cause_of_death ben bowen
Weight loss , in the context of medicine , health , or physical fitness , refers to a reduction of the total body mass , due to a mean loss of fluid , body fat or adipose tissue and / or lean mass , namely bone mineral deposits , muscle , tendon , and other connective tissue . Weight loss can either occur unintentionally due to malnourishment or an underlying ___MASK36___ or arise from a conscious effort to improve an actual or perceived overweight or obese state . " Unexplained " weight loss that is not caused by reduction in calorific intake or exercise is called cachexia and may be a symptom of a serious medical condition . Intentional weight loss is commonly referred to as slimming . Skin cancers are cancers that arise from the skin . They are due to the development of abnormal cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body . There are three main types of skin cancers : basal - cell ___MASK65___ ( BCC ), squamous - cell ___MASK65___ ( SCC ) and melanoma . The first two together along with a number of less common skin cancers are known as nonmelanoma ___MASK65___ ( NMSC ). Basal - cell cancer grows slowly and can damage the tissue around it but is unlikely to spread to distant areas or result in death . It often appears as a painless raised area of skin , that may be shiny with small blood vessel running over it or may present as a raised area with an ulcer . Squamous - cell cancer is more likely to spread . It usually presents as a hard lump with a scaly top but may also form an ulcer . Melanomas are the most aggressive . Signs include a mole that has changed in size , shape , color , has irregular edges , has more than one color , is itchy or bleeds . Greater than 90 % of cases are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the Sun . This exposure increases the risk of all three main types of ___MASK65___ . Exposure has increased partly due to a thinner ozone layer . Tanning beds are becoming another common source of ultraviolet radiation . For melanomas and basal - cell cancers exposure during childhood is particularly harmful . For squamous - cell cancers total exposure , irrespective of when it occurs , is more important . Between 20 % and 30 % of melanomas develop from moles . People with light skin are at higher risk as are those with poor immune function such as from medications or HIV / AIDS . Diagnosis is by biopsy . Decreasing exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the use of sunscreen appear to be effective methods of preventing melanoma and squamous - cell cancer . It is not clear if sunscreen affects the risk of basal - cell cancer . Nonmelanoma ___MASK65___ is usually curable . Treatment is generally by surgical removal but may less commonly involve radiation therapy or topical medications such as fluorouracil . Treatment of melanoma may involve some combination of surgery , chemotherapy , radiation therapy , and targeted therapy . In those people whose ___MASK36___ has spread to other areas of their bodies , palliative care may be used to improve quality of life . Melanoma has one of the higher survival rates among cancers , with over 86 % of people in the UK and more than 90 % in the United States surviving more than 5 years . Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer , globally accounting for at least 40 % of cases . It is especially common among people with light skin . The most common type is nonmelanoma ___MASK65___ , which occurs in at least 2 - 3 million people per year . This is a rough estimate , however , as good statistics are not kept . Of nonmelanoma skin cancers , about 80 % are basal - cell cancers and 20 % squamous - cell cancers . Basal - cell and squamous - cell cancers rarely result in death . In the United States they were the cause of less than 0 . 1 % of all cancer deaths . Globally in 2012 melanoma occurred in 232 , 000 people , and resulted in 55 , 000 deaths . Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of melanoma in the world . The three main types of ___MASK65___ have become more common in the last 20 to 40 years , especially in those areas which are mostly Caucasian . Radiation therapy or radiotherapy , often abbreviated RT , RTx , or XRT , is therapy using ionizing radiation , generally as part of ___MASK48___ treatment to control or kill malignant cells and normally delivered by a linear accelerator . Radiation therapy may be curative in a number of types of ___MASK48___ if they are localized to one area of the body . It may also be used as part of adjuvant therapy , to prevent tumor recurrence after surgery to remove a primary malignant tumor ( for example , early stages of ___MASK41___ ). Radiation therapy is synergistic with chemotherapy , and has been used before , during , and after chemotherapy in susceptible cancers . The subspecialty of oncology concerned with radiotherapy is called radiation oncology . Non - Hodgkin ___MASK35___ ( NHL ) is a group of blood cancers that includes all types of ___MASK35___ except Hodgkin ' s lymphomas . Symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes , ___MASK15___ , night sweats , weight loss , and feeling tired . Other symptoms may include bone pain , chest pain , or itchiness . Some forms are slow growing while others are fast growing . Lymphomas are types of cancer that develops from lymphocytes , a type of white blood cell . Risk factors include poor immune function , autoimmune diseases , " Helicobacter pylori " infection , ___MASK17___ C , obesity , and " Epstein - Barr virus " infection . The World Health Organization ( WHO ) classifies lymphomas into five major groups , including one for Hodgkin ' s ___MASK35___ . Within the four groups for NHL there are over 60 specific types of ___MASK35___ . Diagnosis is by examination of a bone marrow or lymph node biopsy . Medical imaging is done to help with cancer staging . Treatment depends on if the ___MASK35___ is slow or fast growing and if it is in one area or many areas . Treatments may include chemotherapy , radiation , immunotherapy , targeted therapy , stem cell transplantation , surgery , or watchful waiting . If the blood becomes overly thick due to antibodies , plasmapheresis may be used . Radiation and some chemotherapy , however , increase the risk of other cancers , heart ___MASK36___ or nerve problems over the subsequent decades . In 2013 about 2 . 96 million people had non - Hodgkin ___MASK35___ and 226 , 000 died . In the United States 2 . 1 % of people are affected at some point in their life . The most common age of diagnosis is between 65 to 75 years old . The percentage of people who survive five years in the United States is 71 %. A biopsy is a medical test commonly performed by a surgeon , interventional radiologist , or an interventional cardiologist involving extraction of sample cells or tissues for examination to determine the presence or extent of a ___MASK36___ . The tissue is generally examined under a microscope by a pathologist , and can also be analyzed chemically . When an entire lump or suspicious area is removed , the procedure is called an excisional biopsy . When only a sample of tissue is removed with preservation of the histological architecture of the tissue  s cells , the procedure is called an incisional biopsy or core biopsy . When a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle in such a way that cells are removed without preserving the histological architecture of the tissue cells , the procedure is called a needle aspiration biopsy . Biopsies are most commonly performed for insight into possible cancerous and inflammatory conditions . ___MASK41___ is ___MASK48___ that develops from breast tissue . Signs of ___MASK41___ may include a lump in the breast , a change in breast shape , dimpling of the skin , fluid coming from the nipple , or a red scaly patch of skin . In those with distant spread of the ___MASK36___ , there may be bone pain , swollen lymph nodes , shortness of breath , or yellow skin . Risk factors for developing ___MASK41___ include being female , obesity , lack of physical exercise , drinking alcohol , hormone replacement therapy during menopause , ionizing radiation , early age at first menstruation , having children late or not at all , older age , and family history . About 5  10 % of cases are due to genes inherited from a person ' s parents , including BRCA1 and BRCA2 among others . ___MASK41___ most commonly develops in cells from the lining of milk ducts and the lobules that supply the ducts with milk . Cancers developing from the ducts are known as ductal carcinomas , while those developing from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas . In addition , there are more than 18 other sub - types of ___MASK41___ . Some cancers , such as ductal carcinoma in situ , develop from pre - invasive lesions . The diagnosis of ___MASK41___ is confirmed by taking a biopsy of the concerning lump . Once the diagnosis is made , further tests are done to determine if the ___MASK48___ has spread beyond the breast and which treatments it may respond to . The balance of benefits versus harms of ___MASK41___ screening is controversial . A 2013 Cochrane review stated that it is unclear if mammographic screening does more good or harm . A 2009 review for the US Preventive Services Task Force found evidence of benefit in those 40 to 70 years of age , and the organization recommends screening every two years in women 50 to 74 years old . The medications tamoxifen or raloxifene may be used in an effort to prevent ___MASK41___ in those who are at high risk of developing it . Surgical removal of both breasts is another preventative measure in some high risk women . In those who have been diagnosed with ___MASK48___ , a number of treatments may be used , including surgery , radiation therapy , chemotherapy , hormonal therapy and targeted therapy . Types of surgery vary from breast - conserving surgery to mastectomy . Breast reconstruction may take place at the time of surgery or at a later date . In those in whom the ___MASK48___ has spread to other parts of the body , treatments are mostly aimed at improving quality of life and comfort . Outcomes for ___MASK41___ vary depending on the ___MASK48___ type , extent of ___MASK36___ , and person ' s age . Survival rates in the developed world are high , with between 80 % and 90 % of those in England and the United States alive for at least 5 years . In developing countries survival rates are poorer . Worldwide , ___MASK41___ is the leading type of ___MASK48___ in women , accounting for 25 % of all cases . In 2012 it resulted in 1 . 68 million cases and 522 , 000 deaths . It is more common in developed countries and is more than 100 times more common in women than in men . A ___MASK96___ or intracranial neoplasm occurs when abnormal cells form within the brain . There are two main types of tumors : malignant or cancerous tumors and benign tumors . Cancerous tumors can be divided into primary tumors that start within the brain , and secondary tumors that have spread from somewhere else , known as brain metastasis tumors . All types of brain tumors may produce symptoms that vary depending on the part of the brain involved . These symptoms may include headaches , seizures , problem with vision , vomiting , and mental changes . The headache is classically worse in the morning and goes away with vomiting . More specific problems may include difficulty in walking , speaking , and with sensation . As the disease progresses unconsciousness may occur . The cause of most brain tumors is unknown . Uncommon risk factors include inherited neurofibromatosis , exposure to vinyl chloride , Epstein  Barr virus , and ionizing radiation . The evidence for mobile phones is not clear . The most common types of primary tumors in adults are meningiomas ( usually benign ), and astrocytomas such as glioblastomas . In children , the most common type is a malignant medulloblastoma . Diagnosis is usually by medical examination along with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging . This is then often confirmed by a biopsy . Based on the findings , the tumors are divided into different grades of severity . Treatment may include some combination of surgery , radiation therapy and chemotherapy . Anticonvulsant medication may be needed if seizures occur . Dexamethasone and furosemide may be used to decrease swelling around the tumor . Some tumors grow gradually , requiring only monitoring and possibly needing no further intervention . Treatments that use a person ' s immune system are being studied . Outcome varies considerably depending on the type of tumor and how far it has spread at diagnosis . Glioblastomas usually have poor outcomes while meningiomas usually have good outcomes . The average five - year survival rate for brain cancer in the United States is 33 %. Secondary or metastatic brain tumors are more common than primary brain tumors , with about half of metastases coming from lung cancer . Primary brain tumors occur in around 250 , 000 people a year globally , making up less than 2 % of cancers . In children younger than 15 , brain tumors are second only to acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a cause of cancer . In Australia the average economic cost of a case of brain cancer is $ 1 . 9 million , the greatest of any type of cancer . ___MASK66___ is a cancer arising from the cervix . It is due to the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body . Early on , typically no symptoms are seen . Later symptoms may include abnormal vaginal ___MASK57___ , pelvic pain , or pain during sexual intercourse . While ___MASK57___ after sex may not be serious , it may also indicate the presence of cervical cancer . Human papillomavirus ( HPV ) infection appears to be involved in the development of more than 90 % of cases ; most people who have had HPV infections , however , do not develop cervical cancer . Other risk factors include smoking , a weak immune system , birth control pills , starting sex at a young age , and having many sexual partners , but these are less important . ___MASK66___ typically develops from precancerous changes over 10 to 20 years . About 90 % of cervical cancer cases are squamous cell carcinomas , 10 % are adenocarcinoma , and a small number are other types . Diagnosis is typically by cervical screening followed by a biopsy . Medical imaging is then done to determine whether or not the cancer has spread . HPV vaccines protect against between two and seven high - risk strains of this family of viruses and may prevent up to 90 % of cervical cancers . As a risk of cancer still exists , guidelines recommend continuing regular Pap smears . Other methods of prevention include : having few or no sexual partners and the use of condoms . ___MASK66___ screening using the Pap smear or acetic acid can identify precancerous changes which when treated can prevent the development of cancer . Treatment of cervical cancer may consist of some combination of surgery , chemotherapy , and radiotherapy . Five year survival rates in the United States are 68 %. Outcomes , however , depend very much on how early the cancer is detected . Worldwide , cervical cancer is both the fourth - most common cause of cancer and the fourth - most common cause of death from cancer in women . In 2012 , an estimated 528 , 000 cases of cervical cancer occurred , with 266 , 000 deaths . This is about 8 % of the total cases and total deaths from cancer . About 70 % of cervical cancers occur in developing countries . In low - income countries , it is the most common cause of cancer death . In developed countries , the widespread use of cervical screening programs has dramatically reduced rates of cervical cancer . In medical research , the most famous cell line known as HeLa was developed from cervical cancer cells of a woman named Henrietta Lacks . Benjamin David `` Ben '' Bowen ( November 14 , 2002 -- February 25 , 2005 ) , commonly called Big Ben Bowen , was a boy from Huntington , West Virginia , who was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in 2004 . His family has used his story to raise awareness of childhood ___MASK48___ and to raise almost $ 4 million for St . Jude Children ' s Hospital in Memphis , Tennessee . ___MASK2___ ( CRC ), also known as bowel cancer , is the development of cancer from the colon or rectum ( parts of the large intestine ). A cancer is the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body . Signs and symptoms may include blood in the stool , a change in bowel movements , weight loss , and feeling tired all the time . Most colorectal cancers are due to ___MASK31___ and lifestyle factors with only a small number of cases due to underlying genetic disorders . Some risk factors include diet , obesity , smoking , and lack of physical activity . Dietary factors that increase the risk include red and processed meat as well as alcohol . Another risk factor is inflammatory bowel disease , which includes Crohn ' s disease and ulcerative colitis . Some of the inherited genetic disorders that can cause colorectal cancer include familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary non - polyposis colon cancer ; however , these represent less than 5 % of cases . It typically starts as a benign tumor , often in the form of a polyp , which over time becomes cancerous . Bowel cancer may be diagnosed by obtaining a sample of the colon during a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy . This is then followed by medical imaging to determine if the disease has spread . Screening is effective for preventing and decreasing deaths from colorectal cancer . Screening is recommended starting from the age of 50 to 75 . During colonoscopy , small polyps may be removed if found . If a large polyp or tumor is found , a biopsy may be performed to check if it is cancerous . Aspirin and other non - steroidal anti - inflammatory drugs decrease the risk . Their general use is not recommended for this purpose , however , due to side effects . Treatments used for colorectal cancer may include some combination of surgery , radiation therapy , chemotherapy and targeted therapy . Cancers that are confined within the wall of the colon may be curable with surgery while cancer that has spread widely are usually not curable , with management being directed towards improving quality of life and symptoms . Five year survival rates in the United States are around 65 %. This , however , depends on how advanced the cancer is , whether or not all the cancer can be removed with surgery , and the person ' s overall health . Globally , colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer making up about 10 % of all cases . In 2012 , there were 1 . 4 million new cases and 694 , 000 deaths from the disease . It is more common in developed countries , where more than 65 % of cases are found . It is less common in women than men . ___MASK67___ , also known as carcinoma of the prostate , is the development of cancer in the prostate , a gland in the male reproductive system . Most prostate cancers are slow growing ; however , some grow relatively quickly . The cancer cells may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body , particularly the bones and lymph nodes . It may initially cause no symptoms . In later stages it can lead to difficulty urinating , blood in the urine , or pain in the pelvis , back or when urinating . A ___MASK36___ known as benign prostatic hyperplasia may produce similar symptoms . Other late symptoms may include feeling tired due to low levels of red blood cells . Factors that increase the risk of prostate cancer include : older age , a family history of the ___MASK36___ , and race . About 99 % of cases occur in those over the age of 50 . Having a first - degree relative with the ___MASK36___ increases the risk two to threefold . In the United States it is more common in the African American population than the white American population . Other factors that may be involved include a diet high in processed meat , red meat , or milk products or low in certain vegetables . An association with gonorrhea has been found , but a reason for this relationship has not been identified . ___MASK67___ is diagnosed by biopsy . Medical imaging may then be done to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body . ___MASK67___ screening is controversial . Prostate - specific antigen ( PSA ) testing increases cancer detection but does not decrease mortality . The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends against screening using the PSA test , due to the risk of overdiagnosis and overtreatment , as most cancer diagnosed would remain asymptomatic . The USPSTF concludes that the potential benefits of testing do not outweigh the expected harms . While 5 - reductase inhibitors appear to decrease low - grade cancer risk they do not affect high - grade cancer risk and thus are not recommended for prevention . Supplementation with vitamins or minerals does not appear to affect the risk . Many cases can be safely followed with active surveillance or watchful waiting . Other treatments may include a combination of surgery , radiation therapy , hormone therapy or chemotherapy . When it only occurs inside the prostate it may be curable . In those in whom the ___MASK36___ has spread to the bones , pain medications , bisphosphonates and targeted therapy , among others , may be useful . Outcomes depend on a person ' s age and other health problems as well as how aggressive and extensive the cancer is . Most people with prostate cancer do not end up dying from the ___MASK36___ . The 5 - year survival rate in the United States is 99 %. Globally it is the second most common type of cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer - related death in men . In 2012 it occurred in 1 . 1 million men and caused 307 , 000 deaths . It was the most common cancer in males in 84 countries , occurring more commonly in the developed world . Rates have been increasing in the developing world . Detection increased significantly in the 1980s and 1990s in many areas due to increased PSA testing . Studies of males who died from unrelated causes have found prostate cancer in 30 % to 70 % of those over age 60 . Signs and symptoms . Early prostate cancer usually has no clear symptoms . Sometimes , however , prostate cancer does cause symptoms , often similar to those of diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia . These include frequent urination , nocturia ( increased urination at night ), difficulty starting and maintaining a steady stream of urine , hematuria ( blood in the urine ), and dysuria ( painful urination ). A study based on the 1998 Patient Care Evaluation in the US found that about a third of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer had one or more such symptoms , while two - thirds had no symptoms . Surgery ( from the " cheirourgik " ( composed of  , " hand ", and  , " work "), via , meaning " hand work ") is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and / or treat a pathological condition such as ___MASK36___ or injury , to help improve bodily function or appearance or to repair unwanted ruptured areas ( for example , a perforated ear drum ). The five - year survival rate is a type of survival rate for estimating the prognosis of a particular ___MASK36___ , normally calculated from the point of diagnosis . Lead time bias from earlier diagnosis can affect interpretation of the five - year survival rate . ___MASK17___ B is an infectious ___MASK36___ caused by the hepatitis B virus ( HBV ) which affects the liver . It can cause both acute and chronic infections . Many people have no symptoms during the initial infection . Some develop a rapid onset of sickness with vomiting , yellowish skin , tiredness , dark urine and abdominal pain . Often these symptoms last a few weeks and rarely does the initial infection result in death . It may take 30 to 180 days for symptoms to begin . In those who get infected around the time of birth 90 % develop chronic while less than 10 % of those infected after the age of five do . Most of those with chronic ___MASK36___ have no symptoms ; however , ___MASK14___ and liver cancer may eventually develop . These complications result in the death of 15 to 25 % of those with chronic ___MASK36___ . The virus is transmitted by exposure to infectious blood or body fluids . Infection around the time of birth or from contact with other people ' s blood during childhood is the most frequent method by which hepatitis B is acquired in areas where the ___MASK36___ is common . In areas where the ___MASK36___ is rare , intravenous drug use and sexual intercourse are the most frequent routes of infection . Other risk factors include working in healthcare , blood transfusions , dialysis , living with an infected person , travel in countries where the infection rate is high , and living in an institution . Tattooing and acupuncture led to a significant number of cases in the 1980s ; however , this has become less common with improved sterility . The viruses cannot be spread by holding hands , sharing eating utensils , kissing , hugging , coughing , sneezing , or breastfeeding . The infection can be diagnosed 30 to 60 days after exposure . The diagnosis is usually confirmed by testing the blood for parts of the virus and for antibodies against the virus . It is one of five known hepatitis viruses : A , B , C , D , and E . The infection has been preventable by vaccination since 1982 . Vaccination is recommended by the World Health Organization in the first day of life if possible . Two or three more doses are required at a later time for full effect . This vaccine works about 95 % of the time . About 180 countries gave the vaccine as part of national programs as of 2006 . It is also recommended that all blood be tested for hepatitis B before transfusion and condoms be used to prevent infection . During an initial infection , care is based on the symptoms that a person has . In those who develop chronic ___MASK36___ , antiviral medication such as tenofovir or interferon may be useful ; however , these drugs are expensive . Liver transplantation is sometimes used for ___MASK14___ . About a third of the world population has been infected at one point in their lives , including 240 million to 350 million who have chronic infections . Another 129 million new infections occurred in 2013 . Over 750 , 000 people die of hepatitis B each year . About 300 , 000 of these are due to liver cancer . The ___MASK36___ is now only common in East Asia and sub - Saharan Africa where between 5 and 10 % of adults are chronically infected . Rates in Europe and North America are less than 1 %. It was originally known as " serum hepatitis ". Research is looking to create foods that contain HBV vaccine . The ___MASK36___ may affect other great apes as well . Signs and symptoms . Acute infection with virus is associated with acute viral hepatitis , an illness that begins with general ill - health , loss of appetite , nausea , vomiting , body aches , mild fever , and dark urine , and then progresses to development of jaundice . It has been noted that itchy skin has been an indication as a possible symptom of all hepatitis virus types . The illness lasts for a few weeks and then gradually improves in most affected people . A few people may have a more severe form of liver ___MASK36___ known as ( fulminant hepatic failure ) and may die as a result . The infection may be entirely asymptomatic and may go unrecognized . Medical imaging is the technique and process of creating visual representations of the interior of a body for clinical analysis and medical intervention , as well as visual representation of the function of some organs or tissues ( physiology ). Medical imaging seeks to reveal internal structures hidden by the skin and bones , as well as to diagnose and treat ___MASK36___ . Medical imaging also establishes a database of normal anatomy and physiology to make it possible to identify abnormalities . Although imaging of removed organs and tissues can be performed for medical reasons , such procedures are usually considered part of pathology instead of medical imaging . ___MASK91___ is the invasion of an organism ' s body tissues by ___MASK36___ - causing agents , their multiplication , and the reaction of host tissues to these organisms and the toxins they produce . Infectious ___MASK36___ , also known as transmissible ___MASK36___ or communicable ___MASK36___ , is ___MASK92___ resulting from an infection . Infections are caused by infectious agents including viruses , viroids , prions , bacteria , nematodes such as parasitic roundworms and pinworms , arthropods such as ticks , mites , fleas , and lice , fungi such as ringworm , and other macroparasites such as tapeworms and other helminths . ___MASK43___ , also known as gastric cancer , is cancer developing from the lining of the stomach . Early symptoms may include heartburn , upper abdominal pain , nausea and loss of appetite . Later signs and symptoms may include weight loss , yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes , vomiting , difficulty swallowing , and blood in the stool among others . The cancer may spread from the stomach to other parts of the body , particularly the liver , lungs , bones , lining of the abdomen and lymph nodes . The most common cause is infection by the bacterium " Helicobacter pylori ", which accounts for more than 60 % of cases . Certain types of " H . pylori " have greater risks than others . Other common causes include eating pickled vegetables and smoking . About 10 % of cases run in families and between 1 % and 3 % of cases are due to genetic syndromes inherited from a person ' s parents such as hereditary diffuse gastric cancer . Most cases of stomach cancers are gastric carcinomas . This type can be divided into a number of subtypes . Lymphomas and mesenchymal tumors may also develop in the stomach . Most of the time , ___MASK43___ develops in stages over years . Diagnosis is usually by biopsy done during endoscopy . This is followed by medical imaging to determine if the ___MASK36___ has spread to other parts of the body . Japan and South Korea , two countries that have high rates of the ___MASK36___ , screen for ___MASK43___ . A Mediterranean diet lowers the risk of cancer as does the stopping of smoking . There is tentative evidence that treating " H . pylori " decreases the future risk . If cancer is treated early , many cases can be cured . Treatments may include some combination of surgery , chemotherapy , radiation therapy , and targeted therapy . If treated late , palliative care may be advised . Outcomes are often poor with a less than 10 % 5 - year survival rate globally . This is largely because most people with the condition present with advanced ___MASK36___ . In the United States 5 - year survival is 28 % while in South Korea it is over 65 % partly due to screening efforts . Globally ___MASK43___ is the fifth leading cause of cancer and the third leading cause of death from cancer making up 7 % of cases and 9 % of deaths . In 2012 it occurred in 950 , 000 people and caused 723 , 000 deaths . Before the 1930s in much of the world , including most Western developed countries , it was the most common cause of death from cancer . Rates of death have been decreasing in many areas of the world since then . This is believed to be due to the eating of less salted and pickled foods as a result of the development of refrigeration as a method of keeping food fresh . ___MASK43___ occurs most commonly in East Asia and Eastern Europe . It occurs twice as often in males as in females . A symptom ( from Greek  , " accident , misfortune , that which befalls ", from  , " I befall ", from  - " together , with " and  , " I ___MASK13___ ") is a departure from normal function or feeling which is noticed by a patient , reflecting the presence of an unusual state , or of a ___MASK36___ . A symptom is subjective , observed by the patient , and cannot be measured directly , whereas a sign is objectively observable by others . For example , paresthesia is a symptom ( only the person experiencing it can directly observe their own tingling feeling ), whereas erythema is a sign ( anyone can confirm that the skin is redder than usual ). Symptoms and signs are often nonspecific , but often combinations of them are at least suggestive of certain diagnoses , helping to narrow down what may be wrong . In other cases they are specific even to the point of being pathognomonic . ___MASK48___ is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body . Not all tumors are cancerous ; benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body . Possible signs and symptoms include a lump , abnormal ___MASK57___ , prolonged cough , unexplained weight loss and a change in bowel movements . While these symptoms may indicate ___MASK48___ , they may have other causes . Over 100 types of cancers affect humans . Tobacco use is the cause of about 22 % of ___MASK48___ deaths . Another 10 % is due to obesity , poor diet , lack of physical activity and drinking alcohol . Other factors include certain infections , exposure to ionizing radiation and environmental pollutants . In the developing world nearly 20 % of cancers are due to infections such as hepatitis B , hepatitis C and human papillomavirus ( HPV ). These factors act , at least partly , by changing the genes of a cell . Typically many genetic changes are required before ___MASK48___ develops . Approximately 5  10 % of cancers are due to inherited genetic defects from a person ' s parents . ___MASK48___ can be detected by certain signs and symptoms or screening tests . It is then typically further investigated by medical imaging and confirmed by biopsy . Many cancers can be prevented by not smoking , maintaining a healthy weight , not drinking too much alcohol , eating plenty of vegetables , fruits and whole grains , vaccination against certain infectious diseases , not eating too much processed and red meat , and avoiding too much sunlight exposure . Early detection through screening is useful for cervical and ___MASK2___ . The benefits of screening in breast ___MASK48___ are controversial . ___MASK48___ is often treated with some combination of radiation therapy , surgery , chemotherapy , and targeted therapy . Pain and symptom management are an important part of care . Palliative care is particularly important in people with advanced disease . The chance of survival depends on the type of ___MASK48___ and extent of disease at the start of treatment . In children under 15 at diagnosis the five - year survival rate in the developed world is on average 80 %. For ___MASK48___ in the United States the average five - year survival rate is 66 %. In 2012 about 14 . 1 million new cases of ___MASK48___ occurred globally ( not including skin ___MASK48___ other than melanoma ). It caused about 8 . 2 million deaths or 14 . 6 % of human deaths . The most common types of ___MASK48___ in males are lung ___MASK48___ , prostate ___MASK48___ , ___MASK2___ and stomach ___MASK48___ . In females , the most common types are breast ___MASK48___ , ___MASK2___ , lung ___MASK48___ and cervical ___MASK48___ . If skin ___MASK48___ other than melanoma were included in total new cancers each year it would account for around 40 % of cases . In children , acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and brain tumors are most common except in Africa where non - Hodgkin lymphoma occurs more often . In 2012 , about 165 , 000 children under 15 years of age were diagnosed with ___MASK48___ . The risk of ___MASK48___ increases significantly with age and many cancers occur more commonly in developed countries . Rates are increasing as more people live to an ___MASK31___ and as lifestyle changes occur in the developing world . The financial costs of ___MASK48___ were estimated at $ 1 . 16 trillion US dollars per year as of 2010 . Definitions . Cancers are a large family of diseases that involve abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body . They form a subset of neoplasms . A neoplasm or tumor is a group of cells that have undergone unregulated growth and will often form a mass or lump , but may be distributed diffusely . Vaccination is the administration of antigenic material ( a vaccine ) to stimulate an individual ' s immune system to develop adaptive immunity to a pathogen . Vaccines can prevent or ameliorate morbidity from ___MASK91___ . When a sufficiently large percentage of a population has been vaccinated , this results in herd immunity . The effectiveness of vaccination has been widely studied and verified ; for example , the ___MASK87___ vaccine , the HPV vaccine , and the chicken pox vaccine . Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing infectious diseases ; widespread immunity due to vaccination is largely responsible for the worldwide eradication of smallpox and the restriction of diseases such as polio , ___MASK62___ , and tetanus from much of the world . The World Health Organization ( WHO ) reports that licensed vaccines are currently available to prevent or contribute to the prevention and control of twenty - five preventable infections . Chemotherapy ( often abbreviated to chemo and sometimes CTX or CTx ) is a category of ___MASK48___ treatment that uses one or more anti - ___MASK48___ drugs ( chemotherapeutic agents ) as part of a standardized chemotherapy regimen . Chemotherapy may be given with a curative intent ( which almost always involves combinations of drugs ), or it may aim to prolong life or to reduce symptoms ( palliative chemotherapy ). Chemotherapy is one of the major categories of medical oncology ( the medical discipline specifically devoted to pharmacotherapy for ___MASK48___ ). ___MASK54___ , also known as malignant ___MASK54___ , is a type of cancer that develops from the pigment - containing cells known as melanocytes . Melanomas typically occur in the skin but may rarely occur in the mouth , intestines , or eye . In women they most commonly occur on the legs , while in men they are most common on the back . Sometimes they develop from a mole with concerning changes including an increase in size , irregular edges , change in color , itchiness , or skin breakdown . The primary cause of ___MASK54___ is ultraviolet light ( UV ) exposure in those with low levels of skin pigment . The UV light may be from either the sun or from other sources , such as tanning devices . About 25 % develop from moles . Those with many moles , a history of affected family members , and who have poor immune function are at greater risk . A number of rare genetic defects such as xeroderma pigmentosum also increase risk . Diagnosis is by biopsy of any concerning skin lesion . Using sunscreen and avoiding UV light may prevent ___MASK54___ . Treatment is typically removal by surgery . In those with slightly larger cancers , nearby lymph nodes may be tested for spread . Most people are cured if spread has not occurred . For those in whom ___MASK54___ has spread , immunotherapy , biologic therapy , radiation therapy , or chemotherapy may improve survival . With treatment the five - year survival rates in the United States is 98 % among those with localized ___MASK36___ and 17 % among those in whom spread has occurred . The likelihood that it will come back or spread depends how thick the ___MASK54___ is , how fast the cells are dividing , and whether or not the overlying skin has broken down . ___MASK54___ is the most dangerous type of skin cancer . Globally , in 2012 , it occurred in 232 , 000 people and resulted in 55 , 000 deaths . Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of ___MASK54___ in the world . There are also high rates in Northern Europe and North America , while it is less common in Asia , Africa , and Latin America . ___MASK54___ is more common in men than women . ___MASK54___ has become more common since the 1960s in areas that are mostly Caucasian . Targeted therapy or molecularly targeted therapy is one of the major modalities of medical treatment ( pharmacotherapy ) for ___MASK48___ , others being hormonal therapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy . As a form of molecular medicine , targeted therapy blocks the growth of ___MASK48___ cells by interfering with specific targeted molecules needed for carcinogenesis and tumor growth , rather than by simply interfering with all rapidly dividing cells ( e . g . with traditional chemotherapy ). Because most agents for targeted therapy are biopharmaceuticals , the term " biologic therapy " is sometimes synonymous with " targeted therapy " when used in the context of ___MASK48___ therapy ( and thus distinguished from chemotherapy , that is , cytotoxic therapy ). However , the modalities can be combined ; antibody - drug conjugates combine biologic and cytotoxic mechanisms into one targeted therapy . A benign ___MASK90___ is a mass of cells ( ___MASK90___ ) that lacks the ability to invade neighboring tissue or metastasize . These characteristics are required for a ___MASK90___ to be defined as cancerous and therefore benign tumors are non - cancerous . Also , benign tumors generally have a slower growth rate than malignant tumors and the ___MASK90___ cells are usually more differentiated ( cells have normal features ). Benign tumors are typically surrounded by an outer surface ( fibrous sheath of connective tissue ) or remain with the epithelium . Common examples of benign tumors include moles and uterine fibroids . Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health . People are generally considered obese when their body mass index ( BMI ), a measurement obtained by dividing a person ' s weight by the square of the person ' s height , is over , with the range defined as overweight . Some East Asian countries use lower values . Obesity increases the likelihood of various diseases , particularly heart ___MASK36___ , type 2 diabetes , obstructive sleep apnea , certain types of cancer , and osteoarthritis . Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive food intake , lack of physical activity , and genetic susceptibility . A few cases are caused primarily by genes , endocrine disorders , medications , or mental ___MASK92___ . The view that obese people eat little yet gain weight due to a slow metabolism is not generally supported . On average , obese people have a greater energy expenditure than their thin counterparts due to the energy required to maintain an increased body mass . Obesity is mostly preventable through a combination of social changes and personal choices . Changes to diet and exercising are the main treatments . Diet quality can be improved by reducing the consumption of energy - dense foods , such as those high in fat and sugars , and by increasing the intake of dietary fiber . Medications may be taken , along with a suitable diet , to reduce appetite or decrease fat absorption . If diet , exercise , and medication are not effective , a gastric balloon or surgery may be performed to reduce stomach volume or bowel length , leading to feeling full earlier or a reduced ability to absorb nutrients from food . Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide , with increasing rates in adults and children . In 2014 , 600 million adults ( 13 %) and 42 million children under the age of five were obese . Obesity is more common in women than men . Authorities view it as one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century . Obesity is stigmatized in much of the modern world ( particularly in the Western world ), though it was seen as a symbol of wealth and fertility at other times in history and still is in some parts of the world . In 2013 , the American Medical Association classified obesity as a ___MASK36___ . ___MASK35___ is a group of blood cell tumors that develop from lymphocytes ( a type of white blood cell ). The name often refers to just the cancerous ones rather than all such tumors . Signs and symptoms may include enlarged lymph nodes , ___MASK15___ , drenching sweats , unintended weight loss , itching , and constantly feeling tired . The enlarged lymph nodes are usually painless . The sweats are most common at night . There are dozens of subtypes of lymphomas . The two main categories of lymphomas are Hodgkin ' s lymphomas ( HL ) and the non - Hodgkin lymphomas ( NHL ). The World Health Organization ( WHO ) includes two other categories as types of lymphoma : multiple myeloma and immunoproliferative diseases . About 90 % of lymphomas are non - Hodgkin lymphomas . Lymphomas and leukemias are a part of the broader group of tumors of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues . Risk factors for Hodgkin lymphoma include infection with Epstein  Barr virus and a history of the ___MASK36___ in the family . Risk factors for common types of non - Hodgkin lymphomas include autoimmune diseases , HIV / AIDS , infection with human T - lymphotropic virus , immunosuppressant medications , and some pesticides . Eating large amounts of red meat and tobacco smoking may also increase the risk . Diagnosis , if enlarged lymph nodes are present , is usually by lymph node biopsy . Blood , urine , and bone marrow testing may also be useful in the diagnosis . Medical imaging may then be done to determine if and where the cancer has spread . ___MASK35___ most often spreads to the lungs , liver , and / or brain . Treatment may involve one or more of the following : chemotherapy , radiation therapy , targeted therapy , and surgery . In some non - Hodgkin lymphomas , an increased amount of protein produced by the lymphoma cells causes the blood to become so thick that plasmapheresis is performed to remove the protein . Watchful waiting may be appropriate for certain types . The outcome depends on the subtype with some being curable and treatment prolonging survival in most . The five - year survival rate in the United States for all Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes is 85 %, while that for non - Hodgkin lymphomas is 69 %. Worldwide , lymphomas developed in 566 , 000 people in 2012 and caused 305 , 000 deaths . They make up 3  4 % of all cancers , making them as a group the seventh - most common form . In children , they are the third - most common cancer . They occur more often in the developed world than the developing world . ___MASK17___ C is an infectious ___MASK36___ caused by the hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) that primarily affects the liver . During the initial infection people often have mild or no symptoms . Occasionally a fever , dark urine , abdominal pain , and yellow tinged skin occurs . The virus persists in the liver in about 75 % to 85 % of those initially infected . Early on chronic infection typically has no symptoms . Over many years however , it often leads to liver ___MASK36___ and occasionally ___MASK14___ . In some cases , those with ___MASK14___ will develop complications such as liver failure , liver cancer , or esophageal and gastric varices . HCV is spread primarily by blood - to - blood contact associated with intravenous drug use , poorly sterilized medical equipment , needlestick injuries in healthcare , and transfusions . Using blood screening , the risk from a transfusion is less than one per two million . It may also be spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth . It is not spread by superficial contact . It is one of five known hepatitis viruses : A , B , C , D , and E . Diagnosis is by blood testing to look for either antibodies to the virus or its RNA . Testing is recommended in all people who are at risk . There is no vaccine against hepatitis C . Prevention includes harm reduction efforts among people who use intravenous drugs and testing donated blood . Chronic infection can be cured about 90 % of the time with treatments that include the medications sofosbuvir or simeprevir . Previous to this a combination of peginterferon and ribavirin was used which had a cure rate around 50 % and greater side effects . Getting access to the newer treatments however can be expensive . Those who develop ___MASK14___ or liver cancer may require a liver transplant . ___MASK17___ C is the leading reason for liver transplantation , though the virus usually recurs after transplantation . An estimated 130  200 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C . In 2013 about 11 million new cases occurred . It occurs most commonly in Africa and Central and East Asia . About 343 , 000 deaths due to liver cancer and 358 , 000 deaths due to ___MASK14___ occurred in 2013 due to hepatitis C . The existence of hepatitis C  originally identifiable only as a type of non - A non - B hepatitis  was suggested in the 1970s and proven in 1989 . ___MASK17___ C infects only humans and chimpanzees . ___MASK47___ , also known as lung ___MASK53___ , is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung . If left untreated , this growth can spread beyond the lung by the process of metastasis into nearby tissue or other parts of the body . Most cancers that start in the lung , known as primary lung cancers , are carcinomas . The two main types are small - cell lung ___MASK53___ ( SCLC ) and non - small - cell lung ___MASK53___ ( NSCLC ). The most common symptoms are coughing ( including coughing up blood ), weight loss , shortness of breath , and chest pains . The vast majority ( 85 %) of cases of lung cancer are due to long - term tobacco smoking . About 10  15 % of cases occur in people who have never smoked . These cases are often caused by a combination of genetic factors and exposure to radon gas , asbestos , second - hand smoke , or other forms of air pollution . ___MASK47___ may be seen on chest radiographs and computed tomography ( CT ) scans . The diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy which is usually performed by bronchoscopy or CT - guidance . Prevention is by avoiding risk factors including smoking and air pollution . Treatment and long - term outcomes depend on the type of cancer , the stage ( degree of spread ), and the person ' s overall health . Most cases are not curable . Common treatments include surgery , chemotherapy , and radiotherapy . NSCLC is sometimes treated with surgery , whereas SCLC usually responds better to chemotherapy and radiotherapy . Worldwide in 2012 , lung cancer occurred in 1 . 8 million people and resulted in 1 . 6 million deaths . This makes it the most common cause of cancer - related death in men and second most common in women after breast cancer . The most common age at diagnosis is 70 years . Overall , 17 . 4 % of people in the United States diagnosed with lung cancer survive five years after the diagnosis , while outcomes on average are worse in the developing world . Signs and symptoms . Signs and symptoms which may suggest lung cancer include :