Asbestos and Cancer

Cancer is a group of diseases in which the body produces an excess of malignant cells (also known as carcinogens, or cancer), with typical features of behavior and uncontrolled growth (growth and division beyond the normal limits, invasion of surrounding tissue and sometimes metastasis). Metastasis is characteristic of many cancers, is the propagation distance, primarily through blood or lymph cell cancer originating, and the growth of new tumors in locations such metastases.

These three properties (uncontrolled cell division, aberrant behavior and metastasis) differentiate malignant tumors (or cancer) from benign, which are limited and do not invade or metastasize. Most cancers form tumors, like leukemia but some do not.

Cancer can affect people of all ages, including fetuses, but the risk of the most common types increases with age. Cancer causes about 13% of all deaths. According to the American Cancer Society, 7.6 million people died of cancer in the world during 2007.

All cancers are caused by abnormalities in the genetic material of cells processed in this way. These abnormalities can be effects of carcinogens, such as radiation (ionizing, ultraviolet, etc.), chemicals (from industry, snuff smoke and pollution in general, etc.) or infectious agents. Other genetic abnormalities that can lead to cancer are acquired during normal DNA replication failing to correct the errors that occur during the same, or are inherited and therefore present in all cells from birth (causing a higher probability to trigger the disease). There are complex interactions between carcinogens and genetic material, which is one reason why some individuals develop cancer after exposure to carcinogens while others do not. New aspects of caionizing, ultraviolet methylation and microRNAs, recently being recognized and studied as important factors to consider for their involvement.

Genetic abnormalities found in cancer cells can be either point mutation, translocation, amplification, deletion, and profit / loss of an entire chromosome. There are genes that are more susceptible to mutations that trigger cancer. These genes, when in its normal state, are called protooncogenes, and when they are mutated are called oncogenes. What these genes often encode growth factor receptors, so that the genetic mutation causes the receptors produced, are permanently activated, or encode the growth factors themselves, and the mutation can cause the occurrence of growth factors excessive and uncontrolled.

Cancer is usually classified according to the tissue from which the cancerous cells originate, with the primary tumor and the normal cell type they most closely resemble. A definitive diagnosis usually requires histological examination, although early indications of cancer can be given after symptoms or radiographs. Many cancers can be treated and some cured, depending on the type, location and stage or stage where you are. Once detected, treated with the appropriate combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. According to some research and treatments specified by type of cancer and, recently, also the patient. There has also been significant progress in developing drugs that act specifically on molecular abnormalities in certain tumors and minimize damage to normal cells. The diagnosis of cancer in patients is mostly influenced by the type of cancer, as well as the stage or extent of disease (often in early stages is often confused with other local non-tumor pathologies if there are no adequate differential diagnosis). The histologic classification and the presence of specific molecular markers are also helpful in diagnosis and for determining individual treatments.