Cancer Information

Cancer of pancreas is known as “Pancreatic Carcinoma”.

What are pancreas and what is its function?
Pancreas is a large organ that is located behind the stomach.

The function of the pancreas is to synthesize and release the enzymes into the lumen of the intestine for the absorption of food, mainly fats.

Pancreas releases some hormones by its specialized cells like alpha and beta cells.
Alpha cells of pancreas release glucagon and beta cells of the islets of langerhans of the pancreas release insulin.

These hormones are very essential for maintaining the blood glucose levels. Insulin and glucagon have opposite effects on the receptors.
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Some of the marine organisms possess the cytotoxic properties and those organisms containing the useful therapeutic activities and pharmacological actions are identified these biomedicinals are called as marine drugs. Continue reading →

One has to have a good idea of their body and must sense any change that occurs in the shape or size of the breast or any other malformations. So one has to get acquainted with their body.

A monthly self-examination, an annual check up by physician and periodic mammograms helps in early detection of the breast cancer. If breast cancer is detected in the early stages, it will increase the chance of successful treatment. If early signs are not spotted, the disease creeps up without our notice and can be diagnosed only when we feel the painful changes. Be vigilant.
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Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women living in the industrialized nations. In India the incidence of breast cancer has been rising steadily. Although we are employing chemotherapy to increase the survival rates, we are facing challenges in detecting them earlier. If we can detect the cancer in the early stages, we can prevent it. Continue reading →

The specially synthesized biodegradable nanoparticles have the potential to deliver the therapeutic agents to silence the cancer genes whereas the drugs act directly on the cancer cells and attack them. But the nanoparticles while carrying the drugs to specific target sites are associated with common drug toxicity. To overcome this problem of drug toxicity, a team of scientists of the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) led by its director, has designed and synthesized orally deliverable, biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles to deliver the small molecules and nucleic acids that includes both DNA and small RNA. Continue reading →

Mesothelioma is a type of malignant cancer that is caused due to inhalation of the asbestos, which is a toxic chemical usually found in the building materials. The tumor of the mesothelioma grows on the pleura of the lungs and cause respiratory problems. Pleura is the lining of the lungs used for the protection of the lungs. The tumor is also found grown in other places like lining of the abdomen, lining of the testicles and lining of the heart. In most of the cases, the pleura is affected.

What is pleura? What is their role in the functioning of the lungs?
Pleura is the lining of the lungs and are present as two layers. The outer layer is called as the parietal pleura and the inner lining is called as the visceral pleura. Both these layers are separated by a little amount of the fluid that keeps the pleural membrane moist and serves for protection. The pleura are thin and are helpful in the contraction and expansion of the lungs.

When the person gets affected with the mesothelioma, the pleura becomes thickened or hard and he feels the difficulty in breathing due to inability of the lungs to expand and contract properly. Continue reading →

Oncogenesis is a process that involves the transformation of normal cells into Cancer cells.
Abnormalities of tumor suppressor/inducer genes:
Several proteins like p53 proteins are produced within the cells, whose function is to limit the cell division and to regulate certain parts of the cell cycle. The genes that code for these proteins are known as anti-oncogenes as they suppress the cell growth. The failure of anti-oncogenes leads to unregulated cellular division, which is the main characteristic of the Cancer cells.
Other groups of genes like proto-oncogenes are also present, which produce proteins and other substances that enhance cellular growth and proliferation. Excessive activity of these genes causes excessive cellular division and growth. Lack of regulation of these genes also results in abnormal growth of cell division and its growth.

Cancer is caused as a result of environmental factors and genetic factors.
Cancer is mostly due to environmental carcinogens but genetic factors may also be the reason in certain cases.
The environmental factors like consumption of tobacco, poor diet, obesity, radiation, infection, lack of physical activity and environmental pollutants alter the genetic material of the cells.
Cell reproduction is a complex process, regulated by several classes of genes like oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Alteration in these regulator genes leads to the development of Cancer. These may be hereditary or acquired abnormalities. Few Cancers are mainly hereditary.

What are carcinogens that cause mutation of DNA?
Carcinogens are the agents which can induce the formation of Cancer. The agents may be physical, chemical or biologic agents and are capable of inducing Cancer. These agents can damage the cellular DNA, either directly or by producing toxic intermediates such as free radicals. Certain viruses also act as oncogens. These viruses induce mutations in the host cell DNA or they may alter the rates of cellular transcription. Mutations of cellular DNA leads to the formation of cells with abnormal growth and differentiation characteristics.

List of Carcinogens:
Chemicals – Many chemicals like vinyl chloride, benzene, cigarette smoke, aromatic hydrocarbons etc.,
Radiation, radon gas, radioactive materials, ultraviolet radiation
Occupational exposure to certain metals in the industries – Asbestos, coal dust, uranium, solvents
Oncogenic viruses
Dietary factors- high fat diet, excessive intake of alcohol, nitrosamine preservatives, grilled or charred foods
Hormones – estrogens, progesterone

Oncogenic viruses in humans
Both the DNA and RNA viruses are found to be oncogenic in nature, which are capable of producing Cancer in human hosts, they infect.
Human Papillomavirus cause cervical carcinoma
Hepatitis B virus cause liver Cancer
Epstein-Barr virus cause Burkitt’s lymphoma and nasopharyngeal Cancer
HIV virus cause Kaposi’s sarcoma

Hereditary factors:
Some Cancers like colon Cancer, breast Cancer, retinoblastoma, leukemia and lymphoma are predisposed genetically. The present research is focused to identify certain genetic markers in individuals that are basis for development of certain types of Cancer.

Cachexia is a complex syndrome that is characterized by weight loss, anorexia and muscle wasting (lean body) seen in some patients suffering with Cancer and AIDS.The patients with cachexia exhibit a number of metabolic abnormalities which results in poor utilization of nutrients and overall malnutrition.

Key factor in cachexia is the production of cytokines like tumor necrosis factor and interleukins in response to presence of Cancer. Many cells produce these substances within the body and are protective against bacterial infections, viral infections and malignant cells. Although these substances are useful, they also produce effects of cachexia including anorexia and lean body wasting.

1. uncontrolled proliferation
2. dedifferentiation and loss of function
3. invasiveness
4. metastasis

How does a normal cell turn into a Cancer cell?
Genesis of Cancer cell:
A normal cell turns into a Cancer cell due to one or more mutations in the DNA, which may be inherited or acquired.

e.g. Breast Cancer: If a woman has a defective copy of either of the tumor suppressor genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, they have risk of developing breast Cancer.