Basic Knowledge About Tumors

Basic Knowledge About Tumors


What Is a Tumor?

In the human body, normal cells divide in an orderly manner to perform their specific functions. When normal cells age or become damaged, they die, and new cells take their place. A tumor is not an external disease—it arises when the body’s own cells lose control over their growth. These cells grow uncontrollably and form new abnormal cells, squeezing out normal cells and disrupting the body’s regulation, which leads to disease. Tumors can develop in almost any part of the body. Broadly speaking, tumors are divided into benign and malignant types. However, in clinical practice, many people equate “tumor” with “malignant tumor,” which means cancer. Nowadays, an increasing number of cancer patients can be cured or achieve long-term control through treatment, allowing them to live a healthy life. Early detection of tumors is the key to successful treatment.


Basic Facts About Tumors

• Tumor Development and Metastasis
Tumors can occur in various organs of the body—such as the lungs, breasts, rectum, and even the blood. While different tumors may share some similarities, their growth and spread patterns vary. Tumor cells can spread to other parts of the body—for example, lung cancer cells may spread to the bones and grow there. This process is called metastasis. When lung cancer spreads to the bones, it is still considered lung cancer, because under the microscope, the tumor cells in the bone still resemble lung cancer cells. Only when the cancer originates in the bone itself is it called bone cancer. Some tumors grow and spread rapidly, while others progress slowly. Different types of tumors also respond differently to treatment. Some tumors are best treated with surgery, some with drug therapy (chemotherapy), and others with radiotherapy. In most cases, the best results come from a combination of multiple treatment approaches.

• Tumor Staging
Doctors need to determine whether a tumor has spread from its original site to other parts of the body. The extent of this spread is described by staging. You may have heard someone say their tumor is at “Stage 1” or “Stage 2.” Knowing the stage helps doctors decide on the most effective treatment plan. Doctors can determine the stage of a tumor through various examinations. Generally, early-stage tumors (Stage 1 or 2) mean the cancer has not spread extensively, while late-stage tumors (Stage 3 or 4) mean more significant spread. Stage 4 is the most advanced. Please ask your doctor to explain your tumor’s stage and what it means for your treatment.

• Tumor Treatment Methods
The most common tumor treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Surgery can remove the abnormal tumor tissue. Surgeons may also remove part or all of the affected organ. For example, breast cancer surgery may involve partial or total removal of the breast, and prostate cancer surgery may involve removal of the prostate. However, surgery is not suitable for all tumors. For instance, the best treatment for blood cancers (such as leukemia) is drug therapy. Chemotherapy (short for chemical drug therapy) uses drugs to kill tumor cells or slow their growth. Today, the definition of chemotherapy has expanded beyond traditional cytotoxic drugs to include targeted drugs, immunotherapy drugs, endocrine therapies, and hormone therapies. These drugs may be used alone or in combination. Some are given intravenously (through an injection into a vein), while others are taken orally. Theoretically, drugs can reach nearly all parts of the body. Radiotherapy can also be used to kill tumor cells or slow their growth. It can be used alone or combined with surgery or chemotherapy. Radiotherapy works similarly to X-rays and, in some cases, involves placing a radiation source directly inside the tumor to irradiate it from within.


Which Treatment Is Right for You?

The key to successful tumor treatment lies in choosing the most suitable therapy. Understanding your tumor type is the first step. Some tumors respond better to surgery, while others respond better to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In most cases, the best outcomes come from a multimodal treatment approach or multidisciplinary consultation, which is the internationally recommended standard. Tumor staging also helps doctors decide the optimal treatment. For example, systemic therapy, such as chemotherapy, may be more effective for Stage 3 or Stage 4 cancers.

When selecting the most appropriate treatment, doctors will also consider the patient’s physical condition and personal preferences. Since treatment may cause side effects, it is important to learn about them in advance. You have the right to know which treatment is most effective for your condition, as well as the possible side effects and how to manage them.