A. We will answer this question in this and next blogposts.
About Cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by unregulated multiplication of cells. This uncontrolled growth of cancer cells consumes space and body function resources at the expense of the patient, which may result in organ dysfunction or even death. The behavior and characteristics of each form of cancer are different, as are the prognosis and chances of successful treatment.
Diagnosis of Cancer
A definitive diagnosis of cancer involves obtaining a piece of tissue from the suspected site, a procedure commonly known as a biopsy. A biopsy may be performed using a needle and either aspirating the tissue, obtaining a core sample of tissue, or surgically removing a piece of tissue. The tissue is then processed and evaluated by a pathologist and detailed in the pathology report. This pathology report contains information on size, depth, amount of infiltration into surrounding tissue, if there was any spread into the lymph nodes, and most importantly, the staging and grading.
Most cancers are graded as well-differentiated (or low-grade), moderately differentiated (or intermediate-grade), and poorly differentiated (or high-grade). Another grading system in use includes grades I to IV; grade I corresponds with low-grade and grade IV with high-grade. Still others have their own individualized grading system, such as Gleason’s grade for prostate cancer.
Cancer spreads by increasing in size, infiltrating surrounding tissues, spreading cells through the lymphatic channels to the lymph nodes, and spreading through the blood to distant organs such as lung, liver, or brain. The extent of the spread of the cancer at the time of diagnosis is termed by the stage, which also affects the outcome of a cancer.
In next blogpost, we will discuss life insurance underwriting and cancer.