A malignant tumor denotes a group of diseased cells that are defined by one of three main characteristics, which include uncontrolled growth, metastasizing to other areas of the body, and invasion and damage of healthy cells. They are different from benign tumors, which do not spread or impact other areas of the body.
The Risk Factors and Causes of Malignant Tumors
The medical community has researched and debated the causes of malignant tumors for decades. Most tumors originate from environmental factors or hereditary genetic source. Common environmental risk factors cover tobacco, which actually is the primary cause of most lung tumors, poor diet, alcohol, bad exercise regimen, and chemical pollutants. A very small percentage of malignant tumors are found to be hereditary. As tumors may result to death, it is very important that we be aware of the possible signs and symptoms of tumors.
The Signs and Symptoms of Tumor
A malignant tumor can be found in a number of different ways. These will depend on the symptoms occurring during the growth of the tumor. Hereunder are the symptoms of tumor growth.
- Local symptoms-these include swelling, lumps, hemorrhaging, and acute pain occurring near the tumor itself are all the examples of local symptoms.
- Metastatic symptoms-the symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, an enlarged spleen, and an enlarged liver, which all are common metastatic symptoms, which can be present anywhere in human’s body if the tumor has already spread from its initial site.
- Systemic symptoms-these are actually a more genetic symptoms which may indicate a certain illness, though not always a malignant tumor. These may include weight loss because of poor appetite, excessive sweating, anemia, fatigue, and a host of other symptoms.
If a tumor has been suspected, a pathologist will carry out a biopsy on the cells so as to determine whether or not it is malignant. Medical professionals can carry out screening on a patient who has been suspected to have tumor so as to find out whether it is malignant or not. However, this process it not quite effective for all types. Screenings are also not quite effective with detecting rare types of malignant tumors.
The Treatments for Tumors
The most effective and appropriate course of treatment is determined by the location, size, and stage of the tumor as well as the patient’s overall health condition. Radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and hormone therapy are the most general chosen methods that are offered to patients diagnosed with tumor. Depending on the location, surgery is oftentimes the most effective choice so as to remove the tumor and prevent a recurrence. Some patients may even add some alternative therapies, such as natural remedies, dietary changes, massage, to the more traditional course of treatment.
The Prognosis
It is hard to predict patient’s prognosis. Most malignant tumors are taken into account to be fatal, which depends on the location, size, type, and the stage of tumor, the patient’s prognosis can be really varied. In most cases, early treatment and detection will help to improve the patient’s prognosis and prolong their life expectancy.
