MALIGNANT TUMOURS

An Evaluation of Different Treatments for Malignant Tumours

An Evaluation of Different Treatments for Malignant Tumours

Introduction

One of the great achievements in the treatment of malignant tumours in children and adolescents is the multidisciplinary management with the participation of specialists in methods of diagnosis, surgery, clinicians including chemotherapy (anticancer drugs), and in radiotherapy. Joint action by specialists leads to better results. Each specific type of tumour receives a particular treatment regimen, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy in some cases. The paper discusses the various treatments for malignant tumours and evaluates their efficacy in cancer patients.

Malignant Tumour

Malignant tumour is a mutation, due to which cell division is not restricted; there is a violation of the natural mechanisms of cell death. In that situation, when a malignant tumour was not detected within body's immune system, there is an increase of the tumour with subsequent metastasis (Carter, Fowler, Carlson, et.al, 1993, p. 752). Their growth is possible in all parts of the body, but more often they hit the bone, brain, lungs and liver.

Diagnosis with the name of a malignant tumour is possible only on the basis of the histological studies of tissue samples in pathology laboratories. Once diagnosed by surgery and therapeutic treatment by chemicals and irradiation of the body (Sugarbaker, 1995, p. 235). Malignant tumours grow in the absence of treatment, and ultimately lead to the death of the patient. A large number of tumours can be cured, although the effectiveness and outcomes influenced by such characteristics as the type of tumour, the region of its localization in the body and the stage of development. Malignant tumour can occur at any age but is more common in older people. Malignant tumour occupies a leading position in the structure of mortality in developed countries. Among the factors that encourage the development of tumours may indicate adverse effects, such as various types of radiation, some viruses, smoking, and alcohol (Leake, Rader, & Woodruff, 1991, p.124).

Treatment of Malignant Tumours

Malignant tumour has its own stage of development. The tumour develops from itself through the reproduction of the primary germ cells, mostly due to propagation of one of the primary tumour cells. For some time the tumour is local and the process takes place in a hidden pre-clinical state. At this stage, surgery and radiation therapy leads to complete recovery. Only reaching a certain development, breaking the barrier of the local tissue, malignant tumour grows into the surrounding tissue, infiltrating and destroying them. At this stage of the tumour can be removed, but it does not always guarantee its cure, because it is difficult to determine the boundary of the tumour. Of the remaining cancer cells, even of single cancer will relapse. With further development unless they are treating cancer goes into a metastasis to other organs (Leake, Rader, & Woodruff, 1991, p. 30).

Malignant tumours affect people of all ages, but are much more common in the elderly. This is one of the major causes of death in developed ...