Cancers: types, risk factors and key features

The Cancer Diseases category provides a systematic and comprehensive guide to all major types of cancer, their characteristics, etiology, clinical presentation, and current approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Here you will find detailed material on carcinomas, sarcomas, hematologic malignancies, and rare neoplasias, structured by anatomic localization and histologic subtypes.

Basic classification of oncological diseases

• Carcinomas - origin from epithelial cells; most common: squamous cell and adenocarcinoma.
• Sarcomas - originate from mesenchymal tissues (bone, muscle, connective tissue).
• Haematological malignancies - cancer of the hematopoietic organs: leukemias, lymphomas, myeloma.
• Neuroendocrine tumors - originate from hormone-producing cells in various organs.
• Rare neoplasias - small cell cancers, malignant melanomas, gliomas, etc.

Main groups by location and features

1. Respiratory tract

Lung and laryngeal cancers are among the most common in this group:

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) - 80-85% of cases; subtypes: adenocarcinoma, squamous carcinoma.
• Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) - aggressive, rapid growth and early metastasis.
• Cancer of the larynx - squamous cell carcinomas associated with smoking and HPV.

2. Digestive tract

Diseases affecting the esophagus, stomach, intestines and liver:

• Esophageal carcinoma - squamous and adenocarcinoma; symptoms: dysphagia, pain on swallowing.
• Gastric carcinoma - related to H. pylori infection, diet and genetic factors.
• Colorectal carcinoma - often arises from adenomatous polyps; screening: colonoscopy.
• Hepatocellular carcinoma - in chronic hepatitis B/C and liver cirrhosis.

3. Reproductive system

Cancers in men and women with a focus on breast, prostate and genital organs:

• Breast cancer - hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive subtypes; screening: mammography.
• Prostate cancer - PSA marker, slowly progressing adenocarcinoma.
• Ovarian cancer - often late diagnosis; BRCA1/2 mutations as a risk factor.
• Cervical cancer - Papilloma virus etiology; prevention by HPV vaccination and Pap test.

4. Haematological cancers

Types of leukemias, lymphomas and multiple myeloma with different biology and therapeutic approaches:

• Acute leukemia - Blast cells in bone marrow; acute myeloid and lymphoblastic.
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) - slowly progressive, often in elderly patients.
• Hodgkin lymphoma - Classical Reed-Sternberg cell therapeutic response to combination regimens.
• Multiple myeloma - plasmacytic neoplasia with bone lesions and immune deficiency.

Risk factors and pathogenesis

External risk factors

• Smoking and passive exposure to smoke
• Alcohol - doses and frequency of consumption
• Diet and obesity - red meat, processed foods, low fibre intake
• Exposure to carcinogens - asbestos, ultraviolet radiation, fine particulate matter emissions

Internal risk factors

• Genetic mutations and family history (BRCA, Lynch, TP53)
• Hormonal imbalance - estrogen exposure in breast and endometrial cancer
• Chronic inflammation and viral infections - HPV, HBV, HCV, Helicobacter pylori
• Immunodeficiency - AIDS, immunosuppression after transplantation

Clinical picture and symptoms

Common symptoms

• Unexplained weight loss and appetite
• Prolonged fatigue and tiredness
• Pain that does not go away with painkillers
• Night sweats or fever
• Lymphadenopathy - swollen lymph nodes

Local symptoms by organ systems

• Breasts: lump, leakage from the nipple, changes in the contour of the man
• Respiratory system: cough over 3 weeks, haemoptysis, dyspnoea
• Digestive system: stool changes, abdominal pain, jaundice
• Nervous system: headache, focal neurological deficits, epileptic seizure
• Bone system: bone pain, pathological fractures

Preventive measures and screening

Screening programmes aim to detect cancer early, before symptoms appear:

• Mammography - annually or biannually for women over 40.
• Cytonase - every 3 years for women aged 21-65 years.
• Colonoscopy - at 50 years and repeated according to the results.
• Low-dose CT of the lungs - smokers and ex-smokers over 55.

The Cancer category is your one-stop guide to understanding cancer, from pathophysiology to current therapeutic options. Use these resources to stay informed and make the best decisions for your health and the care of loved ones.