Cancer is a generic term used for the uncontrollable multiplication of cells in a particular part of the body. Sometimes referred to as malignant tumour or neoplasm, cancer is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. In 2020, it accounted for 10 million deaths worldwide, which means that one out of 6 deaths were caused by cancer. Receiving the news of your cancer diagnosis can leave you overwhelmed and stressed. Fortunately, not all cancers are aggressive and different types progress at a different rate. Also, thanks to the advancement in science and technology, most cancer can be easily treated with proper intervention. However, there are some malignancies that are extremely aggressive and carry life-threatening risks. We have elaborated on 4 such aggressive cancers with the help of an expert specializing in oncology treatment in India.

Lung cancer

Listed among the top 5 cancers in India, lung cancer is responsible for nearly one-quarter of all cancer-related deaths. The malignancy is believed to be triggered by genetic mutations in the DNA of the cells which compel them to multiply uncontrollably and at a faster pace than normal healthy cells. The survival rate of lung cancer in India is about 60 to 65 per cent, provided the cancer is localized. Cigarette smoking happens to be the greatest contributing factor, responsible for more than 80 per cent of the cases. In the majority of the cases, the cancer is diagnosed at a later stage, primarily owing to the fact that most patients do not experience any symptoms initially. Lung cancer is broadly classified into two types - small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment varies from patient to patient depending upon the grade and type of cancer. Common treatment modalities include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, all of which are offered at the best lung cancer hospital in Pune.

Colorectal cancer

Listed as the 5th leading cause of cancer-related deaths, colorectal cancer has an incidence rate of about 4.1 to 4.4 per 100000 males and 3.9 per 100000 females. Colorectal cancer is a collective term used for both colon and rectal cancer and involves the lower portion of the digestive tract. A person suffering from the condition may experience negligible or no symptoms at all. If the cancer is detected at an early stage it is much easier to treat the same. As per the best doctor in India, the survival rate of patients who are detected and treated early, is about 90 per cent however, if the patient is diagnosed late when cancer has reached an advanced stage, the survival rate is significantly low. Increase the tumour is very small in size it can be easily extracted using colonoscopy, however, larger tumours may call for the need of surgery, which is followed by therapeutic interventions like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting the female population in India, accounting for 14 per cent of all the reported cases. It is a result of abnormal changes in the DNA of the cells lining the breast lobules or ducts. Although many people believe that breast cancer specifically affects females it is pertinent to note that men, too, are susceptible to it. However, the incidence rate is significantly low, with males accounting for 1 per cent of the cases. Early treatment is the key to effective management of breast cancer and this is possible only if you conduct regular checkups at home and bring any problem to the notice of your doctor. Advanced breast cancer can be quite difficult to treat and is associated with increased complications. The breast cancer treatments may vary ranging from surgical interventions like mastectomy and lumpectomy to therapeutic interventions like radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy.

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is very rare in India, ranking 24th in terms of incidence but 18th in terms of mortality. Marked by symptoms like severe stomach pain, ascites, bleeding and blockage of the bile duct, it is marked by the abnormal growth of cells and tissues in the pancreas. The fact that there are no reliable screening modalities for detecting early-stage pancreatic cancer, is the reason why many patients are not able to opt for timely treatment. If you fall in the risk category it is very important to go for tests like MRI and ultrasound on regular basis to catch the early signs of cancer. Treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy or a combination of both. The latter may be given to reduce the size of the tumour in cases where it is not removable. Surgical cure is possible in less than 20% of the cases.

To know more about any of these cancers, consult Jupiter experts today.