Cancer Facts

Cancer is not contagious and often occurs due to a mix of hereditary and environmental factors. More than 100 different types of cancer exist. Most cancers are named after the organ or type of cell in which they originate.

What are the origins of cancer?

All cancers originate from cells – the body’s basic units of life. The human body is composed of about 100 trillion cells. Cells keep the body healthy by growing, dividing, and producing new cells when the body needs them. Normally, when cells become old or damaged, they die and new cells replace them.

However, this process may be disrupted when cells divide and replicate uncontrollably, even if new cells are not needed by the body. This unnecessary cell growth may be the result of mutated or damaged genetic material, known as DNA. When this type of cell growth occurs, the result is an unneeded increase in the overall quantity of cells in the body. This increase in new cells can form a mass of tissue called a tumor. However, not all tumors are cancerous.

What are the types of tumors?

• Benign:
  These tumors are not cancerous and are rarely life-threatening. Often, they can be removed. After removal, regrowth of the tumors is atypical. Additionally, these cells do not spread to other parts of the body.
• Malignant:
  These tumors are cancerous. Malignant cells can attack nearby healthy tissues. These cells also have the ability to metastasize or spread to other parts of the body.

Some cancers do not form tumors. Leukemia, a cancer of the marrow and blood, is a common example of such a cancer.

Cancer in India
In India, the most prevalent types of cancer include:

• Cervical Cancer: Cancer that originates in the cervix, the lower part of the womb in a female’s reproductive system.
• Breast Cancer: Cancer that originates in the tissues of the breast.
• Oral Cancer: Cancer that originates in the lip or oral cavity.
• Lung Cancer: Cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs.
• Ovarian Cancer: Cancer that originates in the ovaries, the female reproductive organs that produce eggs.
• Esophageal Cancer: Cancer that originates in the esophagus, the muscular tube that moves substances, such as food and water, from the mouth to the stomach.
• Central Nervous System Cancers
  Cancers that originate in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.
• Lymphoma and Myeloma
  Cancers that originate in the cells of the immune system.
• Leukaemia
  Cancer that originate in blood forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood.

An estimated 100 out of 100,000 people are diagnosed each year with cancer in India.  However, the actual incidence rate may be higher due to under-reporting or inadequate screening. Raising awareness of cancer is part of AOI’s mission.

How to treat cancer?
In recent years, cancer treatment and therapies have progressed significantly. Countless patients have been cured, while others’ lives have been extended far longer than possible with these advanced treatment options. Common types of treatment for cancer include

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation Therapy
• Surgery

 Precision Cancer Care at American Oncology Institute
In recent years, cancer treatment and therapies have progressed significantly. Countless patients have been cured, while others’ lives have been extended far longer than possible with these advanced treatment options.

American Oncology Institute provides comprehensive cancer management powered by a multi-disciplinary team, clinical excellence, world class technology as well as international protocols. AOI stands at the forefront of treatment excellence offering precision cancer care for all types of cancers for all age groups and genders.