Cancer can cause life-threatening complications when it affects vital organs and their functions. It can disrupt or impair organs, nerves, or blood vessels, leading to organ failure and death. Though these complications look intimidating, almost all of these complications have medical management either to cure completely or to have symptomatic relief. We spoke to our expert Dr Sredharan M, Consultant - Surgical Oncology, Manipal Hospital, Goa, who explained the complications of cancer and how to manage it.
Understanding Cancer Development
"Our bodies constantly undergo wear and tear daily. Thousands of new cells are produced every day to replace old or damaged cells. Hence, a natural process of birth, growth, and death happens on a microscopic scale every day within our body", said Dr Sredharan.
He added, "Cancer develops when some cells become abnormal due to some genetic mutation developed either because of external factors (tobacco and alcohol) or because of internal factors in the body (ageing). These abnormal cells grow, multiply, spread, and also invade normal organs. When this happens, the organ starts to lose its function."
Also Read: Recurrence Of Cancer: Experts Explain Why, How, And What You Should Do?
Complications Caused by Cancer
Depending on the organ from which the cancer arises and the organs to which it spreads, it can cause multiple complications, some of which can be life-threatening. According to Cancer Research UK, how cancer causes death depends on the type of cancer and the parts of the body it affects. Some cancers originate in or spread to areas of the body that perform vital functions necessary for survival.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is one of the major factors causing death in advanced cancer. Cancer cells need large amounts of nutrition to survive and spread. They can 'starve' the normal cells by preferentially taking up the available nutrition in the body.
Dr Sredharan added, "Typical signs of malnutrition include muscle wasting, fatigue, and loss of lean body mass. Maintaining a healthy body weight is shown to improve cancer treatment outcomes. Although intermittent fasting is being advocated by some as a therapy to improve cancer survival, this treatment option remains experimental at this time of writing and care should be taken to avoid malnutrition."
Organ-Specific Complications
Four common organs to which the cancer cells spread are the liver, lungs, brain, and bones.
Liver
- Dysfunction of the liver can cause:
- Jaundice
- Inflammation of the abdomen caused by fluid accumulation (ascites)
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
It can also cause the accumulation of toxic metabolites in the body, which are usually cleared by the liver. When severe, this can cause brain dysfunction and even coma.
Lungs
Cancer cells in the lung can cause:
- Lung collapse
- Impaired oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange
This can present as trouble with breathing and lung infections, both of which can be life-threatening.
Bones
Cancer cells invading the bone can:
- Increase blood calcium levels
- Weaken bones lead to an increased risk of fractures
High calcium levels can also cause
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Heart dysfunction
Brain
Cancer cells spreading to the brain can cause:
- Headaches
- Vomiting
- Double vision
- Seizures
- Stroke
Also Read: Pancreatic Cancer: Expert Lists Important Tests To Detect This Cancer
Additional Complications
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Decreased Immunity
Cancer cells decrease the overall immunity of the body, which can present as frequent infections, especially affecting the lungs.
Blood Clots
Cancer cells in the normal bloodstream can cause blood clots to form inside the body. These clots are usually present in the legs and can spread to the lungs and heart, causing thromboembolism, which can be life-threatening.
Managing Complications
Dr Sredharan added, "While these complications may seem daunting, most of them can be managed medically, either to achieve a complete cure or provide relief from symptoms. These complications are common in persons with advanced cancers. That is why it is important not to ignore symptoms, such as a lump in the body, blood in the stools or cough, or any unexplained weight loss. It is not only much easier but also very economical to treat cancer in its early stages."
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert if you are dealing with any health issues to get the necessary treatment.]