Detection and treatment of cancer

Early detection of cancers is essential as it allows the disease to be treated successfully in many cases. Cancer detection is based on biopsy and histopathological studies of the tissue and blood and bone marrow tests for increased cell counts in the case of leukemias.

Biopsy ; In biopsy, a piece of suspected tissue cut into thin sections is stained and examined under microscope (histopathological studies) by a pathologist.

Techniques of detection

Techniques like radiography (use of X-rays), CT (computed tomography)

and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are very use full to detect cancer of the internal organs.

Computed tomography; This technique uses X-rays to generate a three dimensional image of the internals of an object.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); MRI uses strong magnetic fields and non-ionising radiations to detect accurately pathological and physiological changes in the living tissues.

Antibodies against cancer-specific antigens ara also used for detection of certain cancers. Techniques of molecular biology can be applied to detect genes in the individuals with inherited susceptibility to certain cancers. Identification of such genes, which predispose an individual to certain cancers, may very helpful in prevention of cancer. Such individuals may be advised to avoid exposure to certain carcinogens to which they are susceptible (e.g, tobacco in case of lung cancer).

Treatment of cancer

The common approaches for treatment of cancer are surgery, therapy and immunotherapy. Most cancers are treated by combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy

Tumor cells have been shown to avoid detection and destruction by immune system. Therefore, the patients are given substances called biological response modifiers such as alpha-interferon which activates their immune system and helps in destroying the tumor.