Cancer is the abnormal, uncontrolled growth of a group of cells in the body. They grow uncontrollably to form abnormal localized lumps of tissue called tumours and wander from their original site to other organs of the body, starting fresh growths. Tumours which spread to other parts of the body are known as ‘malignant’ tumours, unlike the ‘benign’ ones which are rooted to their site of origin and are usually harmless.
Currently, there are three ways of treating cancer. First is the surgical removal of the original tumour and as many secondary tumours as possible. Radiation therapy is the second method whereby cancer cells are destroyed using ultra powerful gamma rays from radium. Some anti-cancer drugs are also available which can control cancer.
But most of ods, besides these meth-killing cancer cells can cause damage to the surrounding normal tissues producing serious side-effects. Recent advances in genetic research, however, offer promising new approaches to treat cancers.