Hello Hivers!
In the following post we will talk about the neoplasia & cancer - and start a new mini series! As an introduction to the topic, I will explain the basics of this disease group, the different terms and talk about the most common types of cancer and about different types of screening methods. Let’s go!
What is cancer?
Let’s start with “neoplasia” referring to a new reproduction of body tissue – this can be physiological or pathological. A tumor is in the broadest sense a swelling or simply a “mass”.
In the narrower sense, a tumour is understood to be a benign or malignant new formation (neoplasia) of body tissue, which is caused by a dysregulation of cell growth. Malignant tumors are also known colloquially as cancer.
First, what all types of cancer have in common is that they consist of at least 1 cell growing and reproducing itself more or less independently. As an organism that consists of different type of cells communicating and working together, a tumor cell can be imagined as one cell suddenly deciding to do their own thing regardless of the rest and the consequences - a maniac out of control! How do they become that? Mutations, mutations & mutations!
Depending on the attitude of those cells you decide between a benign tumor or malignant tumor – a benign tumor is characterized by displacing growth and a malignant tumour by invasive-destructing growth.
So, cancer can occur everywhere in the human body and depending on the original tissue of the cells, it has a different impact on the human body, the therapy options and prognosis as well as the malignancy.
Here is a short overview of the possible origin tissues and associated tumor:
| Origin Tissue | Benign Tumor | Malignant Tumor |
|---|---|---|
| Squamous epithelium | Papilloma | Squamous cell carcinoma |
| Glandular tissue | Adenoma | Adenocarcinoma |
| Squamous epithelium | Papilloma | Squamous cell carcinoma |
| Fibrocytes | Fibroma | Fibrosarcoma |
| Adipocytes | Lipoma | Liposarcoma |
| Osteblasts/-cytes | Osteoma | Osteosarcoma |
| Striated Muscle | Rhabdomyoma | Rhabdomyosarcoma |
| Smooth Muscle | Leiomyoma | Leiomyosarcoma |
| Lymphatic Tissue | - | Lymphoma |
| Melanocytes | Mole/Nevus | Melanoma |
Fibrocytes produce i.a. connecting tissue, Adipocytes i.a. store fat and osteoblasts produce bone tissue. Striated muscle cells can be found e.g. in your biceps and quads, while smooth muscle cells are located e.g. in your intestines. Melanocytes produce melanin, the color pigment of your skin.
Epidemiology, Prevention Measures & Screening Methods
Let us deal with how the most common types of cancer are being screened for in Germany.
Meanwhile the incidence of tobacco-associated cancers is increasing significantly in women, while significantly more men were affected in the past. Non-tobacco-associated tumors and tumors that are not triggered by sex hormones are roughly equally common in both sexes.
Colon Cancer
It is the second most common cancer in both sexes.
From the age of 50, an annual test for blood in the stool using the guaiac test / FOBT [fecal occult blood test] is carried out. False positive results are caused by meat consumption, GI bleeding and hemorrhoids, while false negative results are caused by vitamin C.
From the age of 55, a colonoscopy is performed once every 10 years (usually a total of 2 times) or, alternatively, FOBT every 2 years.
Prostate Cancer
This is the most common cancer in men, with only one in 33 men dying on average from the disease - i.e. prostate cancer is common but easily treatable.
From the age of 45, the medical history, inspection and palpation of the external genitals as well as a digital rectal examination with palpation of the regional lymph nodes take place once a year
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in men in Germany. Reason being is that there is no good screening methods – different studies right now are testing the CT [computer tomography scan] as a screening method for high-risk patients.
Cervical Cancer
From the age of 20, a gynaecological history and examination of the genital organs and PAP smear are carried out once a year. The PAP smear has been part of the statutory health insurance scheme since 1972, and since then the mortality rate for cervical cancer has decreased significantly.
In addition to screening, HPV [human papillomavirus] vaccination against HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 is recommended between the ages of 9 and 14 - at best, the vaccination is given before the first sexual intercourse. The HPV is an important risk factor!
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in women in Germany.
From the age of 30, the breast and the regional lymph nodes are scanned once a year. In addition, there are instructions for self-examination. Between 50 and 69 years of age, mammography is recommended every 2 years - however, only 55% of women take advantage of this offer.
The screening reduces the breast cancer mortality from 5 to 4 women per 1000. Disadvantages are often false positive results, which lead to a long period of uncertainty and fear.
Risk patients [e.g. with a positive family history] receive an ultrasound of the breast twice a year and a mammogram every year.
Skin Cancer
From the age of 35, an anamnesis is taken every 2 years and the entire surface of the skin is examined - the early detection of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and spinalioma (just different types of cancer originating from different cells of the skin) is in the aim.
At present, the screening does not seem to have reduced mortality from melanoma.
Checklist
By now ...
✅ you can differentiate between the terms cancer, tumor and neoplasia
✅ you know the difference between benign and malignant tumors
✅ you know which type of benign/malignant tumor develops from which type of cells/tissue
✅ you know about screening methods for the most common types of cancer
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See you soon!
Noogie 👨⚕
What's Next?
That was the headstart into the topic of cancer - In the next episode, we'll get to the bottom of the molecular and general causes of cancer, display the different stages of cancer growth and more - it's getting nerdy!
Disclaimer
The content shown here is no alternative to consulting a doctor – if you have any kind of health issues bothering you, firstly consider visiting a health-expert. This is just meant to feed your personal interests. All the information given are related to the German standards