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SOLID TUMOR CANCERS

What are solid tumor cancers?

A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue with no liquid areas or cysts. Tumors that are malignant, or cancerous, contain abnormal cells which divide uncontrollably. They may metastasize through the blood stream and lymphatic system to other organs and tissues. Solid tumor cancers involve tissues, bones or organs like the lung, breast, prostate or colon. These malignant tumors can affect the way the body functions. Clinicians differentiate between solid tumor cancers and benign solid tumors, which are comprised of abnormal tissue masses with no cysts or liquid areas as well. Benign tumors can also grow, but they do not invade other organs and as a result, are usually less concerning.

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The major types of solid tumors are sarcomas and carcinomas. Sarcomas are found in blood vessels, bone, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and the lymphatic system. Carcinomas form in epithelial cells, including the skin, organ linings, and glands.

In the United States, cancer affects one in three people, according to the American Cancer Society. The most common type of cancer is breast cancer, and there are expected to be 284,200 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the U.S. in 2021, and at least 1,685,210 new cancer diagnoses of all types in this country.

Causes and symptoms of cancer

Cells can become cancerous when there are genetically altered. These alterations may be inherited or altered based on environmental factors or lifestyle behaviors. Lifestyle activities, like smoking, can result in toxins damaging a person’s DNA and causing the cells to become cancerous. Environmental factors like sun or radiation exposure can also cause cancer. In most cases, though, there’s no obvious cause. While many symptoms below can lead to a cancer diagnosis, these symptoms can be nonspecific and indicative of other health issues too:
  • Fatigue that doesn’t improve after resting
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Unexplained weight gain or loss
  • Abdominal pain or discomfort, nausea or vomiting
  • Swelling, a lump or thickening in part of the body; skin changes that don’t heal
  • Pain that doesn’t improve and with no known cause
  • Unresolved coughing or hoarseness
  • Bruising or bleeding with no known cause
  • Changes in the bladder or bowel, like passing blood or regular constipation or diarrhea
  • Mouth changes, e.g. bleeding, pain, soreness or numbness
  • Hearing or vision changes
  • Unexplained fever, night sweats or headache
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Cancer is not one disease, but many, and treatment depends on multiple factors. Clinicians determine the optimal treatment paradigm for solid tumor cancers based on factors like the cancer type, stage, grade, tumor size, and comorbidities.

The oncologists typically follow the treatment pathway designated by the medical institution or relies on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, which specifies the therapeutic interventions based on the patient’s specific circumstances.

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Treating solid tumor cancers

The solid tumor treatment options may include:

Surgery: Surgical intervention to debulk the tumor can occur at various points in the treatment process.

Chemotherapy: Toxins to eradicate the fast-growing cells may be administered via infusion or pill form.

Radiation therapy: High dose radiation beams can destroy cancer cells in focused areas.

Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substance types to identify and kill cancer cells.

Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy boosts a person’s natural immune system to identify and kill cancer cells.

Hormone therapy: When hormones are cancer growth drivers, hormone therapy can be recommended to slow or halt the cancer growth.

Solid tumor cancer treatment often involves several treatment modalities, concurrently or in a prescribed regimen. SRI scientists, working with Seraph Medical, can devise a unique treatment plan accounting for the individual’s situation. These treatments may go beyond the traditional ones offered by most medical practices. This is especially true for patients who are at later disease stages and have a higher risk of recurrence, or for those who are resistant to conventional anti-cancer treatments. Some patients who have run out of options with traditional approaches can take advantage of the Right to Try Act, which may allow terminally ill patients to use medications that are pending approval from the Federal Drug Administration. These patients and others may experience the benefits of a customized program created and administered by experts at Seraph Medical.