Oncology

Skin cancer (treated in our oncology department) is a disease in which malignant cells form in the skin. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Skin cancer is common, but most cases are curable if caught early. Skin cancer is more likely to develop on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, lips and neck.

The symptoms of skin cancer vary depending on the type of cancer and where it develops on the body.

The symptoms are as follows:

• A suspicious or developing mole (called a melanoma)
• Wounds that do not heal after a month, especially on the face or hands.
• Other changes in moles that have been there for years.

What causes skin cancer?

Sun’s Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun damage the skin’s DNA and cause skin cells to grow abnormally. This damage can lead to skin cancer. Most people are exposed to UV rays every day without realising it because they spend time outdoors, especially during the peak hours of sunlight (10 to 14 hours).

Sun exposure is not limited to outdoor activities such as gardening and golf – even going out for lunch can increase the risk of developing skin cancer. UV exposure time is also important: the more hours you spend outdoors without sunscreen or protective clothing on your arms and legs, the more likely you are to develop skin cancer.

Sarcomas are cancers that start in the body’s connective tissue. Connective tissue is a type of tissue that supports and connects other types of tissue in the body. It is found in organs, muscles, bones, cartilage and blood vessels.

Sarcomas can occur almost anywhere in the body, but they are most commonly found in bones or muscles. They are also called soft tissue sarcomas because they develop in the soft tissues of the body, such as fat or muscle. Cancer cells grow quickly and invade surrounding healthy tissues and organs.

Sarcoma treatment

Sarcomas are rare but aggressive cancers that can affect any part of the body. They are usually treated with surgery followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The type of treatment depends on the origin of the cancer, its severity and whether it has spread to other parts of the body (metastasised).

There are many different types of sarcoma and they are treated differently:

Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) affects fatty and muscular tissues such as tendons and ligaments around joints, bone marrow cells, blood vessels, nerves, fat around internal organs such as the spleen, liver, spinal cord cells and bone marrow cells.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system. The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes, spleen and tonsils.

Lymphoma is a cancer that affects the lymphoid tissues that fight infections and other diseases. Lymphoid tissues include the lymph nodes and the spleen. Lymphoma can also occur in other parts of the body, such as the bone marrow and gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines).

Hodgkin’s disease is named after the English physician Thomas Hodgkin, who first described it in 1832.

In 1866, the French pathologist Georges de Morsier first described another type of lymphoma called non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).

Symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:

• Painless swelling of one or more lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
• Feeling tired or weak
• Fever
• Difficulty breathing

A brain tumour is a mass of abnormal tissue that develops in the brain. A tumour can be benign or malignant. Most types of tumour can be removed by surgery. Some tumours are inoperable and should be treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

What is a brain tumour?

A brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord. The cells grow out of control and form a mass called a tumour.

The term ‘brain tumour’ covers all the different types of lesions that occur in the central nervous system (CNS). These include:

– Benign (non-cancerous) tumours

– Malignant primary lymphomas of the CNS

– Brain tumours can cause a wide range of symptoms depending on their size, location and type of tissue. Some symptoms may include headaches, seizures, vomiting, personality changes, vision problems, and problems with balance and coordination.

Treatment depends on the type and location of the tumour. Surgery is often used to remove the tumour and, if necessary, surrounding tissue. Radiotherapy may also be needed to reduce the risk of recurrence. For some types of brain cancer, chemotherapy may also be recommended after surgery or radiotherapy.

Bone cancer (treated in our oncology department) is a rare disease that occurs when cancer cells form in the bone. The most common types of bone cancer are osteosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma and chondrosarcoma.

Bone cancer can occur at any age, but is more common in young adults. Women are more likely to develop the disease than men.

Symptoms of bone cancer include:

– Pain in the bones or joints

– Stiffness or swelling in the joints (especially in the hands and feet)

– A lump or swelling on the skin near a bone (such as the (femur) thigh, arm bone, pelvis or chest) that does not disappear with treatment.

Bone cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the bones. Bone tissue is made up of cells called osteoblasts and osteoclasts that contribute to bone strength and health. Osteoblasts make new bone tissue, while osteoclasts break down old bone tissue and replace it with new bone. If these processes go wrong, they can lead to the development of abnormal cells (tumours) that can invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body (metastases).

There are two main types of bone cancer: primary and secondary:

– Primary tumours develop directly from osteoblasts or osteoclasts in the bone marrow or cortex (outer layer) of long bones, such as those in the arms or legs.

– Secondary tumours can occur when cancer cells from another part of the body enter one of these areas through the bloodstream or lymphatic system and form abnormal tumours.