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Cancer Diagnosis And Treatment Of Cancer Essay

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Cancer is characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth, and it disrupts normal body function, as it increases energy demands and alters body systems. There are many factors that can lead to the development of cancers, including genetic, behavioral, and environmental influences. The presence of disease is not always obvious; therefore, it is imperative for individuals to participate in screening interventions to promote early detection. Cancer diagnosis and treatment requires a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach to care, which is inclusive of definitive diagnosis and staging, and the management of associated disease complications and side effects related to treatment.
Diagnosis and Staging of Cancer
Cancers may be identified through a variety of ways, including lab and imaging studies, and tissue biopsy. While lab studies provide important data to clinicians, the results are typically not conclusive enough to make a cancer diagnosis. Similarly, imaging studies are useful in determining characteristics vital to tumor assessment. However, a definitive diagnosis is almost always made through the microscopic examination of biopsied tissue (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2015). Tissue biopsies can be obtained through fine-needle aspiration, endoscopic or surgical intervention. Once a cancer diagnosis has been made, a system of staging is initiated. Staging is determined, concurrent with diagnosis, and generally describes the extent to which a cancer has

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