Cancer: signs and symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Why there is bowel cancer but not heart cancer

Cancer is a malignant tumor that can form in any organ, and over time it only increases. The structure of the tumor depends on the age of the person and the presence of other diseases. Before describing the symptoms, you need to understand what cancer is.

Article content:

What is cancer (disease)

Basically, cancer is described depending on its location in the body, if the disease appears in the gastrointestinal tract, there is a sharp decrease in weight, called cachexia, then anemia appears. If cancer affects the liver, a person feels exhausted, metabolism slows down. The localization of a malignant tumor demonstrates a clinical picture, if it is located in the final part of the stomach, symptoms of stenosis will appear. Because of this, food will not enter the intestines. But if the disease appeared in the initial part of the stomach, then dysphagia will appear - food will not enter the stomach or will come, but in small quantities.

In the future, at a late stage of the disease, all symptoms intensify, but they are not associated with the main cancerous tumor, but with metastases that have penetrated deep into the tissues of the body. For example, the symptoms of lung cancer can be expressed through the brain if metastases penetrate into it. For example, doctors say that prostate cancer can only be detected after checking the bones, if there are pain sensations and metastases in the bones, this indicates prostate cancer.

All malignant tumors, not including local symptoms, which are associated with only one organ, have certain general symptoms. The further the tumor develops, the more it destroys the internal organs, and the most important systems of the body. Over time, changes occur in metabolism, endocrine, nervous and immune system. Because of this, the tumor has a double effect, either it destroys only one organ, or it destroys the whole system. When exposed to one organ, the tumor poisons healthy tissue, which is in close proximity to the neoplasm. The local influence of a cancerous tumor is detected during the test, if the patient complains of certain symptoms. There are several groups of cancer symptoms: obstruction, destruction, compression. Each group has its own characteristics: destruction - destruction of the tumor, obturation - narrowing of the lumen of the organ, compression - pressure on the organ.

Why is it important to confirm/deny cancer symptoms?

There are chances of a cure for the disease if it is detected as early as possible and treatment is started immediately. A person can immediately be examined and detect cancer when he did not have time to develop it, and the tumor is not of a huge size. This means that the cancer has not had time to affect other organs, it is not large and can be cured. As a rule, doctors prescribe surgery with complete removal a cancerous tumor, it is this method that can cure cancer in the first stages. It is imperative to start treatment if skin melanoma is present, it can be removed quite simply if it has not deepened and pierced the inner layers of the skin. But very often, melanoma develops rapidly and penetrates too deeply, so it is impossible to carry out any treatment, only if it has not yet deepened. A person has 5 years to be treated if the melanoma is not very advanced.

Works often psychological factor- a person is afraid to see a doctor, he believes that surgery or cancer treatment can provoke complications, and he tries to ignore any symptoms that he notices. Of course, symptoms such as fatigue and diarrhea are not necessarily related to cancer, but they can indicate the presence of cancer and should be checked anyway. Also, the girl may think that the standard uterine fibroids and cysts do not indicate the presence of cancer, perhaps this is a common disease that will pass with time. But the more a person ignores the symptoms, the greater the chance that the disease will deepen and become incurable after a while. Very often completely healthy people discover that they have cancer after being tested and have not had any symptoms, and if a person has at least one symptom related to cancer, you need to go to the doctor immediately.

Five Common Signs of Cancer

You need to understand what is non-specific symptoms this disease. First, a person may suddenly lose weight for no reason, or there will be changes in skin color and acne. Secondly, the presence of any infection is evidenced by a high temperature, cancer is no exception. Of course, there are general symptoms that apply immediately to all diseases taken together, but still remember the main symptoms of cancer in order to see a doctor in time.

• Rapid Weight Loss - Almost all people diagnosed with cancer have lost most of their weight during the illness. If you lose at least 5-7 kilograms for no apparent reason, you need to be checked in the hospital for cancer. It may be related to gastrointestinal cancer.


• Fever (high temperature) - A high temperature indicates the presence of cancer, especially if it affects entire organ systems. Basically, fever is due to the fact that cancer negatively affects the immune system, and the body fights infection and activates its forces, unfortunately, without success. But the temperature does not appear at the initial stage of cancer, so if there were no other symptoms before the temperature, this may not apply to cancer.


• Weakness - weakness increases gradually, when the disease penetrates deep into the body. But fatigue can also develop at the very beginning after the body is damaged, for example, if there is a hemorrhage in the stomach or large intestine. Due to blood loss severe fatigue and discomfort within the body.


• Pain - pain appears in the initial stages of the disease, if there are several tumors in the body. Often, pain indicates damage to the entire body system.


• Changes in the epidermis - hyperpigmentation occurs, jaundice, erythema, urticaria and so on appear. Tumors may appear on the skin and hair may grow stronger, which indicates the presence of cancer.

Seven symptoms of cancer that need attention

Above we have listed the main non-specific symptoms, but you need to know the main symptoms with which you can determine the presence of the disease. Immediately it is worth mentioning that the symptoms are not found in all cases, moreover, they are common to other diseases. But still, you need to immediately contact a therapist and tell about all the symptoms so that he can prescribe tests and complete medical examination organism.

• Violations in the genitourinary system and stool disorders - chronic constipation or diarrhea often occurs, the amount of feces and its color may change, which indicates colon cancer. If you experience pain when urinating and you see blood in your urine, you should see your doctor right away. Often there is too frequent urge to urinate for no apparent reason, which indicates problems with the prostate gland.


• Ulcers and wounds do not go away for a long time - very often tumors look like an ulcer, and at the same time they bleed heavily. If there is a small sore in the mouth that does not go away all the time, this is a sign of mouth cancer. It occurs most often in smokers and alcoholics. If there are sores on the vagina or penis, you should immediately undergo an examination, as this indicates a serious infection of the body.


• Strange discharge of pus or blood - if the disease developed a very long time ago and you did not notice it, strange bleeding or discharge of pus may begin. For example, if you cough up pus with blood when coughing, this is lung cancer, and if blood is found in the stool, then this is colon cancer. If cervical cancer is present, there is a chance of bleeding from the vagina, and if blood appears in the urine, it is cancer Bladder Perhaps the kidneys are also infected. If blood comes out of the nipple, it indicates breast cancer.


• Small lumps in any part of the body - if the tumor is palpable through the skin in the testicles, breast and other soft tissues, this indicates the presence of cancer. Moreover, it is impossible to say for sure whether this is the initial form or a neglected one, but if you notice a seal, immediately inform the doctor. Over time, it will increase.


• Difficulty swallowing and problems with the gastrointestinal tract - very often the symptoms indicate cancer of the stomach or intestines, consult a doctor immediately.


• The appearance of moles or warts - if there were already moles, and they became larger or changed color, you need to see a doctor. It is quite possible that this is melanoma, and if examined, it can be cured at the initial stage.


• hoarse voice or coughing- a constant cough speaks of lung cancer, if the voice disappears - this is cancer of the thyroid gland or throat.

Atypical cancer symptoms

Far from the most common symptoms of cancer, which also indicate the development of the disease:

• The appearance of sores on the tongue and mouth;


• Changing the color of warts and moles, changing their size;


• Sore throat, severe and painful cough;


• Thickening and knots in the nipples, dense bumps in the testicles, mammary glands and other places;


• Pain when urinating;


• Strange discharge of pus and blood;


• Trouble swallowing and abdominal pain, especially in the elderly


• severe migraine;


• Sudden loss of appetite or weight;


• An increase or decrease in temperature for no reason indicates the presence of cancer;


• Persistent infection for no apparent reason;


• Violation of the cycle of menstruation;


• Tumors that do not respond to treatment;


• Redness of the lips and skin, yellowness in the eyes and on the skin;


• Strange swelling that has never appeared before;


• Bad breath.

But keep in mind that these symptoms indicate not only the presence of cancer, but also other diseases. In any case, you need to undergo a comprehensive medical examination and find out what the problem is.

Symptoms of cancer of different organs

• Stomach cancer

With stomach cancer, it is impossible to say exactly which symptoms prevail the most, since there are a lot of them. Very often doctors state chronic gastritis and other non-serious diseases, without doing serious examinations. They usually prescribe medications that do not cause even the slightest relief. But professionals can comprehensively analyze all the symptoms and identify the presence of cancer, the main system for detecting cancer was introduced by L. I. Savitsky. He compiled a list of mild symptoms and common symptoms for other illnesses that can help find out if a person has cancer tumor in the stomach or is a symptom that is not related to this disease.

Only when the cancer has gone deep and passed into the tissues of the body does a person appear severe symptoms: severe pain in the stomach, which are felt even in the back, increased weakness and unwillingness to do anything, a sharp weight loss over a long period. Doctors pay attention to the skin, it becomes very pale, and in some cases acquires an earthy hue. But at the initial stage, the skin color remains the same.

The main symptoms: retraction of the nipple and its compaction, bloody and incomprehensible discharge from the nipple. Very often, cancer is accompanied by pain, but in the presence of mastopathy, the pain appears and intensifies every day.

• Skin cancer

There are several forms: infiltrative, nodular and ulcerative. Squamous cell carcinoma develops very quickly, in order to identify it, doctors conduct a painless crossing of all nodules that have a pink or yellow color. The nodes may have translucent pearl-colored edges with the formation of pigmentation. Tumor formation gradually progresses, and very quickly. But there are forms of cancer that develop slowly, they can develop for years, and a person does not even know about their presence. Further, several nodules communicate with each other and form a dense and painful neoplasm, which has a dark color. It is at this stage that people go to the doctor.

• Rectal cancer

As in other cases, at the initial stage there are no symptoms of cancer, but the tumor continues to grow and after a while the intestinal lumen closes. There are painful sensations, since the feces cannot pass freely, this provokes the release of blood and pus. Over time, the feces become deformed and change their color, in medicine this is called a ribbon-like stool. Colon cancer has been compared to hemorrhoids, but with hemorrhoids, it appears at the end of a bowel movement, not at the beginning. In the future, there are frequent urge to defecate, frequent discharge of bloody-purulent masses that have a disgusting odor.

• Lungs' cancer

It all depends on where the tumor appeared. It can appear in the tissue of the lungs or in the bronchus, if a tumor appears in the bronchus, the person begins to cough daily. The cough is dry and painful, after a while there is sputum with blood. Periodically there is inflammation of the lungs, for example, pneumonia. Because of it, other symptoms appear: chest pain, a temperature of 40 degrees, pain in the head, weakness and inability to concentrate.
If the cancer is formed in the tissue of the lungs, then the disease will pass without any symptoms, which only complicates the situation, because the person does not undergo a medical examination. If you take an x-ray, you can identify the initial tumor.

• Uterine cancer

Mostly women complain of strange pains and regular bleeding even after menstruation. But these symptoms only indicate that the tumor is gradually disintegrating and the cancer is already in advanced form. The initial form of uterine cancer does not manifest itself in any way, so women are not examined. Leucorrhoea, an unpleasant watery or mucous discharge that is mixed with blood, also speaks of cancer. Often whites have a very unpleasant smell, but not in all cases, sometimes they do not smell of anything. In the presence of strange secretions, consult a doctor, it is quite possible that the cancer has not yet passed into a deep and advanced stage and there are chances for a cure.

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, it turns out, are comparable.

This is a very serious disease, 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.

1. 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.
2. 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 the 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. Often occurs under the condition of degeneration of moles in malignant neoplasms. The tumor may also look like a simple wart.

Related videos

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.

1. 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.

1. Endogenous - internal factors. These include:

• hereditary predisposition to degeneration and gene mutation of cells;
• decrease in the protective function of the body, malfunctions of the immune and hormonal systems;
• degeneration of birthmarks and nevi (moles);
• genetic predisposition;
• chronic skin diseases;
• age factor.

1. 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

initial stage 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 on 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!

Related videos

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.

Upon penetration into nerve cells pain syndrome occurs. 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:

It is considered one of the most dangerous types of skin cancer. It is characterized by rapid development and the ability to throw metastases into the lymph nodes, bone tissues and internal human organs. 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. Tumor growths originate in the upper layer of the skin.

Malignant cells are characterized by hyperchromatosis - increased pigmentation as a result of a violation metabolic processes 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:

The abnormal cells in this type of cancer are formed from melanocytes, the 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 shapes and 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

Related videos

Chapter 4

The element of water, the zone of creation, the cardinal cross. Ruler Moon, imprisoned Saturn, Jupiter and Neptune culminate, Mars in fall. Cancer Man.

"There is no bottom. They just don't let them go deeper." Stanislav Jerzy Lec
If the elements of fire, earth, and air can sometimes be seen in the character of a person in their pure form, then in relation to the elements of water, the situation is not so simple. About Cancer, we can say this: the more this sign is represented in the character of a person, the more he seeks to hide from your gaze behind his hard chitinous shell. The role of this shell can be played by a house, an apartment, an office (home Cancer), certain rigid limits of communication, beyond which he almost never goes, a manner of hypnotizing with a look in situations that are unpleasant for him, and in all cases impenetrable deep eyes in which the bottom is not felt.
These eyes could be called mysterious if they contained a mystery greater than any mystery. human soul, containing, as they say, the whole world. It doesn't (of course); however, Cancer embodies the principle of essential perception and transformation, and his eyes show that some (often very small) piece of his soul perceives the environment and transforms in accordance with the perceived, because to perceive means to change oneself. In Cancer (the zone of creation), the element of water is in its first manifestation, and its main goal is the essential perception of the world - the whole, and the subsequent essential change of oneself. However, in a real being there must be a certain stability, therefore the subconscious of a person with a strong influence of Cancer develops complex defense mechanisms that protect its owner from a significant part of the external environment, narrowing his perception and thereby ensuring the stability of the psyche. Changes in the psyche, the restructuring of subconscious programs are subjectively experienced deeply emotionally (in fact, deep emotions are precisely the signs of the restructuring of the psyche), so when Cancer, despite protective mechanisms, perceives something, he perceives emotionally, and what he perceived , after a while becomes his property, of course, in a form transformed and adapted to his psyche.

In the zone of creation, the elements are not yet aware of themselves, so Cancer, as a rule, does not formulate its task for itself in the way it is described above, and even more so, it never sets itself the goal of changing the world around it (this is how it differs from Scorpio). Nevertheless, in reality, according to the law of empathy, having essentially perceived something, he will not only change himself, but also leave his imprint on the perceived object - and in the case of strong Cancer, this indirect effect of it can be very significant.
Therefore, Cancers (like all water signs) are born psychologists. They have the ability to simply listen carefully to a person, and this is already a lot, even if Cancer does not say anything in conclusion: the problem may disappear or be resolved by itself simply as a result of telling about it to the understanding, non-judgmental, silently inspiring Cancer.

However, Cancer is not necessarily always silent; being a cardinal sign, he can even be overly fussy or talkative, but he always remains within his shell.
The fact is that one of his significant problems is the problem of emotional self-expression. It is connected with the fact that the programs of the subconscious, which protect it from the essential perception ("shell" of Cancer), at the same time do not give it the possibility of essential and emotional self-expression: the gateway does not let water in both directions.
At the same time, the expression of his essence and emotions is necessary not only for him, but for everyone else: there are not so many emotions released into the world, and a significant part of them are concentrated precisely in Cancers. The depth of perception of Cancer imposes on him the corresponding karmic obligations, which he rarely fulfills. He has an eternal temptation to hide in his shell, when necessary and when not necessary, or rather, when the situation needs to be perceived, but really does not want to. Cancer knows too well what delicious meat he has, and is not inclined to offer it to everyone he meets and crosses. On the other hand, blocking perception in responsible situations is one of the main karmic crimes, but if Aries is inattentive, and Gemini is superficial and may actually not be able to see something, and it will be forgiven them, then Raku will never: there are such depths where no one but him can see.

It should be emphasized that Cancer, representing the element of water in the zone of creation, is in fact not aware of its transforming power, does not seek to change the world; his karmic task is much more difficult: to change himself. Cancer is ruled by the Moon. Crayfish respect their mistress; so on the night of the full moon they crawl out onto the sandbar and greet her. The Moon moves through the Zodiac much faster than the other planets; therefore, Cancers are so changeable, but they fall into melancholy especially easily: the Moon controls the general background of the subconscious, and a slight sadness always reigns there, because human needs are never completely satisfied. On the other hand, having a strong subconscious, Cancer easily tunes in to the subconscious of others, which makes him an incomparable empath, but very insidious at the same time, because if something goes wrong, he instantly hides in his shell and pretends that there was no intimate contact a second ago. it was, he had nothing to do with it, and in general he had just entered the room and had not yet had time to get to know you. The insidiousness of Cancer's subconscious for himself also lies in the fact that, by exposing powerful blocks on the surface and creating Cancer (and superficial observers) the illusion of invulnerability and non-susceptibility to other people's influences, it often leaves him completely defenseless against subtle and indirect influences, from which Cancer is very blocked. difficult.
At the same time, the Moon gives Cancer an incomparable empathic pleasure from meeting the needs of people close to him: Cancer loves to feed them, take care of them, fulfill desires and even whims. He can act as an excellent tempter and even a versatile black teacher.

The imprisonment of Saturn in Cancer also has a great influence on his subconscious. This is where his internal rigidity (that is, the rigidity of the subconscious programs) originates, often expressed in extreme and incomprehensible stubbornness for those around him for insignificant reasons (in fact, you just indirectly touched a very tough program of the subconscious). Saturn also gives Cancer a certain inner coldness and rigidity, which he needs simply as a protection for an overly impressionable psyche. With regard to Saturn, the task of Cancer is very difficult: he needs to bring this rigidity into consciousness, realize its function and turn stubbornness into perseverance. Only then can the wisdom of Saturn manifest itself; otherwise, the depth of Cancer will remain emotionally unconscious and will not be able to be realized in constructive work. On the other hand, even undeveloped Saturn provides Cancer with a certain stability, outwardly expressed in stubbornness. The author is not going to describe the difference between the lunar melancholy of Cancer and Saturn, leaving this to psychological astrology.
Due to the imprisonment of Saturn, Cancer is subconsciously deeply attached to the roots, the past - personal and historical; accordingly, he prefers to complete or rebuild the programs of the subconscious, rather than destroy and create new ones. Jupiter's climax in Cancer presents the evolved Cancer in a completely different light.

Having understood himself, having comprehended the essentially world, Cancer realizes his highest mission and begins to create a religious and philosophical doctrine of an existential plan, to lead a group of students, teaching them with all the intuitive knowledge of the secrets of the subconscious, which he has accumulated in the course of his spiritual advancement. In an undeveloped form, Jupiter gives Cancer a strong internal arrogance in relation to other signs that are not as deep and intuitive as himself.
The culmination of Neptune in Cancer also gives a kind of spiritual teacher, more mystical than the Jupiterian. The highest octave of Cancer is given a mystical sensation of the Universe in the very depths of the human soul (the identity of Atman and Brahman) and cosmic love for humanity, perceived as part of itself. Such a spiritual teacher is more inward-looking than a Jovian one. For the average Cancer, the culmination of Neptune gives a tendency to deception and self-deception, a distortion of perception, expression, and difficulties in communicating with one's own subconscious.
The fall of Mars in Cancer does not mean the weakness of this sign. It is rather a tendency to indirect actions, indirect impact on the object. Deep emotionality and at the same time tightness of Cancer does not allow direct manifestation of the energy of Mars. In a well-developed form, this is the most valuable quality of highly spiritual teachers who influence students with finely tuned subtle touches. In an undeveloped form, this is deceit, excessive emotionality and internal voluntarism, with which a person cannot and does not want to cope.

Cancer situation.
Water situations are the most difficult to describe; from the point of view of Aries or Gemini, they do not exist at all. A typical sign of the situation of Cancer is the feeling of a mystery, which those present have only just touched, and she herself still lies in an unknown depth. The Cancer situation is often accompanied by a sudden collective silence, sometimes followed by a group epiphany. These are moments when the collective suddenly deepens into itself, and its members feel a direct connection with each other and with something else, invisible and mysterious, which leads them to a common goal and which in this textbook is called the egregor of the collective. When the situation of Cancer ends, the collective feels more united or, on the contrary, disunited.
If an outsider is in a Cancer situation, he feels uncomfortable and obviously does not understand anything, although outwardly words and actions can be the most ordinary; but behind them is a meaning that is understandable only to the collective, and even then not completely.

In the harmonious situation of Cancer, it is warm and cozy, they can even feed deliciously (family dinner or advice), but it is necessarily filled with inner meaning, a super-task, which is closely related to a certain impact on the team or on its individual members. A real family dinner is of great moral and educational value, even (and especially) if children are not poked for bad eating habits.
The disharmonious situation of Cancer may be outwardly calm, but some of its participants are affected by such a disharmonious flow that their feelings can be compared with the feelings of a person being interrogated (with a psychological connotation) in the secret police, in the hands of the mafia (she generally gravitates towards Cancer, so to speak , family) or even in a dungeon; but again, an external observer will not understand anything or will understand everything completely wrong.

Harmonious Cancer.
First of all, this is a very sincere Cancer. As soon as he looks at you carefully (and he usually looks carefully), you get the feeling that he saw through and through you, understood everything and forgave everything.
Harmonious Cancer creates an incomparable spiritual comfort for those around him, which is caused by his empathic empathy. Moreover, a person in the presence of harmonious Cancer begins to feel emotionally deeper, softer and more meaningful, which is especially appreciated by male signs. This ability of harmonious Cancer is given to him from birth and does not require any effort from him, so usually he is not inclined to highly appreciate it, but he feels it as a powerful weapon: as soon as he hides in his shell and deprives you of his magical attention, you immediately it is done very badly (especially if you are used to it) and you are ready for anything to get it back; therefore, all Cancers are instinctive manipulators, at least subconsciously; however, it is difficult to bring them to clean water.
Harmonious Cancer has a huge attractive force, which in magnitude can only be compared with its passivity. The more harmonious he is, the lazier he shows his emotions, thereby not fulfilling his karmic program. However, it is very difficult to convince him to behave differently: he is unlikely to consider (any!) your considerations deep enough (for himself) ...
Harmonious Cancer easily endures any life's hardships: his ability to self-heal spiritual wounds is unparalleled, and this, in an undeveloped version, makes him an incomparable egoist; in a developed version, he extends this skill to others.

Affected Cancer.
The depth in the eyes of the stricken Cancer is seductive and insidious; it can mean abysses of temptation, fall and vice, as well as baseness and deceit. Rare Cancer is fully aware of the power of his influence on others, but what the affected Cancer is aware of is enough to make him a good black teacher. The danger for the affected Cancer lies in the fact that the lower programs of the subconscious, imperceptibly for his consciousness, begin to influence his perceptions and actions, and sometimes completely take power over him; this means that his soul flew away, and he himself became a puppet of a rather low egregor.
All Cancers are prone to self-deception; affected - ten times. Therefore, the main karmic task of the affected Cancer is to understand oneself, one's ethics and subconscious programs, and cultivate inner honesty. These two tasks are solved gradually and necessarily in parallel. Being a cardinal sign, Cancer is quite decisive, and this circumstance greatly interferes with the affected Cancer, because its tasks are subtle, and abrupt actions are contraindicated here; but they help him in black teaching, when he enslaves other people's souls, seduces them and starts them on the path of vice, into the realm of lower astral entities and unclouded egoism.
Especially dangerous for the affected Cancer is the tendency and natural ability to feed on other people's negative emotions - pain, fear, humiliation, despair, etc. This path can take him very far; however, a positive study gives the affected Cancer the possibility of a very subtle perception of the hell that reigns in someone else's soul, and constructive help to those who already seem to be hopeless.

Planets in Cancer
Cancer without planets
Superficial Cancer.
A person who has no planets in Cancer and the Moon is not aspected will not have a great depth of essential perception and deep emotionality. On the other hand, he will not have the characteristic hard shell that blocks him from any unwanted influences.

Sun in Cancer
Consistent Cancer.
The Sun in Cancer signifies a karmic program that is very difficult for the average Westerner to understand, who grew up in a twin civilization near university towns and other hotbeds of materialism. Whatever the solar Cancer does, the hand of fate persistently directs his attention inside himself, and his subconscious mind just as persistently tries to push the consciousness aside and take possession of his will. Whatever profession he chooses, he must perceive the subject with his whole being, fill it with it to the depths of his soul - only then will he receive satisfaction from work and be able to do something; the criterion for the quality of work for him is his own essential changes: in the constructive version, he grows spiritually, his consciousness and perception expand, in the non-constructive version, his shell increases and petrifies. The Sun sharply increases the responsibility of Cancer for its destiny, accentuates its negative tendencies (they sometimes turn on as if against its will) and makes it difficult for any external activity, scattering attention and switching it to the inner life.
Only when Cancer resolves a part of its internal problems determined by karma, the Sun will give it the opportunity to work relatively constructively in the outside world. The individual will is ill-equipped to deal with its own inner mysteries and problems, so this is a difficult aspect.

Moon in Cancer
Home Cancer
The Moon in Cancer is an ideal aspect for your wife if you are tired of the problems of spiritual growth and want to relax in the family after the labors of the righteous. This is a person whose intuitive depth seems endless - until you feel its complete unconstructiveness. Lunar Cancer envelops you in a warm cloud of sympathy and understanding, in which you warm up and soon begin to suffocate, because this is still not enough: you really need not so much to be accepted by others as to find a way and change so that you yourself accept yourself. The lunar Cancer itself is all right with this, even if it really was worth changing something; but with internal honesty there are big problems, especially when defeated. In a harmonious version, no one will raise a hand or voice at this person, who literally radiates warmth, peace and tranquility, although outwardly he can be somewhat fussy (this is how a big and kind chicken fusses around her chickens).
Internal passivity is the main enemy of lunar Cancer, and superficial activity, as a rule, is not constructive and serves as a screen. The fundamental programs of the subconscious (the instinct of life, family preservation, nutrition, etc.) are especially strong here, trying to come to the fore and replace the more subtle programs of spiritual growth.

Mercury in Cancer
Verbal Cancer.
Mercury makes Cancer receptive to words and signs in general, symbolic systems in which Mercurial Cancer can see great depth and meaning; good for archeological historians deciphering ancient texts in unknown languages. Mercury also makes it easier for Cancer to express his deep feelings, helping him to create a more or less adequate language for this; the degree of its comprehensibility and importance for others and humanity as a whole is determined by the aspects of Mercury and the level of elaboration of the aspect.
Great sensitivity to words, often a strong emotional reaction, with the defeat of significant distortions in the perception of verbal and symbolic information and the transfer of one's feelings in words.

Venus in Cancer
Sensual Cancer.
Venus makes Cancer especially sensitive to the charms of the opposite sex, although he does not at all seek to show this. A heightened intuitive sense of beauty, a tendency to perceive only what seems beautiful and block out everything else as too ugly. That rare case when beauty really ennobles the soul. The tendency to perceive the world through the eyes of an aesthete, which, with good study, gives talented musicians, artists and poets (writing musical poems); at a low level - the denial of most of reality and the environment under the pretext that they are ugly; when affected, sharp tastes, especially in music; from their favorite works, these people practically fall into a trance.
Sensuality is strong, but with a narrow circle of partners and with an undeveloped aspect only for oneself.

Mars in Cancer
Sensitive Cancer.
Mars accentuates the problem of self-expression of Cancer. In an undeveloped version, this aspect does not allow Mars to direct its energy outward: the hard shell of Cancer interferes, so that it remains inside, which makes Cancer overstressed and hypersensitive (in a negative sense) to influences environment, and sometimes the energy that breaks out comes on strong emotions and is disharmonious (for example, hysteria).
This position gives the opportunity and the karmic need for a lot of work on oneself and a strong ability to attract someone else's attention to oneself - harmonious or disharmonic, depending on the aspects of Mars and Cancer. Elaboration gives great power over people, influence directly through the psyche (psychotherapist, magician). The defeat of Mars accentuates the tendency of Cancer to the lower manifestations (especially deceit), but when worked out, it gives access to its higher octave.

Jupiter in Cancer
Shining Cancer.
Jupiter gives Cancer the wealth of spiritual life, and if he is not strongly affected, Cancer is inclined to share this wealth nobly (maybe a little condescendingly) with others. With harmonious aspects, emotional self-sufficiency, the correct feeling that there is always some new and interesting face will come and will adequately communicate with me, which is taken for granted (and not as a miracle, which is more correct) and, accordingly, is valued low, as a result, the value of communication is undermined over time. When well worked out, a harmonious Jupiterian Cancer can give a lot to a large number of people, if it accepts the principle of emotional asceticism (overcoming the temptation of the corresponding debauchery) and learns how to properly communicate with emotional and energy vampires.
In the afflicted version, the Jupiterian Cancer also attracts a large number of people, but adequate emotional and essential communication is difficult (for example, pride in one's depth and receptivity); the path of study is the shift of emphasis from the first to the second. Here the possibility of spiritual growth is greater than in the harmonious version (as, indeed, always).
With this aspect, the problem of self-expression is softened.

Saturn in Cancer
Crystallized Cancer.
Saturn puts a rigid framework for Cancer perception and especially self-expression, for the most part unconscious. In addition, it gives rigidity to many programs of the subconscious, especially those related to emotional manifestations. The lower octave of this aspect can give extraordinary cruelty and complete alienation from the victim, it seems to be in a different space and belongs to a different biological species. Here Saturn means the regression of emotional perception to the lowest primitive forms (sadism, etc.) and the crystallization of the corresponding programs of the subconscious, so that emotional development (not to mention the essential) is given with great difficulty.
On the other hand, a certain (violent) discipline that Saturn introduces into our intimate spheres of emotional and essential life gives at least the absence of many temptations, and with proper humility and careful study, a very serious and deep person is obtained who sees much and can express in a few precise words the subtle truth about the depths of the human soul. Working through here includes the removal (by awareness) of perception clamps, the awareness of karmic prohibitions on some emotional joys (such prohibitions will definitely be) and subsequent humility (and not the search for compensation: Saturn is not Jupiter, he loves hard work and humility, and undeserved luck can not be counted on here).
Ignoring Saturn in this aspect leads to violent attempts emotional life, which soon becomes extremely depleted in assortment and becomes very chaotic for the owner of the aspect (that is, his emotional channel takes control of a hard egregore). A person crystallizes and becomes an appendage of his emotions, which he does not own.

Chiron in Cancer
Materialized Cancer.
Chiron gives Cancer a ladder by which he can descend into his own depth without losing the ground under his feet. Chiron materializes many programs of the subconscious of Cancer and brings them into his consciousness - if Cancer is ready to perceive them. Chiron (in the developed version of the aspect) also gives Cancer the opportunity to understand the depths of his subconscious and understand which programs have already outlived themselves, which belong to the lower self, and which have just been created by the higher. Chiron facilitates the Cancer self-expression program, offering him unexpected ways for this, when deep essential and emotional experiences are hidden behind the outwardly material form. Everything seems to be as usual, but the effect of a miracle.
In the undeveloped version, Chiron, as it were, knocks on the consciousness of Cancer, creating various unthinkable situations (communications and others) for him, which should (as in Zen Buddhism) overturn his stamped perception programs, especially emotional and essential ones, and show him himself from the inside and completely differently. Chiron, at least, confuses, and how constructive this turns out to be depends on the person.
In the highest octave of this aspect, a person gets the opportunity to build his essence, deep programs of the subconscious with the participation of his mind and will, that is, to directly influence his spiritual growth (and, of course, the spiritual development of other people).

Uranus in Cancer (1948/49-1955/56)
Unconventional Cancer.
Having access to the depths of his subconscious, Cancer is closely connected (through the public subconscious) with tradition, history, and in this sense is conservative. The latter, however, does not apply to the generation of Uranus in Cancer. This generation tends to have original ideas about its destiny within the framework of history, to break traditions in their views on the essential aspects of life and the psychology of people. Fascination with existential religions (Zen Buddhism, Sufism, Rajneesh), especially with the idea of ​​sudden irrational enlightenment. These people raise group psychoanalysis to the heights - E. Berne's theory of interactions. New concepts of the historical process are possible.
AT individual map Uranus gives Cancer unexpected interweaving of deep programs of the subconscious, love for extravagant emotional relationships, the creation of a new morality intimate relationships(within the framework of the old it is closely), allowing a lot, in case of defeat to sexual perversions and collective sex. However, freedom of emotional and essential self-expression is not achieved by such simple means. When defeated - chaos in the inner life and emotions, which leads to chaos and external circumstances; sometimes bouts of genius, but not for long.
The highest octave - instantaneous mystical insights, when a person feels the unity of the depths of his "I" with the Absolute. Psychotherapists, psychologists, mystical or psychological poets, writers and artists, psychological astrologers (the whole chart should indicate this).

Neptune in Cancer (1901/2-1914/16)
Otherworldly Cancer.
Neptune, the planet of mysticism, feels good in Cancer, the sign of the depths of the subconscious. There, in the depths, in the darkness, there are those mysterious processes that can give a person the ability to perceive the subtlest vibrations of the Cosmos and make him a clairvoyant, spiritual teacher or prophet (which for the ancients was one and the same); but as soon as the inner emphasis is slightly shifted towards egoism, or at least personal inclusion, the lower programs of the subconscious drastically distort the whole picture, and Neptune is realized in all the power of its lower octave as a planet of deception and self-deception, very subtle information, (quasi) mystical revelations, the words of the High (and Average) Teachers, received (it seems) first-hand, in a dream or in meditation, I really don’t want to question it, but, alas, they also go through the filters of the subconscious, which gives its tips and distortions in accordance with the nature of the person. The manifested aspect of Neptune in Cancer gives in the individual chart mediumship the subtlety of deep programs of the subconscious, attunement to the supernatural, a miracle; the ability to absolutely ignore the reality of what is contrary to the essential picture of the world (that is, deep convictions), according to the principle "at least a stake on your head", especially when Neptune is struck - a tasty morsel for lower astral entities, a victim of manipulators, demagogues, etc. or the man himself becomes a conductor of lower astral influences. Here the climax can only be worked out by very high souls.

Pluto in Cancer (1912/14-1937/39)
Magic Cancer.
Although Pluto rules Scorpio, that is, a water sign, Cancer is uncomfortable with him. Cardinal changes in the intimate depths of the soul will not please anyone, although sometimes they are necessary. Fortunately, Pluto acts very subtly on an individual, so the influence on Cancer apparently affects the transformations of the social subconscious more, but this is not included in the topic of the textbook; I will only note that the depth of the transformation of the collective human subconscious, caused by the two world wars unleashed during the last stay of Pluto in Cancer, is still completely underestimated.
AT individual horoscope the manifested aspect means a huge hidden regenerative force, the desire for psychological power over people, in a higher version - over oneself. Dictators, magicians, saints.

Additionally:
Main

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.

Such a high mortality rate from lung cancer is due to the fact that most often the diagnosis is made in the late stages of the disease 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 an aging population (and today in many European countries the number of older people is higher than the number of young people), the incidence of cancer is also increasing.

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. The lungs occupy 80% of the 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 pleura, which is a separate body protecting 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).

Root of the lung - anatomical structures that connect the lung to the mediastinum.

The root of the lung is formed:

• main bronchus;
• pulmonary arteries and veins;
• bronchial arteries and veins;
• lymphatic vessels and nodes.

The root is surrounded by connective tissue and covered with pleura.

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.

The lower mediastinum includes:

• 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. How denser than fabric, organs or fluid, the more white they appear on radiographs.

Plain chest x-ray shows:

• 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).

lung fields on radiographs, they are normally black due to filling with air. The lung fields are structural due to the pulmonary pattern (vessels, interstitial or connective tissue).

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 the 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:

1. 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)
2. 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.
3. Mixed.

Depending on the shadow density distinguish:

• low-intensity shadows (lighter, "fresh"),
• shadows of medium intensity;
• intense shadows (fibrous tissue);
• calcifications (look like bone tissue).

Radiation anatomy of lung cancer

Radiation diagnostics lung cancer is of great importance in the 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 D).

BUT
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 and other organs.

Types of lung cancer depending on the type of cancer cells

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 and 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, the boundaries of the neoplasm are indistinct.

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 4000 chemical substances including carcinogens. As the number of cigarettes smoked per day increases, the risk of lung cancer increases exponentially.
  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 negatively affects the villi of the bronchi and upper respiratory tract, which normally contribute to the 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 the villi of the bronchi, the only way to remove sputum is to cough, which is why smokers constantly cough.
• Decreased oxygen saturation
  Insufficient oxygen saturation of the cells and tissues of the body, as well as toxic effect 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 manifests itself with little physical exertion: 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, profuse discharge of foamy or jelly-like sputum is possible, in rare cases, profuse bleeding, which can lead to a rapid death of the patient.	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, disorders nervous system and others.	Intoxication due to the collapse of lung tissue, metastasis.

Stages and types of lung cancer

Depending on the anatomical location:

1. Central cancer characterized by a tumor in the epithelium of the main bronchi.
2. peripheral cancer affects the smaller bronchi and alveoli.
3. Mediastinal cancer characterized by metastasis to the intrathoracic lymph nodes, while the primary tumor is not detected.
4. Disseminated cancer lungs is manifested by the presence of multiple small cancerous foci.

Stages of lung cancer

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

1. 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.
   Advantages:
   • 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.
   Flaws:
   • 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.
2. 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.).
   Indications:
   • 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.


3. CT scan(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.
   Indications for MRI:
   • 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.
   Disadvantages of MRI:
   • 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.
   Ultrasound in the diagnosis of lung cancer (ultrasound) is an ineffective, but safe method of research in lung cancer.

   Indications:

   • determination of the presence of fluid or gases in the pleural cavity, enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes;
   • detection of metastases in the organs of the abdominal cavity and small pelvis, kidneys and adrenal glands.
4. Bronchoscopy

   This is an invasive method for examining the airways using a bronchoscope.

   Advantages:

   • detection of a tumor, inflammatory processes and foreign bodies in the bronchi;
   • the possibility of taking a biopsy of the tumor.
   Flaws:
   • invasiveness and discomfort during the procedure.
   Indications:
   • 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.

Flaws:

• low specificity;
• insufficient sensitivity.

Major tumor markers for lung cancer:

• 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.

Main treatment methods lung cancer are:

1. chemotherapy;
2. radiation therapy;
3. surgery;
4. ethnoscience.

The choice of tactics of examination, diagnosis and treatment, as well as the therapy itself, are carried out under the supervision of an oncologist. The effectiveness of cancer treatment also largely depends on the psycho-emotional mood of a person, faith in recovery, and support from loved ones.

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy (CT) is a common treatment for 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.

When appointed:

• 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.

The effectiveness of chemotherapy:
In combination with radiation therapy or surgery - a five-year survival rate for stage I is up to 65%, for stage II - up to 40%, for stage III - up to 25%, for stage IV - up to 2%.

Radiotherapy (radiotherapy)

Radiation therapy- a method of treating cancerous neoplasms, which 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.

Types of radiation therapy:

Video of using CyberKnife for lung cancer:


Main possible side effects from radiation therapy:

• 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 treatment for cancer. 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:

1. Advanced forms of lung cancer.
2. 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.

By removing only the visible tumor, there is a risk of cancer cells remaining in the surrounding tissues, which can lead to the spread and progression of the oncological process. Therefore, surgeons during the operation remove part of the surrounding tissues of the organ, lymphatic vessels and regional lymph nodes (lymphadenectomy), due to which the radicalness of this method is achieved.

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 choice of the type of operation by surgeons is most often carried out directly during the operation.

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%.

The effectiveness of complex therapy(surgery +/or chemotherapy +/or radiotherapy). On average, 40% of patients are completely cured of lung cancer. Five-year survival rate at stage I is up to 80%, at stage II - up to 40%, at stage III - up to 20%, at stage IV - up to 2%.
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 symptoms but does not cure the disease (drugs 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 the treatment folk methods not 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 a palliative care for the patient.
• As in traditional medicine, treatment regimens with traditional methods depend on the form, localization, type, stage and prevalence of the cancer process.

Used in the treatment of lung cancer:

• Herbal decoctions and tinctures (mostly poisonous plants are used).
• Applications of herbal tinctures, healing stones.
• Energy medicine.
• Special diets and exercises.

Fly agaric decoction. Crush fly agaric (250 mg) with roots into a container, add 250 ml of vodka, leave for 5 days. After - strain. Pour the rest of the mushrooms with three liters of boiling water and leave in a warm place for 9 days. Take daily 30 minutes before breakfast, 100 ml.

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:

1. Healthy lifestyle
   • Stop smoking cigarettes.
   • Protection against passive smoking.
   • Refusal or moderate consumption of alcohol.
   • Refusal to use drugs.
   • Mobile lifestyle.
   • healthy eating.
   • Fight against excess body weight.
   • Refusal to accept any medicines 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.
2. Society's fight against environmental pollution.
3. Personal respiratory protection in hazardous industries.
4. 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.
5. Timely and regular medical examination.

Be healthy!

What does cancer look like? What he really is? These and many other questions are asked not only by those who are already sick, but also by those who are terrible disease did not touch. Let's consider everything in order.

Cancer is a multi-stage disease that is not easy to detect due to typical symptoms and signs. It should not be forgotten that many types of tumors cannot be recognized visually. Internal oncological diseases can be detected by laboratory tests, namely cytological (cellular) and histological (tissue) analyzes. But the process of development of malignant tumors can be indicated by individual visible signs of a state of health.

A cancerous tumor compresses nearby organs, blood vessels and nerves, and is also able to move to other tissues as it develops. Some types of cancer have clear characteristics and images through which an accurate diagnosis can be made.

Today, more than 100 types of cancer are known. All of them are associated with a specific organ or tissue. They are distinguished based on the type of cancer cells.

Types of cancerous tumors:

• Carcinoma;
• Sarcoma;
• Leukemia;
• Lymphomas and;
• Cancer of the brain and spinal cord.

One of the most common oncological diseases is. It is formed in the epithelial cells that cover the surface of the body and internal organs. This ailment Today it ranks second after cardiovascular diseases.

Leading clinics in Israel

There are the following types of carcinoma:

• Deterioration of well-being, namely weight loss caused by a decrease in appetite, weakness;
• Reduced performance;
• Anemia causing dizziness, fainting and general malaise;
• Decrease in the body's resistance to infections, that is, a decrease in immunity as a result of the progression of a cancerous tumor;
• Increased sweating, which can lead to dehydration;
• Discoloration of the skin: yellowing, darkening or redness, ulceration;
• Persistent unexplained fevers;
• Frequent rises in body temperature;
• unexplained bleeding or bruising;
• Pain, often appearing in the last stages of the disease.

* Having received data on the patient's disease, a clinic representative will be able to calculate the exact price for treatment.

Video: What cancer looks like

Organs affected by cancer are treated in a number of ways:

1. surgery. During surgery, the surgeon removes the cancer from the patient's body. This method is sufficient if an oncological tumor is detected.
2. radiation therapy, or irradiation. Radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
3. chemotherapy - effective way fight cancer. The drugs used inhibit the development of cancer cells.
4. immunotherapy – helps the immune system fight cancer. With this method, special vaccines are used that restore the protective ability of the body. This method can be used both independently and in conjunction with others.
5. Hormone therapy is a treatment that slows or stops the growth of breast and prostate cancer through the use of hormonal medicines.
6. Stem cell transplants are procedures that restore blood-forming stem cells in cancer patients.

Precision medicine is an approach to cancer that allows doctors to choose treatments that are most likely to help patients.

Some people with cancer will only have one type of treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have signs or symptoms that indicate cancer. If they are not, but you are concerned about your health, discuss your concerns with your doctor. Find out what tests and procedures you need to have.