C ancer is often mentioned as if it was a uniform concept. However, this uniformity depends on which characteristics that is considered. The more one takes an interest in the phenomen of cancer, the greater becomes one´s tendency to perceive the matter as a number of diseases. The common denominator consists of a haphazardous, uncontrolled growth of cells. Usually, cancer is considered a subgroup among tumours. A tumour does quite simply mean a growth, and tumours can be divided into benign and malignant tumours.

T he benign tumour has no roots and and does not spread. Many times does such a benign tumour lie sort of enclosed within a capsule. A cell sample may often be necesserary, to determine whether a tumour is benign or malignant (cancer).

W hen speaking of cancer in connection to radiation (most excellently high energic radiation types), a linear connection between dose and propensity for cancer, for higher radiation doses, is often pointed out. However, this relation assumes, practically, constant conditions. Other triggering factors may be chemicals, viruses, wearing, conditions of irritation, as well as immunologic or hormonal conditions. The different types of factors cooperates to a greater or smaller degree, most of the time, when cancer comes up and evolves. Germs do not cause cancer by themselves. This can be noticed in tuberculosis and syphilis. On the other hand do some conditions of irritation pave the way for cancer. Preventive health care additions recommended to prevent the origin of cancer, and perhaps counteract cancer, in a more generic sense, is selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B5 and B6, vitamin E, linseed oil, Q 10, and bio-flavonoids. Large additions of vitamin C may possibly obstruct the growth of a cancer tumour. Low-fat food reduces the risk of cancer in the intestines.

C ancer can evolve in all types of tissues, although certain forms of cancer are more common than others. Two of the most common forms are held as carcinome ( stemming from epithelial tissue), and sarcoma (stemming from connective tissue, bones or muscles), respectively. Originally did the technical concept of cancer only refer to the earlier form of malignant tumours (carcinome). Cancer, stemming from blood building organs, was referred to as leukaemia. Cancer in nerve tissue is referred to as gliome, ganglio-neuroma or neuroblastoma etc. Here, the division of malignant and benign are possibly more relative. Pigment cancer was called melanoma, now, its called malignant melanoma, in its malignant form.

A human cell harbours more than 40 000 genes in its core. Cancer stems from that some cells contain genes with defective DNA. Genes that display a great propensity for deviations in relation to what is common in connection to cancer is usually described as oncogenes. Some hundred oncogenes is to be found in humans. The oncogenes is, in their healthy condition, often part of the regulation system concerning the growth of the cell. They are mostly dominant as predispositions. Even so does cancer occur more rarely as an immediate result of a fault in only one oncogene, and more usually following a combination of defects in several genes, which is something that could include the defence against cancer, as well. In defence against cancer, the body has equipped the cells with so-called tumour suppressor genes. These may prevent a cell dichotomy, or force an apoptosis ( a programmed death of cells). There is also genes that serve as a base for the body´s ability to repair damaged DNA. In the extra cellular defence of the body, antibodies are used to recognize and constitute a marker of the destruction of cancer cells.

I t is possible to observe immediate differences between a cancer cell and its normal counterpart by microscope. The dissimilarities look different, depending on what kind of cell type that is concerned. A general observation that can be made goes for every group of cancer cells, which always lacks structure, in relation to a corresponding group of cells. Cancer may, by definition, change its nature with time, and turn into aggressive and infiltrative dissemination, after a phase of less fast and more defined growth. Infiltratively growing cancer may easily enter into lymph vessels or blood vessels, whereupon dissemination to other parts of the body may occur. Such, so-called, methastates constitutes a serious complication in the course of the disease, especially after passing the nearest lymph glands. The larger a tumour with cancer is, the larger the masses of cells involved in surrounding wanderings will be. This is why the probability for metastasis grows, the further the cancer has evolved.

A person who was struck by cancer in the stomach, cardia or intestines, with vomiting as a result, was “treated” with physical exercise and cold baths. Harsh wine, or other harsh drinks, was recommended for internal treatment, and cupping was recommended for external treatment.

B rain tumours, followed by palsies or headache, could sometimes make the doctor prescribe intake of beaver gill, a waxen, brittle substance, prepared through smoking and drying the beaver´s sexual glands. Another, more general remedy against cancer, was thought to be wine, which had been distilled, over and over again, the usual way, at first, and then kept in a special glass, whereupon the received liquid had pulled the strength out of some substance, such as blood, or some item of value, chosen for some specific healing quality. Arsenic was regarded as another, good remedy against cancer. It is not unlikely that this substance had its proper application in certain cases. Thus was skin tumours treated with arsenic powder to cause a wound to form, and a repulsion of the damaged flesh.

A lso, people tried early, even in the sixteenth century, to treat cancer surgically – an extremely difficult enterprise, considering the equipment of that time, which remained so well into the twentieth century, when required knowledge concerning the necessity of hygiene and blood groups was achieved. In connection to the discovery of radiant elements, a weapon in the struggle against cancer was gained before that. The use of cystostatics in the treatment of cancer patients was initiated in 1941. Cystostatics concentrate, as well as radio therapy, on the vulnerability bestowed upon the cancer cells through their intensified speed of division. A spin-off, especially with cystostatics, is that other tissue of rapid renewal, such as hair sacks, intestine cells, as well as several other parts of the body, suffer from the treatment. In 1953, the structure of the DNA molecule was set by James Watson and Francis Crick. Methods for transplantation of bone marrow ( in connection to leukaeemia) are developed during the sixties and the seventies. Gene therapy and a number of other treatment methods has been added, later on.

1. Wounds which does not heal as expected. Especially is hard-to-heal wounds in the oral region a warning signal.
2. Bumps that all of a sudden appear somewhere on the body.
3. Sudden, unexpected bleedings, or discharges from the body openings.
4. Changes in the appearance of old birthmarks or warts.
5. Lengthy problems with digestion may be caused by cancer.
6. Sudden disruptions in the function of the intestines.
7. Lengthy problems with hoarseness, colds, or difficulties with swallowing.

   Kåre Andersson