, the tumor can form at any age, even in children. Therefore, it is necessary to treat your health carefully, minimizing the factors predisposing to cancer.
At risk, of course, may be people who abuse tobacco products. After all, tar and combustion products in cigarette smoke have a traumatic effect on the mucous membrane. Against this background, the cells do not have time to fully renew themselves, they may fail - the tumor develops literally from one atypical unit.
A similar phenomenon indicates the tendency of a person to relax with the help of alcoholic beverages. These two factors often complement each other. The likelihood of a tumor in the mouth is much higher if a person smokes, and also often drinks hard liquor.
Another reason experts point to flaws in dental services. Sharp edges of fillings, improperly selected prostheses - with prolonged trauma to the mucosa, they also act as a risk factor for the onset of a tumor.
Human infection with the herpes virus, especially its sixteenth species, is the cause of cancer in up to 5-10% of cases. Especially against the background of a significant weakening of immune barriers, for example, due to severe somatic pathologies or uncontrolled medication.
Symptoms of early oral cancer
A feature of the initial stage of cancer of the oral mucosa is the almost complete absence of discomfort. Painless defects appear - nodules, cracks, small sores, which in no way affect eating, talking.
On examination, the dentist can visually note areas of thickening of the mucous membrane - the tumor appears to be a papillary growth or an ulcer with dense edges. They do not bleed when touched, but may be moderately painful. The lymph node closest to the focus of cancer remains in its size, but sometimes slightly increases.
A person does not feel any other negative symptoms with a tumor in the mouth. His state of health remains at the same level, his performance does not decrease. Appetite is maintained, weight is not reduced. Eating or talking with early-stage mouth cancer is not hindered by anything. A slight malaise during physical exertion can be alarming, weakness increases in the evening, body temperature may rise slightly.
Symptoms of advanced cancer
As the tumor grows and the cancer progresses, symptoms and clinical manifestations become more numerous:
- unpleasant sensations disturb a person constantly - when eating, talking, hygiene procedures;
- pain impulses can be felt not only in the oral cavity itself, but also radiate to the ear, temple, jaw;
- there is a fetid, putrid smell from the mouth, which makes most patients seek medical help;
- hypersalivation - excessive production of saliva;
- appetite decreases - there may be an aversion to certain dishes, for example, meat;
- hyperthermia - a slight but persistent increase in body temperature;
- other symptoms of intoxication in cancer - excessive weakness, fatigue, decreased performance, headaches, sleep disturbance.
Cancer of the oral mucosa tends to progress rapidly, so the deterioration of well-being occurs at a rapid pace. It is not recommended to delay consultation with oncologists - at a later stage, therapeutic measures are no longer so effective. It is becoming more and more difficult to defeat the tumor.
Symptoms of advanced cancer
For cancer in the oral mucosa at a late stage of the course of the tumor, metastases will be characteristic - and not only in the nearest structures, for example, the thickness of the cheeks, teeth, lymph nodes, but also in distant parts of the body. Therefore, symptoms of tumor lesions of other organs join the main clinical manifestations of oral cavity cancer.
So, when lung cancer cells are damaged and the formation of secondary tumors, a person will be disturbed by a paroxysmal dry cough, an increase in shortness of breath. The ongoing therapeutic measures will not have the expected positive impact. On the conducted x-rays rounded blackouts - foci of cancer will be determined.
If a tumor affects the brain and skull structures, a cancer patient will be disturbed by intense headaches, blurred vision, persistent dizziness, hearing impairment, and memory. Symptoms will be determined by the location of the secondary tumor and its size.
Manifestations of cancer intoxication at an advanced stage of the course of the tumor:
- a sharp decrease in appetite - up to a complete absence;
- rapid weight loss - even cachexia;
- the impossibility of self-service - the need for constant outside help in everyday life;
- fluctuations in body temperature - up to high numbers;
- sleep disturbance - the inability to fully relax due to constant pain.
At the terminal stage of cancer in the structures of the mouth, the prognosis is extremely unfavorable. The five-year survival rate for oral tumors does not exceed 3-5%.
Cancer diagnosis
Since the oral mucosa is examined daily by a person during hygiene procedures, the slightest changes on it are visible to the naked eye. This speeds up the diagnosis - a specialist can also note areas of tissue thickening, cracks, and sores during examination.
To confirm or refute the diagnosis, modern methods of examination will be recommended:
- collection of mucosal cells from a suspicious area for examination under a microscope - a biopsy;
- Ultrasound - examination of the nearest internal organs, tissues for the presence of secondary tumors, foci of cancer in them;
- radiography - examination of the bone structures of the skull, lungs;
- if necessary, CT, MRI is performed;
- laboratory tests - for clarification general condition human health.
Only after receiving all the information from the above diagnostic procedures, the specialist will be able to make a full diagnosis - whether a person has really developed a cancer focus in the oral cavity.
Treatment tactics
At early detection tumors on the oral mucosa, experts suggest a tactic for radical removal of the cancer focus - surgery. The entire tumor is excised, as well as adjacent tissues - to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. Subsequently, courses of radiation therapy are carried out - the effects of ionizing radiation on the primary focus of the tumor.
If the diagnosis was made already at the advanced stage of the disease, or even at the terminal stage of the tumor, the treatment tactics will be different. The primary focus is subjected to radiation therapy - in order to reduce the size of the tumor. Then the possibility of surgical intervention is considered. However, when many neighboring organs are involved in cancer, surgical method partially applied - only that part of the tumor that prevents a person from eating and talking is removed. It is not possible to completely eliminate all secondary foci of cancer.
The predominant method of suppressing cancer activity in advanced cases is chemotherapy - the introduction of specially designed medicines into the patient's body. Their task is to suppress the growth and reproduction of cancer cells. As in the primary tumor itself, and in distant systems.
The success of the fight against cancer in the oral cavity lies in integrated approach to therapy. The main thing is to contact an oncologist in a timely manner. Modern methods treatments suggest that cancer is completely victorious.
White skin, genetic predisposition, scars, ulcers, warts, a large accumulation of moles in a certain area of the dermis are the main risk factors for the development of such a dangerous disease as skin cancer.
Scientists have found that the causative agents of herpes and cancer interact with each other, "helping" each other to gain a foothold in the human body.
The scientists were able to find that both infections interact with HSATII RNA cells. It would seem that these two different diseases turns out to be comparable.
This is very serious illness, difficult to treat and often fatal. Therefore, it is important for every person to know what skin cancer looks like, because it can develop in anyone, regardless of gender and age. A malignant formation usually develops from the cellular composition of the skin.
It has three varieties depending on the forms of leakage:
- squamous cell skin cancer, or squamous cell carcinoma;
- basalioma, or basal cell carcinoma;
- melanoma.
It occurs in exophytic (papillary) and endophytic (ulcer-infiltrative) form.
- Exophytic cancer . It is distinguished by the appearance on the surface of the skin of a massive dense nodule in the form of a warty growth. It quickly increases in size, has a rough surface. Usually, skin lesions are covered with a hard crust, which is easily injured and bleeds. Over time, malignant cells grow deep into the epithelial layer.
- Endophytic cancer . In this form, tumor necrosis rapidly sets in - tissue death at the site of the main localization. Characterized by the formation of an ulcer, similar to a crater with torn and wavy edges raised above the surface of the skin. Often there are wounds covered with a dirty film, after removal of which a bleeding bottom appears.
In the future, infiltration (penetration) of atypical cells into others on the tissue occurs. These two species metastasize to regional lymph nodes.
The mechanism of the development of the disease
A malignant neoplasm originates from one or more pinkish spots that begin to peel off over time. This initial stage can last from one to two weeks to several years. The main localization is the front part, dorsal shoulder and chest. It is here that the skin is most delicate and susceptible to physiological changes in the body. Skin cancer can form in the form of age spots that grow in size, become convex, darken sharply to a dark brown color. It often occurs under the condition of the degeneration of moles into malignant neoplasms. The tumor may also look like a simple wart.
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The reasons
Many have seen how malignant formations develop on the skin in the photo. But not everyone knows the causative factors of the disease. The main signs of skin cancer can be conditionally divided into three groups. Let's consider them.
- exogenous – external sources. These include:
- ultraviolet radiation and solar radiation (insolation);
- hazardous exposure to chemical carcinogens;
- the impact on the body of x-rays and other sources of ionizing radiation;
- prolonged high thermal effect on certain areas of the skin;
- prolonged use of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti- and immunosuppressants.
- Endogenous - internal factors. These include:
- hereditary predisposition to degeneration and gene mutation of cells;
- decline protective function body, malfunctions of the immune and hormonal systems;
- rebirth birthmarks and nevi (moles);
- genetic predisposition;
- chronic skin diseases;
- age factor.
- Obligate precancerous conditions. These are congenital or acquired changes in the cellular composition of the body that contribute to the occurrence of skin cancer. These include:
- Bowen's disease. Occurs on any part of the skin in the form of brown-red plaques with uneven borders. They are covered with a light crust or scales. There are warty and eczematous types.
- Pigmented xeroderma - congenital chronic dystrophy of the skin, expressed in hypersensitivity to ultraviolet rays. Often found in close relatives. Characterized by the appearance of age spots, the development of dermatitis, atrophy and complete thinning of the skin. Less common is hyperkeratosis - thickening of the skin. Accompanied by the expansion of small blood vessels.
- - Abnormal changes in the peripapillary zone of the breast. A fifth of the disease occurs on the buttocks, vulva, thighs, neck, and face. It is expressed in erosive lesions of the skin, accompanied by burning and itching.
- Senile keratoma - multiple warty rashes on the face, neck, hands. The disease is common in older people.
- Leather horn. It occurs most often in people over 60 years of age. It has the shape of a pinkish ledge with a dark brown top. it chronic illness can last for years. It is characterized by intense keratinization.
Be carefull! The above signs of skin cancer can become prerequisites for the onset of a severe disease. If a person is at risk, for the purpose of prevention, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination so that the initial stage of the disease does not become a rapidly progressive one. If a person has a precancerous condition - obligate - immediate, adequate therapy is required.
Symptoms
The initial stage of pathological processes on the surface of the skin, as in many other diseases, does not bring discomfort to patients. The very first symptoms are a change in the color and structure of individual areas of the skin. But they still do not bother, there is no pain syndrome, so many do not consider this a significant reason for going to the hospital.
Early symptoms and their manifestations largely depend on the type and form of oncology. For example, squamous cell skin cancer has a rapid and rapidly progressive course, actively spreading metastases. While basal neoplasms may not manifest themselves for years. Melanoma arises in most cases from moles and is successfully cured in the early stages. But there are symptoms that appear regardless of the variety of reproduction of cancer cells on the skin.
Let's consider the main ones:
- the formation of a new spot or mole on the body, which changes over time;
- the appearance of dry areas of irritated skin, on which superficial scales form, which exfoliate and fall off;
- the occurrence of ulcers and for a long time non-healing wounds, progressing in size and bleeding;
- the formation of hardening in the form of bumps and nodules of red, pink, purple, white and other shades in different parts of the skin;
- the appearance of white spots with a keratinized surface structure;
- changes in previously existing nevi and birthmarks towards an increase in volume, the appearance of inflammation and bleeding, a change in color.
At the same time, the so-called general symptoms of cancer lesions are also noted:
- feeling of weakness, constant overwork, fatigue even with a slight load on the body;
- unexplained weight loss poor appetite and insomnia;
- a prolonged increase in a slight temperature;
- pain syndrome that appears at later stages of oncology development.
Be carefull! All these symptoms should necessarily lead the patient to a consultation with a dermatologist or oncologist. Only a specialist in a typical scenario of the development of a malignant process, observing it in dynamics, can make a correct diagnosis. Do not engage in self-diagnosis, and even more so self-treatment!
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Types of skin cancer
Although all types of skin cancers have similar symptoms, they differ in nature, diagnosis, and treatment protocols. According to the frequency of the disease, basalioma is the most common, a little less often - squamous cell skin cancer and melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma: 
A distinctive feature of this species is the inability to spread (dissemination) from the primary focus to other areas through the blood and lymph. It can appear on various parts of the body, but more often on the face. The mechanism of formation is the malignant degeneration of the basal cells, which are located in the lower part of the epidermis layer. It is characterized by slow development, which can last up to fifteen years.
The main symptoms are microscopic red, yellow and gray nodules and spots that grow over time, flake and bleed, cause burning and itching. This leads to non-healing sores on the body. In principle, it does not give metastases, although cases of penetration into neighboring tissues are known. Penetrating deep into the skin, it leads to extensive internal tissue damage.
When penetrating into the nerve cells, a pain syndrome appears. In neglected forms, it destroys cartilaginous tissue, bones, the connective membrane of organs - fascia. Basal carcinoma is treated with radiation therapy and cryosurgical methods. Operations are required in especially neglected forms.
Squamous cell carcinoma: 
Considered one of the most dangerous types of cancer skin. It is characterized by rapid development and the ability to throw metastases into the lymph nodes, bone tissues and internal organs person. Primary squamous cell skin cancer spreads not only over the surface, but also grows deep into the subcutaneous layers. The main localization - parts of the body that are amenable to constant ultraviolet exposure. Tumors originate in top layer skin.
Malignant cells are characterized by hyperchromatosis - increased pigmentation as a result of metabolic disorders and hyperplasia - a rapid and uncontrolled increase in the number of neoplasms. The main symptoms are the appearance of itching in the area of plaques, nodes, ulcers, fast-growing and bleeding. Crater-shaped ulcers with torn edges. They have an unpleasant smell. The nodes have a large bumpy surface, similar to a mushroom.
It can be expressed in an endophytic form - a nodular growth is located directly in the skin and develops into a deeply penetrating ulcer. The exophytic form suggests the presence of a wart, papilloma, hard layered formation. Often, cell mutation occurs against the background of diseases that degenerate into cancer (they were discussed earlier). Metastases significantly worsen the prognosis of the course of the disease. Squamous cell carcinoma is treated with gentle methods and, if detected in the early stages, is completely cured.
Malignant melanoma: 
Abnormal cells of this type cancer are formed from melanocytes - cells that produce skin pigment. It is considered the most aggressive form of oncology due to the rapid spread of metastases. The main factor of occurrence is an excess of sunlight, which activates a high degree of melanin formation and contributes to the degeneration of cells into malignant neoplasms.
Initially appears on open areas of the body, has different forms, sizes. It is characterized by the presence of redness, itching, bleeding, swelling around the localization zone, seals, and ulceration in the center of the focus. It spreads over the surface of the epidermis, and grows deep into the skin. Often originates from a nevus - a mole, less often - freckles, age spots. Amenable to asymmetric changes and inflammatory processes. The prognosis is favorable in case of timely seeking medical help.
Do not forget to monitor the general condition of your skin. Atypical manifestations and neoplasms on it require an adequate and timely response. Only with such an attitude to health, skin cancer will bypass you!
Skin Cancer Test
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The diagnosis of cancer for many sounds like a terrible sentence, but is it? The term "cancer" has been known since the time of Hippocrates, who called diseases of the breast and other organs as "cancer" (translated from Greek as "crab", "cancer"). This name is due to the fact that neoplasms, like claws, grew deep into the tissue, which outwardly resembled a crab.
Cancer, a grouping of diseases that affect all systems, organs and tissues of a person, is characterized by the rapid growth of atypical cells that form for a long time from one normal cell under the influence of various factors, their penetration and spread to the surrounding organs.
Some statistics! In the world in 2012 there were about 14 million cases of cancer and 8 million deaths from this disease. Lung cancer in the structure of morbidity was 13%, becoming the most common cause of death from cancer and accounting for about 20% of all deaths from neoplasms. WHO predicts that in 30 years the prevalence of lung cancer will double. Russia and Ukraine are in second place in Europe in terms of mortality from lung cancer.
This high mortality from lung cancer is due to the fact that most often the diagnosis is made on late stages diseases due to poor visualization of the respiratory organs, so it is very important to identify the disease in time, which will increase the chances of recovery.
Interesting fact! Men get lung cancer 10 times more often than women, and the incidence increases with age. Therefore, with the aging of the population (and today in many European countries the number of older people is higher than that of young people), the incidence of oncological diseases also increases.
The problem of lung cancer is closely intertwined with the spread of tobacco smoking among all population groups, the state of the environment, the spread of viral and other infectious diseases. Therefore, the prevention of oncological diseases is the destiny of not only each person individually, but also the public as a whole.
Anatomy of the lungs
Topographic anatomy of the lungs
The lungs are a paired respiratory organ that provides oxygen to the blood and removes carbon dioxide. Lungs occupy 80% chest cavity.The structure of the lungs 
The lung skeleton represents bronchial tree, consisting of: trachea; left and right main bronchi; lobar bronchi; segmental bronchi. The lung tissue itself is made up of slices, which are formed from acini, directly involved in the process of respiration.
The lungs are covered with the pleura, which is a separate organ that protects the lung from friction during breathing. The pleura consists of two sheets (parietal and visceral), between which a pleural sac is formed (normally it is not visible). Normally, a small amount of secretion is secreted through the pores of the pleura, which is a kind of "lubrication" that reduces friction between the parietal and visceral pleura.
With lesions of the pleura, exudate (liquid) can be determined:
- serous, serous-purulent, purulent fluid - pleurisy,
- blood (hemorrhagic exudate) - hemithorax,
- air (pneumothorax).
The root of the lung is formed:
- main bronchus;
- pulmonary arteries and veins;
- bronchial arteries and veins;
- lymphatic vessels and nodes.
The mediastinum is a group of anatomical structures located between the pleural cavities. In order to describe the process, its localization, prevalence, determination of volumes surgical operations it is necessary to divide the mediastinum into upper and lower floors.
The upper mediastinum includes:
- thymus gland (thymus);
- vessels: part of the superior vena cava, aortic arch, brachiocephalic veins;
- trachea;
- esophagus;
- thoracic lymphatic vessel;
- nerve trunks: vagus, diaphragmatic, nerve plexuses of organs and vessels.
- heart, aorta and other vessels;
- The lymph nodes;
- pericardium;
- trachea;
- esophagus;
- nerve trunks.
X-ray anatomy of the lungs
Radiography is a layering of all projections of organs on an x-ray film in a two-dimensional image. On radiographs, dense tissues are depicted in white, air spaces are depicted in black. The denser the tissues, organs, or fluid, the whiter they appear on x-rays. On the plain x-ray chest organs are determined by:
- bone frame in the form of three thoracic vertebrae, sternum, clavicles, ribs and shoulder blades;
- muscular frame (sternocleidomastoid and pectoral muscles);
- right and left lung fields;
- domes of the diaphragm and pleuro-phrenic sinuses;
- heart and other mediastinal organs;
- right and left root of the lung;
- mammary glands and nipples;
- skin folds, moles, papillomas, keloid scars (scars).
Pulmonary drawing has a branched form, "poorer" (becomes less branched) from the center to the periphery. The right lung field is wider and shorter than the left one due to the cardiac shadow located in the middle (larger on the left).
Any darkening in the lung fields (on x-rays - white formations, due to an increase in the density of the lung tissue) are pathological and require further differential diagnosis. Also, when diagnosing diseases of the lungs and other organs of the chest cavity, it is important to pay attention to changes in the roots of the lungs, mediastinal expansion, the location of the chest organs, the presence of fluid or air in pleural cavity, deformation of the bone structures of the chest and more.
Depending on the size, shape, structure pathological shadows found in lung fields are divided into:
- Hypoppneumatosis(decrease in the airiness of the lung tissue):
- Linear - stranded and branched (fibrosis, connective tissue), strip-like (lesions of the pleura);
- Spotted - focal (up to 1 cm in size), foci (more than 1 cm in size)
- Hyperpneumatosis(increased transparency of the lung):
- Cavities surrounded by anatomical structures - bullae, emphysema;
- Cavities surrounded by an annular shadow are cavities;
- Cavities not limited by surrounding tissues.
- Mixed.
- low-intensity shadows (lighter, "fresh"),
- shadows of medium intensity;
- intense shadows (fibrous tissue);
- calcifications (look like bone tissue).
Radiation anatomy of lung cancer
Radiation diagnosis of lung cancer has great value in primary diagnosis. On x-rays of the lungs, shadows of various sizes, shapes and intensities can be determined. The main sign of a cancerous tumor is the tuberosity of the surface and the radiance of the contour.Depending on the x-ray picture, the following are distinguished: types of lung cancer:
- central cancer (photo A);
- peripheral cancer (nodular, pneumonia-like, pleural, cavitary forms) (photo B);
- mediastinal cancer (photo B);
- apical cancer (photo G).
B
AT
G
Pathological anatomy in lung cancer
Oncological formations of the lungs develop from the tissues of the bronchi or alveoli. More often, cancer appears in the segmental bronchi, after which it also affects the large bronchi. In the early stages, the cancerous formation is small, possibly not detected on radiographs, then gradually grows and can occupy the entire lung and involve the lymph nodes and other organs (often the mediastinum, pleura) in the process, as well as metastasize to other organs and systems of the body.Ways of distribution of metastases:
- Lymphogenic - along the lymphatic system - regional lymph nodes, mediastinal lymph nodes and other organs and tissues.
- Hematogenous - through the blood along the vessels - the brain, bones, liver, thyroid gland and other organs.
Types of lung cancer depending on the type of cancer cells
- Small cell lung cancer- occurs in 20% of cases, has an aggressive course. It is characterized by rapid progression and metastasis, early dissemination (spread) of metastases to the lymph nodes of the mediastinum.
- Non-small cell lung cancer:
- Adenocarcinoma - observed in 50% of cases, spreads from the glandular tissue of the bronchi, more often in the initial stages proceeds without symptoms. It is characterized by profuse sputum production.
- Squamous cell carcinoma occurs in 20-30% of cases, is formed from squamous cells in the epithelium of small and large bronchi, in the root of the lungs, grows and metastasizes slowly.
- undifferentiated cancer characterized by high atypicality of cancer cells.
- Other types of cancer:
- bronchial carcinoids are formed from hormone-producing cells (asymptomatic, difficult to diagnose, slow growing).
- tumors from surrounding tissues (vessels, smooth muscles, immune cells, etc.).
- metastases from tumors located in other organs.
What does a cancerous lung look like?
In the photo of peripheral cancer of the left lung, under the pleura, a large cancerous tumor without clear boundaries. Tumor tissue is dense, gray-white, hemorrhages and necrosis around. The pleura is also involved in the process. Smoker's lung
Photo of a lung affected by central bronchus cancer. The formation is dense, connected with the main bronchus, gray-white in color, the boundaries of the neoplasm are fuzzy.
Causes of lung cancer
- Smoking, including passive.
- Air pollution.
- Harmful working conditions.
- radioactive background.
- genetic predisposition.
- Concomitant chronic infectious diseases.
- Other causes of cancer development, including malnutrition, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol abuse, viral infections etc.
Smoking
T 800-900 C
Harm of smoking
- Chemical effect on cell genotype. The main cause of lung cancer is the inhalation of harmful substances into the lungs with the air. Cigarette smoke contains about 4,000 chemicals, including carcinogens. As the number of cigarettes smoked per day increases, the risk of lung cancer increases geometric progression.
When cigarette smoke is inhaled, carcinogens can affect the genes of the cell, cause their damage, thereby contributing to the degeneration of a healthy cell into a cancerous one. - Physical effect on the bronchial mucosa of high temperatures and smoke.
The risk of cancer during smoking also increases due to the temperature of the cigarette: for example, when it smolders, the temperature reaches 800-900C, which is a powerful catalyst for carcinogens. - Narrowing of the bronchi and blood vessels
Under the physical and chemical effects of nicotine, the bronchi and pulmonary vasculature narrow. Over time, the bronchi lose their ability to stretch during breathing, which leads to a decrease in the volume of inhaled oxygen, in turn, to a decrease in oxygen saturation of the body as a whole and the area affected by cancer. lung cells in particular. - Increase in the amount of sputum secreted, its thickening
Nicotine is able to increase the secretion of lung secretion - sputum, its thickening, and excretion from the bronchi, this leads to a decrease in lung volume. - Atrophy of the villous epithelium of the bronchi
Cigarette smoke also adversely affects the villi of the bronchi and upper respiratory tract, which normally contribute to active excretion of sputum with particles of dust, microbial bodies, tar from cigarette smoke and other harmful substances that have entered the respiratory tract. With insufficiency of bronchial villi the only way sputum excretion becomes a cough, which is why smokers constantly cough. - Decreased oxygen saturation
Insufficient oxygen saturation of the cells and tissues of the body, as well as the toxic effect of harmful substances of tobacco, affects general body resistance and immunity which increases the risk of developing cancer in general. - Second hand smoke has the same danger as the active one. When exhaled by a smoker, nicotine smoke becomes more concentrated.
Causes of lung cancer in non-smokers, mechanisms of development
- genetic factor
In modern times, with the study of the genetics of many diseases, it has been proven that the predisposition to cancer is inherited. Moreover, the predisposition to the development of certain forms and localizations of cancer is also inherited. - Environmental pollution exhaust gases from transport, industrial enterprises and other human activities affect the human body in the same way as passive smoking. Also relevant is the problem of contamination of soil and water with carcinogens.
- Asbestos dust and other industrial substances (arsenic, nickel, cadmium, chromium, etc.) contained in industrial dust are carcinogens. Asbestos dust contains heavy particles that settle in the bronchi and are difficult to be excreted by the respiratory system. These particles contribute to the development of pulmonary fibrosis and the long-term effect of the carcinogens contained in them on the genetic background of normal cells, which leads to the development of cancer.
- Radon
Natural gas is a decay product of uranium.
Radon can be detected at work, in water, soil and dust. During the decay of radon, alpha particles are formed, which, with dust and aerosols, enter the lungs of a person, where they also affect the DNA of the cell, causing it to degenerate into an abnormal one. - Infectious diseases of the broncho-pulmonary system, as well as inadequate therapy for them, can lead to chronic inflammation of the bronchi and lungs, which, in turn, contributes to the formation and spread of fibrosis. The development of fibrous tissue can cause the development of cancer cells. The same mechanism of transformation of cancer cells is possible in the formation of scars in tuberculosis.
Symptoms and signs of lung cancer
Early manifestation of lung cancer
It is most important to identify the disease in the early stages of tumor development, while most often the course at the beginning of the disease is asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic.The symptoms of lung cancer are non-specific, they can also appear in many other diseases, but a complex of symptoms may be a reason to see a doctor for further examination for the presence of an oncological disease.
Depending on the spread of the lesion, form, localization and stage, the symptoms may be different. There are a number of symptoms that can lead to suspicion of lung cancer.
| Symptom | How the symptom manifests | Causes of the symptom |
| Cough | Dry, frequent, hacking, paroxysmal, later - moist with profuse secretion of thick sputum (mucous or purulent). | Tumor of the bronchus, compression of the bronchus by a tumor from the outside, copious excretion sputum, enlarged intrathoracic lymph nodes, toxic-allergic effect on the bronchi. |
| Dyspnea | It appears with little physical activity: the greater the tumor lesion, the more dyspnea is manifested. Possible shortness of breath by the type of bronchial obstruction, accompanied by noisy wheezing. | Narrowing of the lumen of the bronchus, collapse of a segment or lobe of the lung (atelectasis), secondary pneumonia, the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity (pleurisy), spread of the tumor by the lymphatic system, damage to intrathoracic lymph nodes, compression of the superior vena cava, etc. |
| Hemoptysis | It is rare and is manifested by the appearance of streaks or blood clots in the sputum, possibly profuse frothy or jelly-like sputum, in rare cases, profuse bleeding, which can lead to rapid lethal outcome sick. | It is associated with tumor damage to a blood vessel in the form of melting of its wall and blood entering the bronchus. |
| Chest pain | The pain can be different: from periodic to acute paroxysmal and constant. The pain can be given to the shoulder, neck, stomach. Also, the pain can be aggravated by deep breathing, coughing. The pain is not relieved by taking non-narcotic painkillers. The intensity of pain can be used to judge the degree of damage to the lungs and other organs of the chest. | Tumor damage to nervous structures, fluid in the pleural cavity, compression of the mediastinal organs, damage main vessels And so on. |
| Increase in body temperature | A common symptom of cancer. It can be a temporary symptom (as in SARS) or recurring (sometimes patients do not pay attention to this symptom). | The collapse of the lung tissue, inflammatory changes in the affected organ. |
| General intoxication symptoms | Decreased appetite, weight loss, fatigue, nervous system disorders and others. | Intoxication due to the collapse of lung tissue, metastasis. |
Stages and types of lung cancer
Depending on the anatomical location:- Central cancer characterized by a tumor in the epithelium of the main bronchi.
- peripheral cancer affects the smaller bronchi and alveoli.
- Mediastinal cancer characterized by metastasis to the intrathoracic lymph nodes, with primary tumor not found.
- Disseminated cancer lungs is manifested by the presence of multiple small cancerous foci.
Depending on the extent of the tumor
| Stage | Dimensions | Damage to the lymph nodes | Metastases |
| Stage 0 | Tumor has not spread to surrounding tissues | No | No |
| Stage І A | No | No | |
| Stage I B | No | No | |
| Stage II A | Tumor up to 3 cm, does not affect the main bronchus | No | |
| Stage II B | The tumor is 3 to 5 cm in size, has not spread to other parts of the lungs, is 2 cm or more below the trachea | The defeat of single regional peribronchial lymph nodes. | No |
| No | No | ||
| Stage III A | Tumor up to 5 cm, with/without involvement of other parts of the lungs | The defeat of the bifurcation or other lymph nodes of the mediastinum on the side of the lesion | No |
| A tumor of any size that spreads to other organs of the chest, except for the trachea, heart, large vessels | The defeat of the peribronchial, regional or bifurcation and other lymph nodes of the mediastinum on the side of the lesion | No | |
| Stage III B | Tumor of any size affecting the mediastinum, heart, great vessels, trachea, and other organs | Involvement of any lymph nodes | No |
| Tumor of any size and prevalence | The defeat of the lymph nodes of the mediastinum on the opposite side, the lymph nodes of the upper shoulder girdle | No | |
| Stage IV | Tumor of any size | Damage to any lymph nodes | Presence of any metastasis |
Diagnosis of lung cancer
X-ray diagnostic methods
- Fluorography (FG)- mass screening X-ray method of examination of the chest organs.
Indications:
- the patient has complaints of a pulmonary or intoxication nature;
- detection of pathology on fluorography;
- detection of neoplasms in other organs in order to exclude metastasis to the lungs and mediastinum;
- other individual indications.
- the ability to use certain projections individually;
- the ability to use X-ray studies with the introduction of contrast agents into the bronchi, vessels and esophagus in order to conduct a differential diagnosis of the identified pathology;
- detection of neoplasms, determination of their approximate size, localization, prevalence;
- low radiological load during one projection of radiography, since x-rays penetrate the body only along one surface of the body (with an increase in the number of images, the radiation load increases sharply);
- a fairly cheap research method.
- insufficient information content - due to the layering of the three-dimensional measurement of the chest on the two-dimensional measurement of the x-ray film.
- Fluoroscopy
It is a real-time X-ray method of examination.
Flaws: high radiation exposure, but with the introduction of digital fluoroscopes, this disadvantage is practically leveled due to a significant reduction in the radiation dose.Advantages:
- the ability to evaluate not only the organ itself, but also its mobility, as well as the movement of injected contrast agents;
- the ability to control the conduct of invasive manipulations (angiography, etc.).
- detection of fluid in the pleural cavity;
- conducting contrast research methods and instrumental manipulations;
- screening of the state of the chest organs in the postoperative period.
- Computed tomography (CT)
Advantages:
- Efficiency and safety.
- Displaying the structure of the body using radio waves emitted by hydrogen atoms, which are found in all cells and tissues of the body.
- Absence of radiation exposure - is a tomographic, but not an x-ray method of examination,
- High accuracy of detection of neoplasms, their position, type, shape and stage of a cancerous tumor.
- unwanted use of x-rays;
- suspicion of the presence of neoplasms and metastases;
- the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity (pleurisy);
- an increase in intrathoracic lymph nodes;
- control of the operation in the chest cavity.
- The presence of contraindications (the use of a pacemaker, electronic and metal implants, the presence of metal fragments, artificial joints).
- MRI is not recommended when using insulin pumps, with claustrophobia, mental arousal of the patient, the presence of tattoos using dyes from metal compounds.
- Expensive research method.
Indications:
- determination of the presence of fluid or gases in the pleural cavity, enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes;
- detection of metastases in organs abdominal cavity and pelvis, kidneys and adrenal glands.
- Bronchoscopy
This is an invasive method for examining the airways using a bronchoscope.
Advantages:
- tumor detection, inflammatory processes and foreign bodies in the bronchi;
- the possibility of taking a biopsy of the tumor.
- invasiveness and discomfort during the procedure.
- suspected neoplasm in the bronchus;
- taking tissue biopsy material.
Histological and cytological methods for the study of lung cancer
Determination of the cellular composition of the formation, detection of cancer cells by microscopy of tissue sections. The method is highly specific and informative. Biopsy methods:
- thoracocentesis - puncture of the pleural cavity;
- fine needle aspiration biopsy - taking material through the chest;
- mediastinoscopy - taking material from the lymph nodes of the mediastinum through a puncture of the chest;
- thoracotomy - surgical diagnostic operations with opening the chest;
- cytological examination of sputum.
tumor markers
They are detected in the study of a blood test for specific proteins secreted by cancer cells. Indications:
- an additional method for detecting neoplasms by other methods;
- monitoring the effectiveness of treatment;
- detection of disease recurrence.
- low specificity;
- insufficient sensitivity.
- Cancer embryonic antigen(REA)
up to 5 μg / l - the norm;
5-10 μg / l - may indicate non-specific diseases;
10-20 mcg / l - indicates a risk of developing cancer;
more than 20 μg / l - indicates a greater likelihood of cancer. - Neuron-specific enolase (NSE)
up to 16.9 μg / l - the norm;
more than 17.0 μg / l - a high probability of small cell lung cancer. - Cyfra 21-1
up to 3.3 μg / l - the norm;
more than 3.3 μg / l - a high probability of non-small cell lung cancer.
Lung Cancer Treatment
Treatment of any oncological disease should be long, complex and consistent. The sooner treatment is started, the more effective it becomes.Efficiency treatment defines:
- absence of relapses and metastases within 2-3 years (the risk of relapses after 3 years is sharply reduced);
- five-year survival after the end of treatment.
- chemotherapy;
- radiation therapy;
- surgery;
- ethnoscience.
Chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy (CT) is a common method of treating lung cancer (especially in complex treatment), which consists in taking chemotherapy drugs that affect the growth and vital activity of cancer cells.
- In modern times, scientists around the world are studying and discovering the latest chemotherapy drugs, which leaves the opportunity for this method to come out on top in the treatment of cancer.
- HT is carried out in courses. The number of courses depends on the effectiveness of the therapy (on average, 4-6 chemotherapy blocks are needed).
- Tactics and schemes of chemotherapy differ in small cell and non-small cell lung cancer.
- Chemotherapy is more effective in rapidly growing forms of cancer (small cell carcinoma).
- CT can be used for cancer at any stage, even in the most advanced cases.
- Chemotherapy is used in combination with radiation therapy or with surgical treatment.
in combination with radiotherapy or surgical intervention- five-year survival rate at stage I is up to 65%, at stage II - up to 40%, at stage III - up to 25%, at stage IV - up to 2%.
Radiotherapy (radiotherapy)
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment method that uses ionizing radiation to affect cancer cells. Dose, duration, number of procedures is determined individually.When applied:
- Cancer tumors are small.
- Before or after surgery to target cancer cells.
- The presence of metastases.
- As one of the methods of palliative treatment.
Video of using CyberKnife for lung cancer:
The main possible side effects of radiation therapy are:
- Damage to the skin at the site of exposure to a radioactive beam.
- fatigue.
- Baldness.
- Bleeding from a cancerous organ.
- Pneumonia, pleurisy.
- Hyperthermic syndrome (increased body temperature).
Surgical treatment of lung cancer
Surgery to remove the tumor is the most effective method cancer treatment. But, unfortunately, surgical intervention is possible only with timely identified processes (I - II and partly III stages). The effectiveness of surgical treatment is higher for non-small cell lung cancer than for small cell lung cancer. Thus, only 10-30% of patients with lung cancer are operable.To inoperable cases include:
- Advanced forms of lung cancer.
- Cases with relative contraindications to surgical treatment:
- heart failure II-III degree;
- severe pathologies of the heart;
- severe liver or kidney failure;
- severe general condition;
- patient's age.
Operation types:
- Partial resection of the lung.
- Lobectomy is the removal of an entire lobe of the lung.
- A pulmonectomy is the removal of the entire lung.
- Combined operations – removal of the affected part of the lung and the affected parts of surrounding organs.
The effectiveness of surgical treatment depends on the stage and type of cancer, on the general condition of the patient, on the type of operation chosen, the professionalism of the operating team, equipment and complexity of treatment.
- Three-year absence of relapses - up to 50%.
- Five-year survival - up to 30%.
Without treatment, about 80% of patients die from lung cancer within two years.
Palliative care - measures aimed at making life easier for patients with advanced forms of lung cancer or with no effect on the therapy.
Palliative care includes:
- Symptomatic treatment that relieves the manifestation of symptoms, but does not cure the disease (narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics, antitussives, tranquilizers, and others). In addition to drugs, palliative operations (radiation and chemotherapy) are used.
- Improvement of the psycho-emotional state of the patient.
- Prevention of infectious diseases.
- Individual approach to such patients.
Folk methods
- The effectiveness of treatment with folk methods has not been studied enough.
- It is desirable to use these methods in combination with the methods of traditional medicine (after consulting the attending physician).
- It is possible to use folk methods as palliative care sick.
- As in traditional medicine, treatment regimens with traditional methods depend on the form, localization, type, stage and prevalence of the cancer process.
- Herbal decoctions and tinctures (mostly poisonous plants are used).
- Applications of herbal tinctures, healing stones.
- Energy medicine.
- Special diets and exercise.
Decoction of aconite roots. 20 g of plant roots are poured with water (1 l), then boiled for 2 hours. Drink at bedtime 30 ml daily.
Musk tincture. Pour 5 g of musk into 200 ml of vodka, leave for 1 month in the dark. Start taking 5 drops after each meal, gradually increase the dose to 25 drops. After each month of treatment - a break of 7 days.
Tincture of rose catharanthus. Pour leaves and flowers of caranthus into a half-liter container, pour them with 70% alcohol to a volume of 1 liter, leave in a dark place for 2 weeks. Drink 5 drops 3 times before meals. Increase the dose within a month to 20 drops. A month later - a break for 7 days, then start again. This treatment lasts 8 months.
A decoction of cetraria. Pour 2 teaspoons of crushed cetraria with 250 ml of chilled water for 12 hours. After putting in a water bath, evaporate to 2/3 of the volume. Take 1-2 tablespoons 3 times a day. Every 3 weeks - a break of 7 days.
Tincture of laurel leaves. 250 g of fresh leaves pour 1 liter of vodka, leave in the dark for 2-3 weeks. Take 10 drops 2 times a day 1 hour after meals, gradually increase the dose to 20-25 drops per dose, then to 7 and 10 ml. Drink a month, then a 2-week break, repeat this scheme.
Also, in the treatment of lung cancer, various decoctions and tinctures from saffron, zamaniha, sage, wormwood, violet roots, creaker grass and many other plants are used.
Prevention of lung cancer
The basis for the prevention of lung cancer and any other oncological disease are: - Healthy lifestyle
- Stop smoking cigarettes.
- Defence from passive smoking.
- Refusal or moderate consumption of alcohol.
- Refusal to use drugs.
- Mobile lifestyle.
- healthy eating.
- Fight against excess body weight.
- Refusal to take any medications without the need and appointment of doctors.
- Prevention of infectious diseases, especially those transmitted through blood and sexual contact.
- Adequate antibiotic therapy for infectious diseases of the lungs and bronchi.
- Dosing exposure to sunlight.
- Pregnancy planning - a healthy lifestyle during the period of conception and childbearing will significantly reduce the risk of cancer.
- Society's fight against environmental pollution.
- Personal respiratory protection in hazardous industries.
- Reducing exposure to radiation: improving ventilation in the home, checking the radon levels of building materials used in the home, avoiding non-indicated radiological methods diagnostics.
- Timely and regular medical examination.
All photos from the article
Skin cancer is a malignant neoplasm that forms on the skin surface. This type of cancer grows very quickly and forms metastases, so it is very important to know what it looks like, its symptoms and signs at an early stage.
What it is?
Skin cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of malignant tumors, which has a tendency to rapid progression with the formation of metastases. Every year, an increase in the number of cases of this pathology, which is also called melanoma in another way, is recorded, so it is very important to know what the disease looks like, its symptoms and signs at the initial stage. This will help our article, which presents photos of skin cancer different stages, as well as photographs of healthy and borderline moles.
As the name implies, this oncological disease occurs on the skin. If we talk about the number of cases of malignant tumors on the skin, they are approximately 10% from all cases of cancer. In this case, some features of the disease can be distinguished:
- The probability of getting sick does not depend on gender, the disease is equally characteristic of both men and women.
- Older patients are at greater risk a large number nevi (moles).
- In addition to age, the color of the skin is strongly affected, skin cancer affects mainly fair-skinned people.
- Intensive ultraviolet treatment, both artificial and natural, has a significant effect and often provokes the appearance of neoplasms. Therefore, staying on the beach or in the solarium should be dosed.
- Melanoma progresses very quickly, so you should know how it looks and at the first signs and symptoms, even at an early initial stage, consult an oncologist.
Oncological education skin disease usually placed on the hands, face, which are more open and exposed to ultraviolet rays. However, it is important to examine all other areas of the body, such as the legs, feet, and even the scalp.
Additionally, the likelihood of getting sick increases if moles are often injured, exposed to chemical burns, exposure to heavy metals and various chemical compounds.
precancerous condition
A variety of skin pathologies, which are called precancerous, contribute to the onset of skin cancer. They are divided into several groups:
- Optional include the situation when a neoplasm appears due to the simultaneity of several circumstances, for example, radiation injury, trophic ulcer, skin horn, scars, etc.
- Obligate include pathologies that are borderline, the likelihood of the initial stage of skin cancer after which is very high.
Examples of obligate diseases:
- In the presence of xeroderma pigmentosa, which usually appears due to poor heredity, the skin is very sensitive to sunlight. Early signs of pathology usually appear in childhood, which is expressed by abundant redness of the affected skin areas, their swelling and pigmentation. Subsequently, the skin at the site of irritation exfoliates, looks darkened and scarred. Unfortunately, this disease almost always goes into initial stage skin cancer, due to which patients rarely live beyond 30 years.
- Bowen's disease is often diagnosed in the aging male population. Its signs are the presence of a single formation on the skin on any part of the body. This ailment almost always turns into cancer and is subsequently often complicated by its other types.
- With Paget's disease, patients have severe itching and discomfort in the axillary area, around the nipples and in the genitals, as there is the appearance of neoplasms in the form of round red plaques with a distinct contour.
If any of the precancerous diseases described are found, it is important not to delay going to the doctor, as treatment is always required in such conditions.
Types of skin cancer
The identification of certain first signs will be associated with the histological form of the tumor. We describe the most common cancer manifestations.
Basal cell
This skin cancer has several varieties:
- nodal, most often tumors are just such. Usually the nodule is raised above the skin plane and has a red color.
- ulcerative. The name speaks for itself, the ulcer is very painful, has a fuzzy edge and grows in diameter.
- Surface. Visually resembles a round crimson plaque with small nodes along the periphery.
- Sclerosing, in which scarring and areas with dead skin occur
- Infiltrative is characterized by germination deep into the epidermis and dermis.
Squamous
Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the following types:
- Exophytic, having the appearance of a knot standing on a wide neck, in some cases the neoplasm looks like a rooster's comb. It is easily injured, after which bleeding begins and subsequent crusting.
- Infiltrative - ulcerative type with jagged edge. It is characterized by rapid germination in tissue structures nearby, from which it is considered very prone to metastasis.
Only external signs and symptoms cannot be the basis for diagnosing skin cancer, any suspicion of its initial stage should be checked by a doctor.
stages
Skin cancer is classified into stages determined by depth pathological changes. The first stage is the initial and easiest in terms of symptoms and manifestations, and the fourth means the presence of multiple metastases.
We describe the main differences between the stages from each other:
- 1 stage characterized by a depth of tumor germination deep into the skin by no more than one millimeter.
- 2 stage means a depth of 1-2 mm with ulcers, or more than 2 mm, but without ulceration.
- 3 stage- cancer cells have grown deep enough and begin to spread to the lymph nodes, forming single metastases there.
- 4 stage– there are multiple secondary lesions in different parts of the body.
With the transition to each next stage, melanoma becomes more and more intractable, and the dependence here is far from linear. Therefore, the most important task is to detect oncology at an early stage. To do this, you need not only to be aware of how melanoma looks in the photo. Let's take a look at the photos themselves a little lower, but also know its main symptoms and signs.
Signs and symptoms of skin cancer
Despite the fact that the pathology has not been fully studied to date and anyone can get skin cancer, the main signs are distinguished by which the onset of the disease is effectively detected. Usually it is formed in place of an existing, as well as a newly formed mole (or nevus in a scientific way), in rare situations, cancer cells appear and divide in papilloma.
Let's describe what melanoma looks like at the initial and other stages of development:
- Asymmetrical shape. Highly important symptoms when a mole, mentally separated by two axes, has quarters that are very different from each other. At the same time, asymmetrical healthy nevi are not uncommon, so you need to track their shape in dynamics.
- Fuzzy and blurry borders when there is no clear border separating the mole, but instead a blurred or jagged edge is visible
- Glossy surface
- Color unevenness, especially if shades of black red, blue appeared in the palette
- Large diameter, due to the intensive division of atypical cells, the formation quickly becomes larger than 0.5 cm
- Fallen hair when cancer cells destroy the hair follicle
- If any of the above items appeared for short period of time
Photo 1. Table of signs of skin cancer
During self-diagnosis, it is important to examine hard-to-reach areas, including the scalp, oral cavity, nose, auricles, as well as the back, genitals, etc. If it is impossible to independently examine, you need to attract an assistant, telling him what the tumor might look like.
What does skin cancer look like in its early stages?
At the initial stage, melanoma cancer is different from other moles, but with the help of a careful examination, you can notice the symptoms described above.
Photo 2. What skin cancer looks like
Photos of borderline moles
In the photo below there are some signs of cancer, in this case, you should definitely visit an oncologist or dermatologist to make a diagnosis.
Photo 3. Borderline moles with some symptoms
Treatment
Before starting treatment, a diagnosis is carried out, which is carried out:
- Using a flaw detector or dermatoscope - a device with strong magnification and illumination
- Cytological or histological examination of cell samples obtained from the tumor. Sampling methods are puncture or scraping.
- Biopsy, taking for analysis a more massive part of a cancerous neoplasm.
In addition, the procedure is often computed tomography or MRI, which detects metastases and checks if there is a lesion in the lymph nodes.
The main method by which cancer is treated is the removal of a mole with a tumor by surgical excision followed by radiation therapy. Typically, such a set of therapeutic techniques can effectively fight primary and secondary skin cancer. Chemotherapy and more modern targeted therapy are used in conditions where surgery is not possible or there are numerous metastases.
Forecast
The likelihood of recovery and not recurrence in the future is determined by many factors, mainly the specific type of skin cancer and the stage of development when treatment began. The superficial type is usually treated well, as it has a lower tendency to metastasize. Other forms offer less rosy prospects, since the progression of the disease from the initial to the last stage often happens in just in a few months.
Prevention
Prevention consists of timely treatment precancerous diseases, as well as early detection of skin cancer by its symptoms and signs, for which you need to know what it looks like.
Fair-skinned people should be very careful about being under the sun or in a solarium. After a trip to the south, it is important to carefully examine yourself so as not to miss the changes that may have begun in the moles. If a person’s work is associated with an unfavorable environment, then personal protective equipment should not be neglected and self-diagnosis should also be carried out regularly.
People call oncology the queen of diseases. Every year, it claims the lives of millions of still able-bodied citizens, and is one of the three world "leaders" in terms of the number of deaths of the planet's population.
This is what can explain the pathological fear of a person before the diagnosis of "cancer" and the term - metastases.
Metastases are secondary foci that are malignant in nature and are considered the most severe manifestation of cancer recurrence. They can spread throughout the patient's body from the site of the tumor localization through the bloodstream, lymphatic system, as well as increasing in size, grow into neighboring organs and functioning systems.
How metastasis occurs, you can learn from this video:
Kinds
The process is characterized by a plurality of options that are fundamentally different from each other, the nature of origin and the method of distribution through the human body. In addition, its various manifestations penetrate into certain parts of the body with varying frequency, and often their development is not accompanied by severe symptoms.
Virchowski
Virchow's pathology is formed in the upper region of the collarbone on the neck, a malignant tumor of the stomach is considered a provoking factor.
Location of the lesion due to the flow of lymphatic fluid from the peritoneum.
Fragments of cancer-affected structures move along the lymphatics, flowing into the cervical node. Due to the fact that their further path is blocked, diseased cells begin to form in this place a new formation with the same nature.
Doctors consider the main reason for the appearance of this type of metastasis to be a tumor of the abdominal system, pancreas, or cirrhosis of the liver.
It looks like a large seal, regular, rounded shape, outlined contours, palpation of the focus of inflammation does not cause pain.
Krukenberg
It is characterized by the lymphatic nature of the formation and is located in the ovaries. It makes up about 40% of pathological neoplasms of the secondary type from the total number of metastases in this organ.
Occurs with cancer diagnoses:
- stomach;
- chest;
- intestinal sections;
- bile ducts;
- bladder and cervical anomalies.
Often isolated, and this is not an indicator of the neglect of his staging. Basically, both parts of the body are affected. Small size, smooth surface and total absence discomfort when pressing on the formation.
If a recurrence is detected, urgent amputation of the ovaries is indicated.
Schnitzlerovsky
Schnitzlerovsky processes are called the development of focal tumors in cellular tissues in the region of the rectum and pareractal lymph nodes.
They are felt when pressed with fingers, there is no visible pain syndrome. Provokes this type of metastasis oncology of the stomach. From the point of view of science, it is interesting because it is localized in remote segments of the body.
It is a seal resembling the shape of an egg and is characterized by even, smooth outlines. The movement of atypical cells occurs through the lymphatic system through the following gastric tracts:
- from the right side of the organ;
- from the outflow that goes beyond the cavity;
- from paths ending in peritoneal lymph.
osteoblastic
This type develops in bone tissues and activates the activity of osteoblasts, the excessive activity of which provokes increased calcium deposits in hard tissues, thereby causing their rapid growth.
This process is pathological and causes irreversible cellular mutations in the bones.
Causes of tumor foci:
- breast cancer;
- prostate cancer;
- damage to the thyroid gland;
- sarcoma.
Osteoblastic metastasis differs from other types of secondary tumor formations by an extremely unfavorable prognosis for the effectiveness of treatment and a low percentage of patient survival.
Solitary
Solitary type - single formations of a malignant nature, located in the lungs or brain tissues. Very rarely - in other organs. The value is more than 3 cm, it is diagnosed during an X-ray examination. If it is in the lung, it is enveloped by the parenchyma of the organ and is an active manifestation of a non-small cell form of cancer.
Its appearance has a pronounced relationship with smoking - 90% of patients with solitary metastasis have a long-term nicotine dependence. The penetrating ability of lesions in the organs is rapid and practically cannot be corrected.
osteolytic
Secondary pathology, as described above, is concentrated in bone tissue, however, the specifics of its negative effect on tissues has its own peculiarity. By systematically destroying the structural component of the bones and provoking a strong activity of osteoclasts, it causes a mutation and a qualitative change in the composition of tissues at the molecular level.
The ribs, pelvic bones, and lower extremities . Sometimes the anomaly also captures the brain, partially limiting its activity. A distinctive feature from analogous pathologies is not the proliferation of tissues due to the appearance of bone tumors, but, on the contrary, their persistent destruction.
Description
The processes of metastasis are actively triggered in more than 80% of those suffering from cancer of certain departments diagnosed in the late stages of the course of the disease.
Such a single or multiple screening of cellular fragments of a malignant tumor is a life-threatening phenomenon. Consider how these malignant foci look in various organs and systems of the functioning of the human body.
In the lungs
Lung cancer is the leader among diagnoses with early and aggressive metastasis.
The formations are multiple, regular, rounded. They have a denser structure than the organ itself and a more delicate, pinkish tint.
Similar to spherical moving shadows, they are able to capture almost the entire surface of the organ in a short period of time.
Their distinctive feature is a clear pulmonary pattern, which retains its natural shape even in those places where it encircles the formations.
The largest malignant foci, about 6 cm in size, the smallest - within 1 cm.
in the liver
Metastases of this organ differ from others in that they can have both simple and complex structure so they may look completely different on the outside.
In the first case, this homogeneous in structural content, foci, characterized by smooth, regular outlines and having different echogenicity. Sometimes they are surrounded by a dark rim and resemble the eye of a fish.
With their complex structure, the composition of tissues is different - inside the formation is denser, and the texture is heterogeneous, which is clearly seen in the photo.
Basically, they are characterized by a multiplicity of processes and are easily diagnosed by ultrasound.
in the bones
Affected irreversible areas of hard tissue in the photo have a darker color. The contour of the organ in the zone of development of the anomaly is deformed, and the focus itself has a red tint and a somewhat voluminous shape, protruding 1–2 mm above the bone surface. The consistency is softer and looser than the place where they are located. They appear multiple, the size varies from 0.5 mm to 4 - 5 cm.
On the skin
located on the surface of the skin and look like small spots or regular round nodules. On palpation, their denser structure is felt in comparison with skin epithelium in a normal state.
The nature of the distribution is multiple, aggressive, anomalies can quickly increase in size.
The color is predominantly beige, similar to the natural skin tone, which, as the oncology grows, changes to a darker one - red, with a bluish tint, purple, or even black.
Often the halo that envelops them looks inflamed, while the wounds can swell and release an unpleasant-smelling, bleeding fluid.
It is characterized by rather hard, fibrous scars of various sizes.
In the lymph nodes
The processes of metastasis are extensive and appear in the form of fairly large nodular seals, which are not only palpable, but also perfectly visible to the naked eye.
Multiple tuberous seals protrude high above the surface of the neck, and are mobile on palpation. They differ in a purple skin halo encircling the places of manifestation of nodal connections.
in the spine
They have a consistency of medium density, a delicate shade, with relative external fragility, they quickly destroy bone tissue and go to the surface of the intervertebral parts of the organ. In the photo, it can be seen that the affected bone areas somewhat change their shape and size. They are usually located in the central compartment of the spine.
in my head
In fact, metastases located in the head section are characterized by more light color, but for their diagnosis, the patient is injected with a coloring pigment, as a result of which, on the photo image, the anomalies, on the contrary, are darker.
This makes it easier to visualize them. They can be both single and multiple, different in size. The smallest are foci, less than 0.5 cm in diameter, large - more than 7 - 8 cm. The structure of the tumor is heterogeneous, bumpy, closer to the central part the formation is compacted and darker.
In the intestines
In the intestines, metastases are larger, they are distinguished by a rich dark, sometimes black, color. By external structure resemble a nut, but have a soft and somewhat elastic texture. Formed in the inner part of the intestine, after a short time they break through the organ and come to the surface, squeezing the tissues and preventing digestion.
In the abdominal cavity
It spreads focally, fixing on inside an organ with a membranous structure. Having fixed once, then they become motionless. Rather large foci, have a somewhat elongated shape and are concentrated mainly in the lower part of the peritoneum, where the amount of fluid lubricating the membrane is limited.
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