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3 cancers that develop quickly

Liver, pancreatic and lung cancer are among the cancer types that grow aggressively, and which can lead to the death of the patient mere weeks after diagnosis.

There is a great variation in the speed at which different cancers can develop. Even a type of cancer, which traditionally develops slowly, such as prostate cancer, can suddenly start developing very quickly.

Many types of cancer that are reputed to be aggressive and rapidly-developing, cause death swiftly after diagnosis, either because they were diagnosed too late, or they do not respond well to treatment.

Cancer of the liver is a particularly virulent type of cancer, and does not really respond to any chemotherapy.

The greatest cause of cancer of the liver is exposure to the contagious Hepatitis B-virus, which causes a type of jaundice, as well as exposure to aflatoxin, a toxic substance secreted by moldy peanuts, mealies and other grains. The majority of cases of cancer of the liver should be preventable by means of inoculation against Hepatitis B and by not ingesting products infected by fungus.

People who develop pancreatic cancer usually live mere weeks or months after the cancer has been diagnosed. Lung cancer – and smoking is definitely a factor here – is also a tough one. Although progress has been made in the treatment of lung cancer, most patients only live a few months after the diagnosis has been made.

Melanoma is also an extremely aggressive cancer. If detected early, the chances of recovery are high, but if the melanoma has penetrated a centimetre or two into the skin, the chance of its spreading to other organs is great, and it becomes a deadly cancer. Ovarian cancer is often also not detected in time.

Certain lymphomas (lymphatic cancers) certain types of leukaemia, and testicular cancer react positively to treatment and are regarded as curable.

The secret lies in early detection.

 (Mari Hudson, Health24)

 

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