The Mesothelioma SOS Glossary - Cancer

Cancer a class of diseases which is characterized by the uncontainable division of cells. Cancerous cells contain the ability to invade other tissues in the body, either by metastasis, or by direct invasion. Metastasis is a process which involves the transportation of cancerous cells to distant areas of the body, either through the lymphatic system or through the blood stream. Direct invasion of cancerous cells into adjacent tissues involves the increasing the mass of the primary tumor site. In developed countries, cancer is one of the most prominent causes of death. There are many different types of cancer, and the severity of symptoms typically depends on the location of the cancer and whether or not the cancer has spread into other regions of the body. Additionally, several different forms of cancer, including mesothelioma, are associated with exposure to different factors, including asbestos. Cancer is diagnosed by taking a small biopsy of the infected area, and is treated most commonly using chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. If cancer is left untreated, it can cause serious illness and death.