What Happens to Cancer Cells After They Are Killed by Treatment?
This article explains what happens to cancer cells after they are killed by treatment, such as chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, surgery, or targeted therapy. You will learn how cancer treatment works, the types of cancer cell death, how cancer cells leave the body, and the side effects or complications that may occur due to cancer cell death. This article also provides tips and suggestions for managing and caring for cancer patients.
Cancer is a disease caused by the abnormal and uncontrolled growth and development of cells in the body. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body and damage healthy tissues, organs, and systems. Cancer can be life-threatening and requires effective treatment to stop or slow down its progression.
There are various types of treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, surgery, and targeted therapy. These treatments work by killing or destroying cancer cells, or preventing them from growing and dividing. However, what happens to the cancer cells after they are killed by treatment? How do they leave the body? And what are the possible side effects or complications of this process?
How do cancer cells die?
Cancer cells can die in different ways, depending on the type and stage of cancer, the type and dose of treatment, and the individual response of the patient. Some of the common ways that cancer cells die are:
- Apoptosis: This is the natural and programmed way of cell death, where the cell recognizes that it is damaged or abnormal and self-destructs. Apoptosis is also called "cell suicide" or "cellular suicide". Apoptosis is a controlled and orderly process that does not cause inflammation or harm to the surrounding tissues. Apoptosis is the preferred way of cancer cell death, as it prevents the release of harmful substances or signals that could trigger further growth or spread of cancer cells.
- Necrosis: This is the accidental and uncontrolled way of cell death, where the cell is damaged by external factors such as lack of oxygen, toxins, infection, or physical trauma. Necrosis is also called "cell murder" or "cellular homicide". Necrosis is a chaotic and messy process that causes inflammation and harm to the surrounding tissues. Necrosis is not the preferred way of cancer cell death, as it can release harmful substances or signals that could trigger further growth or spread of cancer cells, or cause an immune response that could damage healthy cells.
- Autophagy: This is the self-eating way of cell death, where the cell recycles its own components to survive under stress or starvation. Autophagy is also called "cell cannibalism" or "cellular cannibalism". Autophagy is a complex and dynamic process that can have both positive and negative effects on cancer cells. On one hand, autophagy can help cancer cells survive and resist treatment by providing them with energy and nutrients. On the other hand, autophagy can also lead to cancer cell death by degrading essential molecules or organelles, or by triggering apoptosis.
How do cancer cells leave the body?
Cancer cells can leave the body in different ways, depending on the location and size of the tumor, the type and dose of treatment, and the individual response of the patient. Some of the common ways that cancer cells leave the body are:
- Bloodstream: Cancer cells can enter the bloodstream through blood vessels that supply the tumor, or through the lymphatic system that drains the tumor. Cancer cells can then travel through the blood to other parts of the body, where they can form new tumors or metastases. This is how cancer spreads or metastasizes. However, cancer cells can also be killed or removed by the immune system or the treatment while they are in the blood. Cancer cells that die in the blood can be broken down by enzymes or phagocytes, or excreted by the kidneys or the liver.
- Lymphatic system: Cancer cells can enter the lymphatic system through lymph vessels that drain the tumor, or through the bloodstream. Cancer cells can then travel through the lymph to nearby or distant lymph nodes, where they can form new tumors or metastases. This is also how cancer spreads or metastasizes. However, cancer cells can also be killed or removed by the immune system or the treatment while they are in the lymph. Cancer cells that die in the lymph can be broken down by enzymes or phagocytes, or excreted by the spleen or the liver.
- Body fluids: Cancer cells can enter the body fluids through the tumor itself, or through the organs or systems that are affected by the tumor. For example, cancer cells can enter the urine through the bladder or the kidneys, the stool through the colon or the rectum, the saliva through the mouth or the throat, the sputum through the lungs or the bronchi, the bile through the liver or the gallbladder, the cerebrospinal fluid through the brain or the spinal cord, the pleural fluid through the chest or the lungs, the peritoneal fluid through the abdomen or the organs, the ascites fluid through the liver or the abdomen, the pericardial fluid through the heart or the chest, or the vaginal discharge through the cervix or the uterus. Cancer cells that enter the body fluids can be excreted by the body through natural or artificial means, such as urination, defecation, coughing, spitting, vomiting, drainage, or catheterization.
What are the possible side effects or complications of cancer cell death?
Cancer cell death can have both positive and negative effects on the body, depending on the amount and type of cell death, the location and size of the tumor, the type and dose of treatment, and the individual response of the patient. Some of the possible side effects or complications of cancer cell death are:
- Tumor lysis syndrome: This is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when a large number of cancer cells die rapidly and release their contents into the bloodstream. This can cause a high level of uric acid, potassium, phosphate, and calcium in the blood, which can damage the kidneys, the heart, the nerves, and the muscles. Tumor lysis syndrome can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, muscle cramps, seizures, irregular heartbeat, and reduced urine output. Tumor lysis syndrome can be prevented or treated by hydrating the patient, giving medications to lower the levels of uric acid, potassium, phosphate, and calcium in the blood, and monitoring the kidney function and the electrolyte balance.
- Cytokine release syndrome: This is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the immune system is activated by the treatment or the cancer cell death, and releases a large amount of cytokines into the bloodstream. Cytokines are proteins that regulate the immune response and the inflammation. However, too many cytokines can cause a severe and widespread inflammation that can damage the organs and systems. Cytokine release syndrome can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, rash, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, and organ failure. Cytokine release syndrome can be prevented or treated by giving medications to suppress the immune system or the inflammation, and monitoring the vital signs and the organ function.
- Infection: This is a common and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the immune system is weakened by the treatment or the cancer cell death, and allows bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites to enter and multiply in the body. Infection can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, sweats, cough, sore throat, runny nose, earache, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, skin rash, wound discharge, or pus. Infection can be prevented or treated by giving antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, or antiparasitics, and maintaining good hygiene and wound care.
- Anemia: This is a common and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the red blood cells are reduced by the treatment or the cancer cell death, and cause a low level of hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen to the tissues and organs. Anemia can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, pale skin, shortness of breath, chest pain, and irregular heartbeat. Anemia can be prevented or treated by giving blood transfusions, iron supplements, or medications to stimulate the production of red blood cells, and monitoring the hemoglobin level and the oxygen saturation.
- Bleeding: This is a common and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the platelets are reduced by the treatment or the cancer cell death, and cause a low level of clotting factors in the blood. Platelets are cells that help the blood to clot and stop bleeding. Bleeding can cause symptoms such as bruising, petechiae, nosebleeds, gum bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding, blood in the urine, stool, vomit, or sputum, and internal bleeding. Bleeding can be prevented or treated by giving platelet transfusions, clotting factors, or medications to stop bleeding, and monitoring the platelet count and the coagulation tests.
Conclusion
Cancer cell death is a complex and dynamic process that can have both positive and negative effects on the body. Cancer cells can die in different ways, such as apoptosis, necrosis, or autophagy, and leave the body in different ways, such as bloodstream, lymphatic system, or body fluids. Cancer cell death can also cause various side effects or complications, such as tumor lysis syndrome, cytokine release syndrome, infection, anemia, or bleeding. Therefore, it is important to monitor and manage the cancer cell death process, and provide appropriate support and care to the patient.
I hope this article can help you understand what happens to cancer cells after they are killed by treatment.
No comments:
Post a Comment