I’m educated enough to generally understand that cancer is the result of a gene mutation, which activates rapid cell reproduction, but what about this growing/spreading tumor makes it fatal? Why can’t we just periodically remove the tumor as it continues grow, thereby (almost) completely eliminating any possible death threat from cancer?
***EDIT: thanks for all the responses to my question! Some of them are really great, and perfectly answer my question. Frankly, I was not aware that cancerous cells and tumors have, in so many ways, “a mind of their own”.***
***I’m very lucky to have been of general good health my whole life, but the threat of cancer as I age scares the daylights outta me — it literally keeps me up at night, often. I’m slightly relieved to realize that so much is known about cancer and so many different treatment options exist, depending on the diagnosis and prognosis. And I recognize this wealth of knowledge, understanding, and treatment options is growing almost by the day with modern medicine — and this helps put me at ease a little too.***
***Here’s to ongoing good health for me and you…!***
In: 10
Cancer cells do not function as normal cells do anymore. They also can prevent proper functioning of organs when they become prevalent enough. For example, once enough lung tissue becomes cancer cells, your lungs stop functioning. They can also disrupt blood flow.
When you surgically removed cancer tissue, you also remove healthy tissue. There is only so much you can remove before the organ no longer functions. Maybe it’s a lung or kidney where you have two, but if the cancer cannot be fully removed, it will keep spreading. Some will eventually spread to other parts of the body. Organ failure isn’t uncommon with cancer.
Frequently, cancer is suspected due to disruption of normal body function. At times, the damage is so widespread by the time it is detected that it is going to be lethal anyway, but we are getting better at catching it earlier and treating it.
Latest Answers