Is Cancer a Disease?

If you’re wondering is cancer a disease, then the short answer is yes. Cancer is a disease. But that is not the whole story. But first read our blog on what are cancer cells?

Is Cancer a Disease or is Many Different Diseases?

Cancer is not a single disease. You can say it is a type of disease. Just how asthma is a type of respiratory disease. In the case of cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer are considered two different subsets. These subsets also have their own branches that have specific cancer types. For example, Lung Cancer has two major types:

1. Small Cell Lung Cancer
2. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

However, even under non-small cell lunch cancer there are many subtypes (such as adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell (undifferentiated) carcinoma). In fact there are more than 150 types of cancer.

Can you have more than one cancer?

Yes. As cancer is a disease of extreme complexity, one person can even have multiple cancers. Cancers can occur at the same time or at different times. People with cancer increases the risk for a secondary cancer. Cancers and cancer spread may spread throughout the body which causes metastasis.

What is the Treatment for Cancer?

The treatment really depends on the type of cancer. As cancer is not a single disease the treatment depends on many factors. The most common is the cancer type such as: prostate cancer has different options than skin cancer. Different stages also change the way doctors treat cancer.

What are Cancer Cells?

Cancer cells are unhealthy cells which replicate causing cancer. Cancer cells are damaged cells which do not help the body’s functions and immune system. Cell growth of these bad cells over and over form a what is called a tumor.  Read our blog on cancer cells here.

References:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20370588
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer
• https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer