Why is Cancer So Difficult to Treat and Cure?
Cancer is one of the most complex and multifaceted diseases, posing significant challenges to researchers, clinicians, and patients alike.
Despite decades of research and progress in cancer treatment, the disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with millions of new cases diagnosed each year.
Cancer is difficult to treat and cure for several reasons, such as its complexity, heterogeneity, and resistance to current therapies.
Understanding the Basics of Cancer
What is cancer?
Cancer is a complex and often misunderstood disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and invade surrounding tissues.
What Is Metastatic Cancer?
Cancer that spreads from where it started to a distant part of the body is called metastatic cancer.
For many types of cancer, it is also called stage IV (4) cancer. The process by which cancer cells spread to other parts of the body is called metastasis.
When observed under a microscope and tested in other ways, metastatic cancer cells have features like that of the primary cancer and not like the cells in the place where the metastatic cancer is found.
There are many types of cancer treatment. The types of treatment that you have will depend on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is.
Some people with cancer will have only one treatment.
But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. You may also have immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy.
Clinical trials might also be an option for you. Clinical trials are research studies that involve people. Understanding what they are and how they work can help you decide if taking part in a trial is a good option for you.
Coping with Cancer
You may have just learned that you have cancer. Or you may be in treatment, finishing treatment, or have a friend or family member with cancer.
Having cancer changes your life and the lives of those around you. The symptoms and side effects of the disease and its treatment may cause certain physical changes, but they can also affect the way you feel and how you live.
Just as cancer affects your physical health, it can bring up a wide range of emotions you’re not used to dealing with. It can also make existing feelings seem more intense.
Cancer Prognosis
If you have cancer, you may have questions about how serious your cancer is and your chances of survival. The estimate of how the disease will go for you is called prognosis.
It can be hard to understand what prognosis means and also hard to talk about, even for doctors.
Many Factors Can Affect Your Prognosis
Some of the factors that affect prognosis include:
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