Principles of Oncology

Cancer is a heterogeneous group of diseases caused by genetic damage that impairs normal gene function. Cancer cells (tumors/neoplasms) show uncontrolled growth, the ability to invade local tissue, and the ability to metastasize. Carcinogenesis is a multistage process: initiation (carcinogen causes genetic damage), promotion (preferential growth of mutated cells), and progression (proliferation, invasion, metastasis).

Cancer is the second leading cause of US death; the most common cancers are breast, prostate, and colorectal, while lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Malignant tumors include carcinomas (epithelial), sarcomas (connective tissue), lymphomas (lymphatic), and leukemias (blood-forming).

📖 “Cancer = genetic damage; cells show uncontrolled growth, invasion, metastasis. Carcinogenesis: initiation, promotion, progression. Second leading cause of US death; common: breast/prostate/colorectal; leading death: lung. Carcinomas (epithelial), sarcomas (connective), lymphomas, leukemias. Markers: CEA, AFP, PSA. Biopsy is definitive.”