Causes of cancer
Causes of cancer. In most individual cases, the exact cause of cancer is unknown. It’s likely that each case represents an interplay of several factors, which may include increased genetic susceptibility; environmental insults, such as chemical exposure or smoking cigarettes; lifestyle factors, including diet; and damage caused by infectious disease. Although they are not causes per se, a number of factors’including gender, race, age, and the health of the patient’s immune system’can influence the development of cancer. When common causes for a type of cancer are discovered, this information can be very helpful in prevention and sometimes in treatment. For example, the link between overexposure to the sun and skin cancer is well known, and individuals can easily reduce their risk of skin cancer by avoiding sun tanning and sunburns. Alcohol is associated with an increased risk of cancer of the esophagus, mouth, pharynx, larynx, liver, breast, rectum, and pancreas.
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Cauterization: The use of heat to destroy abnormal cells. Also known as diathermy and electrodiathermy.
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Caveola: An tiny pit, grotto, depression, incupping in the surface of a cell. The name “caveola” means little cave. The plural is caveolae. Caveolae normally function to facilitate the uptake of fluid by the cell. In the process of pinocytosis, the caveolae close and pinch off to form pinosomes, little fluid-filled bubbles within the cell. […]
- Cavernous hemangioma
Cavernous hemangioma: A type of hemangioma composed of blood-filled ‘lakes’ and channels. A cavernous henangioma is raised and red or purplish. Small cavernous hemangiomas on the surface of the body may be removed or treated by electrocoagulation. Surgery is sometimes needed.
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Cavernous sinus: A large channel of venous blood creating a “sinus” cavity bordered by the sphenoid bone and the temporal bone of the skull. The cavernous sinus is an important structure because of its location and its contents which include the third cranial (oculomotor) nerve, the fourth cranial (trochlear) nerve, parts 1 (the ophthalmic nerve) […]
- Cavernous sinus syndrome
Cavernous sinus syndrome: A condition characterized by swelling of the eyelids and the conjunctivae of the eyes, as well as paralysis of the cranial nerves that course through the cavernous sinus. It is caused by a cavernous sinus thrombosis.