Cancer Part 1

Introduction
Neoplasia is a general term which means ‘new growth’. In normal physiology
there are mechanisms which regulate cell division and the generation of new
tissues. If these physiological mechanisms fail for any reason, cells may then
multiply at an increased rate. This will result in the presence of a greater number
of cells. These cells take up space and usually form lumps which are called
tumours. In leukaemia there is an uncontrolled growth of cells from the bone
marrow. These do not form tumours, as the excess numbers of abnormal cells
enter the blood. In either case when the increased numbers of cells present are
malignant, the condition is described as cancer. Cancer is not a single disease.
Over 200 different forms of cancer are recognised, depending on the primary
site of the malignancy.