Foundation Sara - The Cancer

What is?

Cancer is the name given to a collection of more than 200 diseases that have in common the uncontrolled growth (tumor) cells that invade tissues and organs and can spread (metastasize) to other body regions.

Dividing rapidly, these cells become aggressive and uncontrollable, determining the formation of tumors (accumulation of cancer cells) or tumors (overgrowth of cells) malignancies. Moreover, a benign tumor simply means a localized mass of cells that multiply slowly and are similar to their original tissue, rarely life threatening.

The different types of cancer correspond to different types of body cells. For example, there are several types of skin cancer because the skin is formed by more than one cell type. If the cancer starts in the epithelial tissue such as skin or mucous membranes, it is called carcinoma; to get into tissues such as bone, muscle or cartilage, is calling sarcoma.

Other features that differentiate the types of cancer with each other is the speed of multiplication of cells and the ability to invade neighboring tissues and organs or distant (metastasis).

Symptoms

The cancer may show symptoms varied, because this is not a single disease. Many of its symptoms are common diseases simpler, so the appearance of one or more of them does not necessarily indicate a diagnosis of cancer.

The signs and symptoms that can diagnose persistent leukemia or lymphoma:

• Pallor (anemia);
• Red spots and dark skin (hematoma), which is not related to trauma;
• Daily persistent fever and no apparent infectious agent;
• Weight loss;
• Night sweats;
• Bone pain or persistent joint pain and no history of local trauma;
• Increased persistence, progressive and painless lymph nodes (lymph);
• Abdominal mass or soft tissue;
• Headaches and vomiting not associated with food.

Treatment

Cancer treatment can be done through surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation. In many cases, it is necessary to combine these modalities.

Leukemia and lymphoma have now a great chance of cure, because there are several types of treatment possible. And for that reason, if the diagnosis is confirmed, you must seek professional expertise to the patient can receive adequate care and has the best chance of cure.

How many children die each year?

According to data from the Ministry of Health, are recorded 7,100 new cases of cancer for children and youth per year.

AThe possibility of cure in children and adolescents reaches 70% when the case is diagnosed early and treated appropriately. The estimate is 3,800 deaths per year in the age group 0 to 18 years.