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Cancer Is A Disease: The Cause Of Cancer

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Cancer is a disease in which cells grow out of control and invade, erode, and destroy normal tissue. It has sadly affected many people.
Damaged genes are the cause of this. Since mitosis - a process for cell division - and the cell cycle are controlled by genes, having damaged genes can cause the cell to go wrong. If it starts in just a single cell, it can replicate itself to make new cells that duplicate. In the cell cycle, cells can be in the G1 or G0 stage. Often cells leave G1 and enter G0 where they carry out their functions then die out or re-enter the cell cycle if needed. It is usually a balance. Contrary, some cells can not enter G0 and are destined to repeat the cell cycle indefinitely. These are cancer cells. As the very early damaged …show more content…
Likewise, thymic cancer starts in the thymus. The thymus is a small organ located just behind the breastbone (sternum) in the front part of the chest. The thymus is in a part of the chest between the lungs that also contains the heart, part of the aorta, the esophagus, part of the trachea (windpipe), and many lymph nodes. The thymus sits in front of and above the heart. Highlighted from The Endocrine Web the thymus function is, “Helping the body protect itself against autoimmunity, which occurs when the immune system turns against itself. Therefore, the thymus plays a vital role in the lymphatic system (your body’s defense network) and endocrine system.” Specifically, during adolescence, the thymus is instrumental in the production and maturation of T-lymphocytes or T cells, a specific type of white blood cell that protects the body from certain threats, including viruses and infections. As you age, the thymus secretes less and less white blood cells and instead turns into adipose tissue …show more content…
Cancer occurs when cancer cells form on the outside surface of the thymus. Thymic carcinoma is more aggressive and more difficult to treat than thymoma. People with thymoma cancer typically have an autoimmune disease as well, such as myasthenia gravis, acquired pure red cell aplasia, and rheumatoid arthritis. Also, thymic cancer is very rare and in the US-- only 400 cases per year, hence medical experts are unsure if there are specific causes. According to the American Cancer Society, roughly 4 out of 10 people have no symptoms when they’re diagnosed with thymic cancer. Many times, cancer is found during other medical tests or exams. When symptoms do occur, they may include a persistent cough, breathing difficulties, or chest pain. Because of how nonspecific the symptoms are, diagnosis can be delayed. Interestingly enough, some studies have suggested a possible link with this cancer with age. The American Cancer Society states, “The risk of this type of cancer goes up with age. This type of cancer is rare in children and young adults, is seen more often in middle-aged adults, and is most common in those in their 70s.” In relation to my life, my grandmother, was old (68 years) and had rheumatoid arthritis, which is a typical autoimmune disease associated with thymic

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